Men’s Div1: Colemanstown 4–3 Cregmore/Claregalway. Colemanstown welcomed Cregmore/Claregalway to the Astro on Friday night under lights. We started brightly, moving the ball well in the opening exchanges, but without creating many clear chances. Cregmore/Claregalway began to use their physical presence to go more direct, which caused problems for Colemanstown. The visitors struck three times in a 15-minute spell — the first from a cross on the right, the second from a quickly taken free-kick, and the third from a quick corner. Suddenly Colemanstown found themselves 3–0 down despite a promising start. Damien Wynne was introduced for Kyle Madden on 35 minutes, but the scoreline stayed the same going into the break.
Changes at half time injected fresh energy, with Thady Moran replacing Tomas Carr and Tiarnan Proulx coming on for Sean Hardiman. Richie Lally dropped into centre half, Thady moved to the left wing, and Tiarnan slotted into central midfield. The adjustments immediately paid off as Colemanstown came out with renewed urgency. Ten minutes into the second half, a short corner between Ray Moran and Richie Lally ended with Richie curling a superb strike into the top corner from the edge of the box. Moments later, Ray— excellent throughout — delivered a pinpoint cross for Kev Barrett, who powered home a header to make it 3–2. The equaliser soon followed, with neat play down the left from Thady Moran setting up Barrett for a simple finish. Colemanstown’s comeback was complete with about 10 minutes remaining when Damien Wynne’s work down the right picked out Ray Moran at the back post for a tap-in.
Cavan Attwood replaced Shane Quirke late on as Colemanstown saw the game out to seal a remarkable turnaround. From 3–0 down at half time, the team showed immense character and belief to fight back for a memorable 4–3 victory — a performance that must be applauded.
Next up for Colemanstown is an away trip to Cois Fharraige this Sunday
U14 Boys Connacht Cup: Colemanstown 3-4 Benbulben. Saturday last saw Colemanstown host Sligo side Benbulben at home in the Connacht cup. As the match got underway the teams appeared evenly matched with goal chances at both ends. The Colemanstown back line held tight with George Costello and Conor Saunders combining to fend off relentless threats from the Benbulben wing. Early in the game, Colemanstown applied pressure through the middle with Oisin Flannery and Tim Ruane which resulted in a great save by the Sligo keeper but the rebound placed the ball at the feet of Trevor Harlowe who calmly placed the ball in the back of the net on his debut. 1-0 to Colemanstown. The lead was short-lived however when four minutes later Benbulben equalised such was the intensity on the pitch. With 25 minutes played Se Laffy came on for Trevor Harlowe up front. Iarlaith Griffin provided instruction and direction to his back line but was called to make a few good saves as the games’ rapidity elevated. At half time the scores were all level at 1 apiece.
As the second half got underway an end to end game of football ensued. Sean Forde moved to midfield as Keelan Murray dropped into defence. With 40 mins played, Colemanstown brought in Phelim Flynn for Tim Ruane. Colemanstown pushed forward with consequence & won a corner. Mark Shaughnessey sent the ball sailing into the box, but the clearance came back to Mark Shaughnessey and his second delivery, across the goal was met with the foot of the perfectly positioned Thomas Kennedy who scored Colemanstown’s second goal to make it 2 – 1. Colemanstown kept the pressure on in the Sligo half and after a tight battle in the box drew a penalty. Sean Forde stood up and a powerful strike hit the crossbar. Aaron Burke came on for Mark Shaughnessey to help bring fresh legs to a solid midfield. Benbulben made some changes, increased the tempo and on 57 mins, whipped the ball down the wing which again culminated in another equaliser with the sides locked at 2-2. The Sligo team built momentum from their tipoff and one minute later found the Colemanstown net through a powerful strike to put them into the lead for the 1st time at 2-3. Colemanstowns defence switched on, linking play from Conor Saunders, George Costello and Keelan Murray who continued to push the ball into Benbulbens half for Oisin Flannery and Sean Forde to chase. The battle continued but at 62 minutes on the clock, Benbulben broadened their lead, scoring their fourth to make it 2-4. Trevor Harlowe came back on for Adam Mitchell who had put in a solid performance in the back line, coping well with immense pressure from the Benbulben winger throughout. The game was not over and Colemanstown found a second wind, piled on the pressure and with two minutes to go, brought it back to 3-4 from a commanding free kick from Keelan Murray. Try as they might for the remaining minutes, they just couldn’t force the elusive equaliser to bring the game to extra time. Final Score Colemanstown 3 – 4 Benbulben. Match Report: Brian Saunders
Squad: Iarlaith Griffin, Conor Saunders, George Costello, Sean Forde, Adam Mitchell, Thomas Kennedy, Keelan Murray, Oisin Flannery, Mark Shaughnessy, Tim Ruane, Trevor Harlowe, Se Laffey, Aaron Burke, Phelim Flynn.
U16 Girls Connacht Cup: Colemanstown 0 – 5 Knocknacarra ‘C’. Our U16 girls had a tough day at the office yesterday as Knocknacarra ‘C’ hit the ground running & showed their strength from start to finish. The opposition dominated every position on the pitch, making it a testing encounter for our young Colemanstown girls.
Emma Collins worked tirelessly between the posts in the 1st half & despite facing relentless pressure, stood up bravely to the challenge. In the 2nd half, Ruby Lynch stepped in as stand-in keeper & produced an excellent performance, pulling off some fine saves while also delivering strong & accurate kick outs to relieve pressure on the defence.
At the heart of the Colemanstown team, Grace Connolly gave a superb display & was central to everything positive. She was well supported by Muireann Roche, Shauna McDonagh & Aoife Walsh, who never gave up and worked hard in difficult circumstances. With many players absent for various reasons, the girls fielded with the bare 11, which made their determination & team spirit all the more commendable. Match Report: Niall Rohan
Squad: Emma Collins, Niamh Naughton, Grace Connolly, Leah O’Connor, Aoife Walsh, Maddie Rohan, Muireann Roche, Shauna McDonagh, Rachel Kennedy, Aoife Morris, Ruby Lynch.
Meanwhile our U18 Boys received a walk over against St Pats on Sunday in their latest league outing.