Junior Div1: Colemanstown A 7–2 Athenry B. A Team put 7 past Athenry B. On a horrible wet & windy evening in Athenry, Colemanstown made light of the conditions to record an emphatic 7–2 victory in their third league outing. Colemanstown began brightly as they enjoyed plenty of possession & moved the ball well despite the swirling wind. Athenry were stubborn at the back & hard to break down until the breakthrough came on 25mins. A handball in the box gave Colemanstown a penalty & Kevin Barrett calmly dispatched from the spot to put Colemanstown in front. 10mins later, Mossy Carr doubled the lead with a thunderous strike into the top right corner which gave the keeper no chance. Colemanstown took a deserved 2–0 lead into half-time as the rain lashed down & conditions worsened.
5mins after the restart, former Athenry man Ray Moran netted against his old club but, in a show of respect, refused to celebrate. Mind you, since he only recently turned up to the Barna game in an Athenry drill top, it was probably just as well; he might have had both sets of supporters confused about who he was playing for!
Mossy Carr then stole the show, bagging two more goals in quick succession to complete his hat-trick by the hour mark to extend the lead to 5–0 and drew a warm applause from his own club mates. Managerial changes followed as Jack Dillon & Thady Moran entered the fray, before Éanna Burke replaced the impressive Shane Quirke (forced off with a knock) & veteran Sean Hardiman made way for Jamsie Collevy. The hosts rallied and briefly found some joy as they scored twice in quick succession to make it 5–2, but Colemanstown responded strongly.
On 83 mins Kevin Barrett struck again before completing his hat-trick five mins from time to seal a convincing 7–2 win. This was a great performance that blended youth and experience perfectly. Five players aged just 17–18 started: Kyle Madden, Shane Duffy, David Walsh, Shane Quirke & Aironas Kantauskas. Quirke, at just 17, was outstanding until injury curtailed his night, while Aironas also impressed with his composure & energy. This was a ruthless attacking display, coupled with the contribution of the younger squad members, made this a nice night to remember in tough conditions. Match report: Martina Donnellan
Squad: Alan Finn, Kyle Madden, Shane Duffy, Sean Hardiman, Ray Moran, Richie Lally, Aironas Kantauskas, Mossy Carr, Kevin Barrett, Shane Quirke, Cavan Attwood, Thady Moran, James Collevy, Jack Kennedy, Kerrill Hardiman, Eanna Burke, Jack Dillon.
BU12 Connacht Cup Colemanstown 1 – 1 St John Sligo. Colemanstown won 5 – 4 in shootout. The first round of the Boys U12 Connacht Cup game for Colemanstown vs. St Johns Sligo took place on Friday 12th September in Colemanstown, 7:30pm. There was great excitement during the week as this was the first opportunity for the U12’s Boys to play under the recently completed flood lights on the Astro Pitch. Conditions on the night were poor as the wind and rain did not relent. However this did not in any way take from the excitement and atmosphere and there was great support for both teams cheering on their players. Our starting team was Avey Mahon in goal, Eugene Kelly, Igor Ziolek and James Flaherty were the back three, Oisin Kelly, Cathal Burns and Conor Finnerty in the middle with James Vignoles and Patrick Collins up front. Our subs were Matthew Kelly, Kayden Brett and Martin Flemming. Colemanstown lost the toss and St Johns opted to play against the elements for the first half.
From an early corner we got the perfect start with a goal from James Flaherty finished to the net from close range. Despite our best efforts to push on and double the lead, St Johns held firm at the back and piled on the pressure on the Colemanstown defence. Avey Mahon made some vital saves in the first half to keep the score at 1 – 0 at half time but there was no doubt a big improvement was needed in the second half to sustain the St Johns attach as well as the wind and rain blowing in their favour. The second half started much the way the first half ended with St Johns forever present in the Colemanstown half. Despite some great defending St Johns eventually found the net when a cross from the stand side deflected to the net and it was all square at 1 – 1 with 20mins to play. The goal sparked our players to life and for the remaining twenty minutes both teams created good chances with an effort from James Flaherty just wide of the post and Cathal Burns hit the cross bar from a free. The game ended at 1 – 1 and it was straight to penalties and so the excitement and nerves continued.
