Colemanstown’s long wait to fulfil a fixture came to a welcome end at the weekend as the recent wet weather had wrecked havoc on our football schedule. It had been 9 weeks since our ‘A’, ‘B’ & U14 teams last fulfilled a fixture and a staggering 11 weeks since our U12 team last had a competitive outing. We had 4 games down for decision this weekend. First up were our u12 team away to Kilshanvey on Saturday morning. We fielded without our keeper Darragh Roche who was out through illness and centre back Conor Moran had to retire through injury early in the game. The game was 20mins old when Kilshanvey scored 2 goals in quick succession. Eoin Concannon responded, however, before the interval when he was perfectly positioned on the back post to slide in a cross from Ryan Noone as the keeper failed to get his hands to Noone’s cross. 2-1 at the break. Two quick goals soon after the restart put Kilshanvey in the driving seat as they got through rather easily to make it 4-1. Sean Hansberry made it 4-2 when he smashed into the top corner from 10yards after Liam Gormally’s free kick dropped nicely into the box. Colemanstown were right back into the game shortly afterwards as Eoin Concannon headed on a Kilshanvey kick out at midfield & Ryan Noone beat the offside trap to find the bottom corner as he celebrated with outstretched arms. 4-3 as the game was back on for our lads. One felt if the equaliser came we might steal a winner. These lads fought and fought as Michael Flattery hit the crossbar & Ryan Noone hit the post as their fighting comeback continued. But it was Kilshanvey who sealed the points on the break in the last minute with another well taken goal. Dara Hansberry did well in defense; Eoin Concannon & Sean Hansberry were solid in midfield, while Ryan Noone tried hard on the left wing and Michael Flattery showed a lot of magic up front. Well done also to stand in keeper Jamie Hession who put in a steady shift in his not so familiar position in goals.
Our U14’s were next up at home as they took on West Coast Utd who showed absolutely no travel effects after the long early morning trip from Letterfrack. It was a day our lads would sooner forget as nothing seemed to go their way. They play Kinvara away next Saturday at 2pm in the league. One good news story though for our u14 team from the weekend saw both Thady Moran & Ethan Lally selected following recent trials to take part in the U13 Galway League Centre programme. Huge congratulations as this is a big achievement for them both.
Our ‘B’ team took on Claregalway Celtic in Castlepark in their first competitive encounter since November 7th. Each player on duty epitomised a hard working attitude as Kevin Reilly drove the team on with mighty effort and great application. In fact he played with such style, hard work and took such knocks that he was like a supermodel & athlete rolled into one. This was a pretty level and disciplined game and Colemanstown may just have pipped it in terms of a marginally better overall team display and effort. Claregalway had the first chance on 10mins which drew a one handed Tom Broderick save to push the ball over the post as the resultant corner was headed off the line by the ever ready, and once again calm and collected Joe Finnerty. Then Martin Walsh’s timely intervention saved an almost certain goal as Colemanstown started to take over led by Keith Donnellan in centre back. Robbie Lally & Kevin Reilly combined well up front on numerous occasions. The next passage of play saw some great first touches on the ball as Sean Walsh, Kevin Reilly, Robbie Lally & Conor O’Grady linked up well before the latters shot was well held by the Claregalway custodian. Just on the stroke of half time Conor O’Grady’s header found the net from a Martin Walsh corner but the ref adjudged for a foul and a free out resulted instead. The 2nd half belonged to Colemanstown as they dominated possession and had the better chances but just failed to finish. Kevin Reilly had a few half chances and got in some great crosses to the danger area but unfortunately there was no one at hand to finish. Sean Walsh also had a penalty plea as he took on the defender and keeper who conspicuously took him down in a rugby type tackle but his penalty claim fell on deaf ears. Right at the death Steven Broderick had a chance to connect to another inch perfect cross from Reilly but he too failed to meet the cross. 0-0 it finished but was a classic to watch. Keith Donnellan put in a sterling display in defense, Padraig Quirke & Sean Walsh worked tirelessly in midfield, Conor O’Grady showed great exuberance on the left wing while Kevin Reilly was simply superb up front. Next up is Kilshanvey at home next weekend at 2pm and we’ll be hoping for a 2nd win of the season.
On Sunday our ‘A’ team took on city side Galway Hibs at home in their first league tie for 9 weeks. They were similar enough to our B team the previous day as they dominated in almost every sector of the field apart from what really matters…… scoring goals. They started confidently and easily took control in the first 10mins. Flan missed a sitter early on as he headed over the bar following a cross from Paddy Mullins on the right wing. On 20mins the visitors scored as they took advantage of a mix up between defenders and keeper which resulted in an easy tap in for Hibs No.9. However, it was Colemanstown who dictated the pace of the game predominately through Richie Lally, Gary Lally & Paddy Mullins; these trio being most creative & influential. On 35mins Colemanstown were awarded a free kick after Flan was taken down but Paddy Mullins hit the post with a rasper from 20yards. 1-0 half time. The restart saw Richie Lally rally the troops as he gathered possession of the ball and a 30yard drive from centre field found the top corner. This ignited our boys but despite a spirited display and plenty of possession, they could not convert their goal chances. Alan Finn then had a good effort as he took possession on the left of midfield, drove forward and hit from 30yards to draw a brilliant save from Hib’s 2nd keeper of the day, having lost their 1st keeper through injury in the first half. Colemanstown had a couple of other half chances through a Tom Flannery header and Lee Murphy failed by centimetres to connect to a Paddy Mullins cross for a tap in. With 10mins to go a Hibs free kick was headed home and left Niall Gelston in the Colemanstown goals with no chance. These lads need to shake themselves for next weekends encounter in the Connaught Cup vs Castlerea Celtic where we hope they’ll get back on winning ways. At least for now we’re back on terra firma and hopefully back in the normal routine of weekly football heretofore.