Colemanstown’s A team put in an emphatic display under our Friday night lights with a resounding 8-0 win over Galway Bohs in their latest league outing tonight. From the off it was clear the lads meant business as they were relentless from the get-go & clinical in front of goal. The breakthrough came after just 3mins, when Ray Moran unleashed an exquisite strike from just outside the box that arrowed into the top corner. 2mins later, Jonah Donnellan delivered a pinpoint cross from the left which was met by Mossy Carr’s inch-perfect header to make it 2-0 within 5mins & give us a dream start. Colemanstown continued to press, with Kevin Barrett forcing a fine save from the Bohs keeper. On 23mins Shane Quirke found Jamsie Collevy on the left, whose dangerous cross caused confusion in the box & was turned into the net by an unfortunate Bohs defender for 3-0. Moments later, Mossy Carr drew another super save, while Ray Moran, with his back to goal, somehow contorted himself for a bicycle-style effort that deflected off a defender. Ray was again denied by the woodwork shortly after, but Kevin Barrett finally made it 4-0 when he calmly slotted home one-on-one after Shane Quirke’s tireless work in the build-up. Colemanstown went in at the break 4-0 to the good & dominant in every area.
The second half began in similar fashion, & within 5mins of the restart it was 5-0, as Ray Moran’s clever ball over the top found Kevin Barrett racing clear. Barrett showed real composure to bag his brace, as he raced ahead of the advancing keeper. 3mins later, he wasn’t far off a hat-trick. Fresh legs then entered the fray, Cian Ruane at centre back, David Walsh at left back & Tom Flannery up front. The changes had instant impact. On 62mins, Shane Duffy burst down the wing & whipped in a cross for Tom Flan, who was unmarked in the box & coolly tucked home No.6. Meanwhile in the stand, the young O’Grady trio of Ryan, Finn & Sully were putting on their own show, sprinting around barefoot & hiding each other’s shoes in the bottle return bin! The crowd were nearly as entertained by the youngsters as they were by the football on the pitch. Bohs had a rare chance with a free kick just outside the box, but the four-man wall stood firm. From the resultant corner, a bit of a scramble ensued but Alan ‘Junior’ Finn pulled off a superb one-handed save to tip the ball over. Then came goal No.7. David Walsh stepped up & unleashed a left-footed whopper of a free kick from 30 yards out near the dugouts that rocketed into the top corner. A strike any pro would’ve been proud of. Ray Moran twice went close again; first denied by the keeper’s boot, then he watched his lob effort well held by the keeper. Tommy Mellody made a welcome comeback appearance & Enda Cunniffe announced his arrival by rattling the ball off the joint of the post & the crossbar. Our 8th & final goal came courtesy of Sean Hardiman, who powered home a header at the back post from a beautifully delivered corner by David Walsh. It was no more than Hardy deserved after a tireless night’s shift & he marked it with his trademark celebration; finger in the air as he ran away from goal, looking like he’d just scored the winner in the Champions League final instead of No.8 on a Friday night in Colemanstown! Tom Flan nearly grabbed another, forcing a great save & Kevin Barrett hit the post as he chased that elusive hat-trick. Bohs had one late chance as they broke on the counterattack & clipped the crossbar but by then the outcome was well beyond doubt. It finished 8-0 & a statement performance from Colemanstown from start to finish.
It was fantastic to see so many children & families out enjoying the Friday night lights & great to see PJ Finnerty out on his feet again after his recent hospital holiday. Rumour has it he’s already planning his next one just to get out of finishing the shed at home! Final score from Colemanstown: Colemanstown 8-0 Galway Bohs. Match Report: Martina Donnellan