St Johns took the first penalty and Avey Mahon made a great save to give us a good start. Cathal Burns calmly slotted our first penalty to the net. St Johns scored their next one and up stood James Vignoles for Colemanstown to make it 2 – 1. St Johns scored again and so did Conor Finnerty for Colemanstown. St Johns scored their fourth penalty to keep the pressure on and Oisin Kelly make no mistake for Colemanstown bringing the score to 4 – 3 with just 1 penalty left for both sides. St Johns scored their last penalty meaning Colemanstown had to score to win. Our last penalty taker was Martin Flemming who found the net to make it a great win 5 – 4 for Colemanstown. Hard luck to St Johns and thanks for a great game. Kudos to the parents who made the welcome sandwiches & looked after all things hospitality. We look forward to the next round of the Connacht Cup. Match report: Peter Kelly
Boys U17 Div1 Colemanstown Utd 6-3 Loughrea. Colemanstown United Kick Off season with Thrilling Win Over Loughrea in U17 Div 1 League Opener. Colemanstown United U17s made a statement in their opening match of the Boys Under 17 Division 1 League, securing a well deserved but hard fought 6–3 victory over Loughrea in a game that showcased grit, teamwork, and early-season promise.
From the first whistle, Colemanstown looked sharp and determined, pressing high and controlling possession in midfield. However, it was Loughrea that drew first blood with a well worked goal form a corner, 1-0 to the visitors and maybe at this point the ghosts of last year were going to hunt Colemanstown once more. But it wasn’t to be, our boys continued with their efforts, and it paid off midway through the first half when a slick passing move culminated in a well-taken goal by Tom Holohan, who calmly slotted the ball past the Loughrea keeper to draw level.
Colemanstown kept up the intensity, pushing forward in search of a double. Our persistence was rewarded when a defensive lapse allowed Sean Keating to pounce and double the score at 2–1. It was nearing the end of the first half and Loughrea found a leveller with some well worked play; 2-2 at break setting up a tense second half.
Colemanstown regrouped after the break, showing composure. Their backline held firm under pressure, while the midfield continued to dictate the tempo. The breakthrough came soon with a well placed free kick by Harry Tierney to make it 3-2, Harry who made his return after a few seasons of a break, soon followed that up with a second goal to make it 4-2.
The match felt very much in our grasps, but Loughrea had different intentions and kept probing and testing Tommy Nutley and our rearguard & this game was far from over. In the last quarter there was more action and drama, an unfortunate error by the visitor’s keeper gave Fionn Proulx the chance to score and make it 5-2. Loughrea responded very soon with one of their own making it 5-3. There was still work to do for our boys.
Despite late pressure from Loughrea, Colemanstown were able to extend the lead once more with Ryan Shaughnessy scoring on his first touch of the ball to make it 6-3 & a mountain high enough to climb for Loughrea and we held on to claim all three points. The win marks a strong start to the season and sets the tone for what promises to be an exciting campaign for us in the U17 Division 1 League.
The manager and supporters alike praised the team’s resilience and tactical discipline, with standout performances across the pitch. As the season unfolds, Colemanstown United will look to build on this momentum. Next up: a challenging away fixture to Athenry, but with confidence riding high, Colemanstown are ready to take on whatever comes their way. Match Report: Luca Lualdi
Squad: Tommy Nutley, James Somers, Fionn Proulx, Oisin Gavin, Mike Lally, Padraig Fallon, Tom Holahan, Tadhg Hart, Harry Tierney, Ryan Shaughnessy, Joshua Lualdi, Noah McDonnell, Sean Keating, Gearoid Walsh, Daniel Booth, Stephen Murphy, Fabian Carroll, Martin Mellody, Morgan Keogh, Jamie Lally.
U18 Boys Div1. Colemanstown United U18s Fight Back in Style to Beat Kiltullagh 4-2. Sunday, September 14th, 4:30pm in Colemanstown saw the U18s face Kiltullagh F.C. in their second Division 1 league outing of the season. Conditions were far from ideal, with wind and rain sweeping across the pitch, and in the first half the elements were firmly in Kiltullagh’s favour. But Colemanstown showed character, refusing to let history repeat itself with another slow start to the season, and instead battled back brilliantly to claim a 4-2 victory.
