The weather played puck this past weekend with only 4 games played out of the 7 scheduled – those which fell victim to the inclement weather and unplayable pitches were: U12 Boys away to St Johns in Connacht Cup; U14 Boys home to Ballymoe in Connacht Shield and ‘A’ Team home to Knocknacarra in the league.
As well as our U16 & U17 boys (reported on earlier) our U12 Girls were also in action. Colemanstown’s U12 girls faced table toppers Craughwell on Sunday morning in St Colman’s Park. Opting to play against a stiff breeze in the first half the girls held their own for the first 15 minutes taking the game to the hosts with Ciara Somers and Kate Geary having the best of our early chances. Lucy Butler was regularly tested at the other end and kept Colemanstown in the game. Our midfield of Evie Cunniffe, Ailbhe Burke along with Maddie and Emily Rohan worked hard against some tall and strong Craughwell players.
Craughwell used the breeze to their full advantage with plenty of long balls over the top forcing Muireann Roche, Aoife Walsh and Niamh Naughton to be on top of their game. Craughwell scored 2 goals in the last 5 mins of the 1st half with identical finishes from a Haaland like number 7 in midfield for Craughwell. On both occasions she won possession in the centre of the pitch and with probing runs through the middle at pace she calmly slotted away both goals giving Lucy Butler no chance. Half time 2-0.
The Colemanstown heads were still high knowing they had the breeze at their backs and only for some fine saves from the Craughwell keeper in the 1st half the score could easily have been different. Tia Loughlane and Shauna McDonagh were introduced making their debuts for Colemanstown. Their presence was immediately noticed with some fine tackling and passing. Colemanstown pressed hard in the 2nd half with Emma Collins sweeping in some nice balls from the left and Niamh Lally likewise from the right. 15 minutes in and against the run of play Craughwell scored their third, a carbon copy of the first 2 goals from the unmarkable Craughwell No 7 in midfield. Van Dyke would have had a job to stop her.
Colemanstown did pull one back with 5 minutes remaining with Ciara Somers rewarded for her endless running all day. A clearance from the back from Niamh Naughton ended up forcing a corner for Colemanstown. Emily Rohan crossed in a great ball which Ciara somehow volleyed to the net. In the end time ran out for this hard working Colemanstown side.
This was another great performance from the girls. They definitely shouldn’t be disappointed with their display and never ‘give up’ attitude. Next up is Colga at home Sunday week in the Connaught Cup. Match Report by Niall Rohan
Squad: Lucy Butler, Muireann Roche, Aoife Walsh, Niamh Naughton, Emma Collins, Kate Geary, Evie Cunniffe, Shauna McDonagh, Niamh Lally, Ailbhe Burke, Emily Rohan, Tia Loughlane, Ciara Somers, Maddie Rohan.
Colemanstown Ladies 1 – 1 Boyle Celtic
Our Ladies finished 1-1 on Sunday away to Boyle Celtic in the RDFL League. Fielding with only the bare 11 players Colemanstown brought lots of heart and huge tackles to Boyle on the day. Colemanstown took the lead on 10mins with a sublimely taken effort slotted into the bottom corner by Rachel O’Brien. Colemanstown were always on the back foot as Boyle Celtic’s No. 10 did woeful damage with feet akin to Messi – dinking left, going right and then gone in a flash….. 20 mins into the game Boyle Celtic drew level as the female version of Messi went on a mazy run and hit a bullet of a shot to the roof of the net which Ashley Roberts in goal hadn’t a hell’s chance of getting to, such was the force behind the effort.
It took a while but the Colemanstown defence of Jessica Doherty, Sarah Kearney, Shauna Hynes & Rori Doherty along with Serena Hansberry in midfield soon acclimatised to her pace and shut the big No.10 down. Every time she got on the ball she had to deal with Katie Delaney and Serena Hansberry who were taking no prisoners. 1-1 half time.
In the 2nd half, the whole team had to dig deep playing into the stiff wind and a formidable Boyle Celtic team but the heart and bravery of the Colemanstown ladies was second to none. The amazing performance and agility of Ashley Roberts in goal no doubt had a big bearing on the outcome of this match as she robbed the hosts of many goal bound efforts with saves of all sorts with her feet, her body and her paws! Colemanstown gave nothing away cheaply and battled for everything with every player leaving every last ounce on the pitch. With no more goals by either team in the 2nd half and as the refs whistle blew in a downpour, Colemanstown walked off the pitch as though they won a Cup final – they knew they were in a match and they knew they had performed. They worked hard as a unit and to draw 1-1 with the best team in the league is not a bad statement. Final score from Boyle: Boyle Celtic Ladies 1 – 1 Colemanstown United Ladies. Match report by: Philip Dee.
Squad: Ashley Roberts, Rori Doherty, Shauna Hynes, Sarah Kearney, Jessica Doherty, Serena Hansberry, Rachel O’Brien, Claire Keane, Lucy Kenny, Rebecca Clancy, Katie Delaney.