It’s never an easy game when country folk travel to the city to take on the townies, but these bunch of Colemanstown ladies red necks are always up for any challenge. Not only had they the tracks of their wellies on the back of their legs coming home but the cuts and bruises from a hard fought victory.
Although the ladies had already beaten Corrib Rangers at home this season 1-0 they knew this away game would not come easy and that Corrib had a point to prove. The game started at a high tempo with Corrib putting together some nice passing movements and creating some goal chances but centre backs Sarah O’Connell and Emma Roche were equal to the challenge. Carmel Flannery had her work cut out for her at right back but Flannery as determined as ever didn’t give the pacy winger a sniff. Captain Orla McCaffrey got stuck in as usual and came on a lot of ball in the first 20mins. On a wide pitch Colemanstown stretched the Corrib side and beautiful diagonal balls over the top from Trish Burke on the right wing found strikers Anna Grant and Aisling Kelly in behind the Corrib defence but Colemanstown were unlucky not to take advantage of these opportunities. Colemanstown were well on top for the last 25mins of the first half and both sides went into the break 0-0.
After the team talk the ladies knew that they could win this game but the motto was to hold tight at the back and be patient and the goals would come. Shauna Ward worked like a trojan in midfield and was unlucky not to get her first goal of the season when she burst through the Corrib defense but a well struck shot was saved by the keeper. Trish Kelly and Kara Mullins were introduced to the game, Kelly giving the Corrib players a pain in the head from her constant work rate and crunching tackles. Mullins got on a lot of ball when introduced to midfield found Catherine Burke’s run from the right wing that left her in on goal. Burke’s positive first touch set her up perfectly for the shot and she chipped the on rushing keeper for an excellent finish that you wouldn’t even see in the premiership. Ruth Dempsey was added to the game with 10mins left to play. Dempsey was well involved in this fight before she even set foot on the field of play, almost getting herself a booking for throwing missiles onto the pitch in the first half. The Corrib team pushed for the equalizer with some chances and Marian Murray pulled off a vital save with 15 minutes to go. With less than 10mins left Mullins was brought down in the centre of Corrib Rangers half. She then took the free drilled a low ball straight towards goal and what looked like a save from the Corrib keeper she somehow managed to spill the ball; like a crouching tiger Dempsey pounced on the loose ball and put Colemanstown up 2-0. Two wins out of two for Colemanstown vs Corrib Rangers, nothing sweeter than beating the townies at home. Ladies play Shiven Rovers at home on Sunday at 4pm in the Connacht Quarter final. Please get out to support the women.
Report by Ladies team manager Kara Mullins