Colemanstown lined out in a 4-4-2 formation, with Joshua McDonnell starting at right full back after Tommy Muldoon was ruled out with the flu. McDonnell settled in superbly and delivered an excellent ninety minute performance. On the opposite side, Cathal Keane had his work cut out against Kiltullagh’s dangerous right flank. Ronan Screene working tirelessly to support where Kiltullagh’s No.10 and No.7 looked lively throughout. Centre backs Nathan Mannion and Conor Walsh laid down an early marker with some strong tackles, making it clear to Kiltullagh that this would be no easy contest.
Despite the wind, Colemanstown started the stronger side, keeping the ball well and creating the first clear openings. Just seven minutes in, Matthew Keane was fouled wide on the left, around 40 yards from goal. He delivered a dangerous free kick to the back post, where Mannion managed to keep it alive with a header back across goal. The ball fell kindly to striker Tomas Rogerson, who connected cleanly on the volley but was denied by the goalkeeper. Fifteen minutes later, another chance fell to Rogerson after Adam Doyle produced a brilliant solo run through midfield and slipped a pass into his feet. Rogerson turned smartly and created space for a shot from distance, but the ball shaved the outside of the post.
For all of Colemanstown’s good play, it was Kiltullagh who struck first. On 25 minutes, a free kick from the right was floated deep into the box. Goalkeeper Sean Cooke got a hand to it, parrying the ball clear, but the rebound dropped straight to the No.6, who smashed it high into the net before the defence could recover. Eight minutes later, the visitors doubled their lead. Exploiting space again down the right, their No.9 was left unmarked and launched a looping shot over Cooke and into the goal to make it 2-0.
Colemanstown reorganised at half-time, with Screene replaced by Shane Quirke. The switch saw Matthew Keane move to the right wing, Darren Moran shift left, and Quirke slot in alongside Rogerson up front.
The second half was a different story. Adam Doyle and Josh Buckley stamped their authority in midfield and Colemanstown began to turn the screw. Darren Moran tested the goalkeeper with a low drive that was brilliantly saved, before Shane Quirke combined with Matthew Keane, who fizzed a dangerous ball across the box to Rogerson, only for the Kiltullagh keeper to somehow keep it out again.
The breakthrough finally came 21 minutes into the half. Buckley broke down a Kiltullagh attack and quickly released Matthew Keane on the right. His low cross into the area was perfect for Rogerson, who connected sweetly with a first-time finish into the bottom corner. The goal lifted the Colemanstown lads, and within minutes they were level. Quirke picked up possession 30 yards from goal, danced past a couple of challenges, and unleashed an unstoppable strike into the top left corner. It was the kind of goal no goalkeeper in the world could stop, and it brought the game back to 2-2.
Momentum was firmly with Colemanstown now, and they pushed on for the winner. Doyle, tireless as ever, dispossessed his man deep inside his own half before launching a long, perfectly weighted through ball over the top. Darren Moran gambled on the run, and as he closed in on goal, he was clipped from behind and brought down just as he shaped to shoot. The referee pointed straight to the spot. Quirke stepped up with confidence and slotted the penalty calmly into the bottom right corner to complete a stunning turnaround at 3-2.
Kiltullagh tried to respond and almost equalised with fifteen minutes left when a long free kick was only half cleared, falling to a Kiltullagh player who drove a low shot towards the bottom corner. Cooke reacted superbly, getting down sharply to push it wide with a strong hand, a crucial save at a vital time. Shane Dempsey replaced Matthew Keane to boost the tired striking power for Colemanstown on 80mins.
With just five minutes remaining, Colemanstown sealed the win. A clearance from the Kiltullagh goalkeeper fell straight at the feet of Rogerson, who wasted no time in drilling a low strike into the bottom corner for his second of the game and Colemanstown’s fourth. The final whistle came and Colemanstown celebrated another hard earned three points. The lads showed huge character to recover from two goals down in difficult conditions, proving that this squad has the resilience and quality to compete at the top end of the Division 1 table. Final score: Colemanstown United 4 – 2 Kiltullagh Pioneers. Match report: Kara Mullins
Squad: Sean Cooke, Joshua McDonnell, Conor Walsh, Nathan Mannion, Cathal Keane, Matthew Keane, Josh Buckley, Adam Doyle, Rónán Screene, Darren Moran, Tomás Rogerson, Dylan King, Niall Grady, Shane Quirke, Tyler Collins, Shane Dempsy, Tommie Muldoon, Ryan Gavin. Management: Orla McCaffrey, Damien Mannion & Kara Mullins.