Some more top class writing by Ronnie Geraghty on the ‘A’ teams latest win over Hibs at home on Sunday. Thanks Ronan.
Colemanstown United – 4 Galway Hibs – 0
Our ‘A’ team had home advantage in the FAI Junior cup 1st round with the visitors from the Premier league Galway Hibs looking to inflict a third consecutive first round exit on the hosts. The game began at a blistering pace with tackles going in hard and for the most part fair in what was a proper cup tie from the outset. The hunger and attitude of the home team was top class and despite going two weeks since their away win to Mevue ‘B’ the lads picked up where they left off as they were first to every ball.
Just 10 minutes in and some very neat play in the middle from Alan Finn as he combined with John O’Brien before Alo’s ball to the back post found Dylan Grady who showed great composure to fire past the visiting keeper and open Colemanstown’s account. For the next 15 minutes the contest was hotly disputed in the middle of the park with Damo Wynne, Ray Moran and Mossy Carr working hard in the middle while our captain Alo showed no ill effects returning from injury as Colemanstown fought hard and fair to control the game in midfield while Dylan Grady on the right wing and John O’Brien up front were running at the Hibs defence at every opportunity.
Hibs weren’t without chances either during that period but the Colemanstown defence had an answer for anything that was thrown at them as Stephen Burke and Jason Finn thwarted anything that threatened the goal while Ronan Carr and Stephen Walsh kept the Hibs wingers quiet for the whole afternoon. When Hibs did manage to get an effort on goal they were met by the deputising Gareth Lally who turned from goalscorer to goal stopper with a superb performance of handling and distribution. Is there position this lad cannot play in?
25 minutes in and more hard work and determination in midfield from Damo Wynne and Alo Finn gave Ray Moran the opportunity to slide a perfect pass into the path of John O’Brien who got his 2nd in as many games with a cool finish under pressure from the Hibs defense. Colemanstown excelled for the next 15 minutes as some lovely tight passing play and clever movement created more openings in the Hibs rearguard and not long after the third goal arrived for the home side. Dylan Grady was fouled as he looked to cut in off the right wing and from the resulting free Alo Finn stung the keepers hands from all of 30 yards, however the fastest man to react in the box was Mossy Carr who fired home to take his tally to two also in two games and put the tie firmly in the control of the home side.
As everyone in attendance knew, Hibs were going to make a bold effort to get back in the game from the very start of the 2nd half and they started to dominate possession as Colemanstown sat deep and looked to play on the counter attack. Indeed Hibs had some half chances but defensively the back four were being marshalled excellently by Jason Finn and were always on hand to block or head clear when needed while Gareth in goal was at full stretch to touch a curling free kick against the post and moments later he got just enough on a long range effort from the Hibs striker to divert it against the bar and keep Colemanstown’s 3 goal advantage intact.
Dylan and Johno ran themselves ragged along with Alo and Mossy as Colemanstown searched for a fourth goal on the break while the fresh legs of Jack Kennedy, Shane Lally and Jarlath Healy helped maintain that threat and worked hard to defend and attack right to the last minute. With just under 15 minutes to go a quick break from Squelchy from right back set up another counter attack, some lovely passing between Jarlath Healy and Jack Kennedy created space for Squelchy on the right wing whose cross was pulled back perfectly to the edge of the box where Ronan Geraghty volleyed home the fourth to great applause.
This was a great performance and a well deserved win for the lads as they now await the second round draw which sees 12 teams remaining to fight for the three spots to represent Galway in the national draw.
Man of the Match – Dylan Grady – he took his goal brilliantly and never stopped running at the Hibs defence while putting in a great shift in defence and attack.
Squad: Gareth Lally, Stephen Walsh, Stephen Burke, Jason Finn, Ronan Carr, Dylan Grady, Ray Moran, Damien Wynne, Tomas Carr, Alan Finn, John O’Brien
Subs: Ronan Geraghty, Jack Kennedy, Shane Lally, Jarlath Healy