This latest ladies league encounter played in Athenry on Wednesday evening had a bit of everything…. 2 new Diego Maradona’s, ‘Marydona’ and ‘Karadona’, a feast of goals, 12 in fact, all claimed by Colemanstown, 2 hat tricks one in each half scored by Kara Mullins and Mary Mellody and even unpaid bets. It was a game in which the scoreboard operator was by far the busiest person in Athenry as the hosts suffered a mauling at the hands of our ladies. Sadly for the hosts, our ladies were in “firing on all cylinders” mode, and effectively clocked up their biggest victory in their competitive history. They showed no mercy whatsoever in a one-sided affair as they walloped an Athenry mix of both young and old a whopping 12-0 and now have just to show up for the last league game of the season to claim the ladies trophy. It’s been another splendid season for them, having last won the 1st division title in 2014
It would bring you back to your school days when we all played ‘Next goal wins’ just to keep Athenry tuned into the game as they just wanted the game to end and our ladies just wanted it to go on and on and on …. but when it rains it pours…. There were loads of efforts from the word go, Catherine Burke, Anna Grant and Kara Mullins all having a go. But 10 minutes in, Tessa Mullins tucked home our first from close range after a corner from Grainne Barrett was added to by Catherine Burke and from there, our ladies coasted with 8 players getting on the score sheet. Kara Mullins then scored 3 consecutive goals in quick succession, one particularly outstanding top corner finish, while her second resulted from a header flick from Catherine Burke which Kara finished superbly with her boot. Natasha Finn finished the first half rout with a powerful drive from the edge of the 18 yard box to claim her 3rd goal of the season. 5-0 at half time and it was paying the bet time as Rachel king had dared Grainne Barrett to hit the woodwork for the crack and that’s exactly what she did. However there was no securicor van present to transfer her earnings to a more secure location! The second half saw a few changes to alter the dynamics of the game. Leanne O’Donovan was introduced as striker, Orla McCaffrey introduced to her old familiar role at left back while Mary Mellody was brought into the central midfield area in light of her powerful running while Kara Mullins was redeployed into one of her old familiar roles at centre back. In the 2nd half everyone tended to drift forward toward a more central-striking position while at times the ball was tapped back to the back line and keeper Rachel King just to give them a brief sniff of play. Getting into these more dangerous positions is what created the next 7 goals of the match for our girls. Our first goal in the 2nd half came from Anna Grant whose goal was well earned having squandered a few first half chances but this time her effort was perfectly finished. Ruth Dempsey then scored her first goal of the season with a rare header, rising highest in a crowded box to lob the keeper. Catherine Burke at this stage was also brewing for a goal and as Tess Mullins provided the assist with an inch perfect pass from the right and while Catherine Burke cut in from the corner flag she made no mistake in making it 7-0. ‘Marydona’ then got on the scoresheet with a real poachers goal as she was perfectly positioned on the back post to finish another cross from Tess Mullins after Mullins first cut through 5 players. Leanne O’ Donovan got No. 10 after a dinky one-two with Mary Mellody which was perfectly executed by Leanne and in doing so claimed her first goal for the club. The last 2 fell to super sub ‘Marydona’ who at this stage was mourning the fact that the family weren’t in attendance to see her first ever hat trick for the club. Catherine Burke was involved in the build up to her first goal as she passed into the danger area which saw Mary control with her left foot and finish superbly with her right. Her last goal came with minutes on the clock as she chipped the ball into the top right corner after a great passing movement down the field involving the mighty Orla McCaffrey, Anna Grant and Ruth Dempsey. The spirit of the team was excellent as everyone was there for each other.
The small Colemanstown hardy reliable supporters had plenty to celebrate…… two hat tricks in each half but in essence out ladies found themselves on the front foot after the first goal and the floodgates opened thereafter. On Sunday 19th June they play St Bernard’s away and with the result irrelevant at this stage, they should come away with the premier league silverware while on Wednesday 22nd they play Shiven Rovers at home in their last home game of the season, this time in the league cup; a win will secure a Cup final place in Eamon Deacy Park (Terryland). So well done ladies and bring on the next 2 games…. Watch this space, there’s more to come …..