Colemanstown United U12 Boys 3 – 0 Salthill Devon B
Tuesday evening saw our U12 boys last home game of the season and they wanted to give the home crowd support something to shout about. In the opening minute of the game Dermot Parker from midfield set out the Colemanstown stall with intent as he smashed the ball off the crossbar in the games first attack. The game settled down after and some half chances fell to Joshua Lualdi and Thomas Screene up front as they kept the Devon defence on their toes. Jack Mannion was introduced with 20 minutes on the clock up front and immediately the shape of the attack changed as he set up a clever lay off from the left which reached Dermot Parker coming in at the back post who duly rifled a shot to the roof of the net for his first goal of the season. The first half wore on and nothing was between the teams.
In midfield Daniel Booth was constantly required to transition from winger to defender and tirelessly kept his position and discipline for the entire half. Darren Quirke was directing the flow of the game in the middle of midfield and tirelessly broke up any treat from Salthill coming through the middle third. John Parker was called upon in goals for some Salthill chances and in the last minute of the half, Devon pulled off a shot that was whistling into the top corner only for John to tip it out for a late corner.
1-0 at the break and nobody was feeling a win as the boys took on water. Adam Kenny was introduced up front for the start of the 2nd half and straight away Devon didn’t like the wide wing play that Adam played as he stretched the Salthill defence out of their preferred position.
Midway through the second half Keelyn Kirby was sprung from the bench and immediately Salthill were beginning to have nightmares in Colemanstown. The boys were now playing a deep attacking game where midfield ball was picked up by Adam Kenny, Darren Quirke, Dermot Parker and Keelyn Kirby and attacking the Devon rearguard. Multiple changes happened in the final 15 minutes of the game with the best of the chances falling to Keelyn who was desperately unlucky to not have bagged at least 2 as the ball whizzed by the post. With the game still in the balance, Dermot picked up the ball deep in midfield and ran at the Salthill defence and laid off an easy tap-in for Darren Quirke who at this stage deserved to get on the scoresheet.
Our 3rd goal came from Dermot Parker again who took a shot from 10 yards which was blocked by the keeper; however Dermot followed the ball through and blasted home for his second of the evening. David Barrett and Cathal Maybin were called into the midfield and their introduction only strengthened the Colemanstown attack as Keelyn Kirby skipped past the keeper only to find his shot saved by the Salthill defender with his hands. Keelyn stepped up and took a brilliant penalty which found the keeper guess correctly to his low right and got the ball away from danger. Soccer can be cruel sometimes for a striker as a brilliant piece of individual magic from Keelyn surely should have ended in a goal. It can’t be forgotten how effective the Colemanstown back 3 were for the entire game as Riain Donohue, Robbie Lydon and Adam Devaney simply didn’t put a foot wrong all evening and sometimes it’s forgotten the brilliance in playing football with simple decision making. Each Devon attack was always a 3-man effort from the boys as backup support was always provided.
Final score in Colemanstown, Colemanstown United 3 – 0 Salthill Devon. Match Report by Robbie Parker
Colemanstown U16s 4 – 0 Oughterard
Luke Williams scored twice to power Colemanstown to a 4-0 victory in their penultimate league game at home to Oughterard yesterday evening and must now win their remaining league game against Athenry if Jason Finns charges are to claim Championship silverware.
Colemanstown were quickest out of the blocks with Williams turning the tide in a manic 10minute spell for him as he claimed his brace. Jack Jordan provided the delivery for his first and not too long after Williams got on the end of a scramble in the box from a setpiece and was alert to finish. Jack Jordan followed up with a close range effort from 10 yards & Harry Mitchell got a tap-in when he capitalised on a slip up by the keeper to make it 4-0 at the break and as good as ending the contest. The home support nicely applauded their sides contribution by half time.
A few positional switches at half time saw the introduction of Jonathan Keane & Cathal Kennedy was introduced to the fray 10mins after the restart. Jack Dillon played a vital role in this morale boosting win with his overall link up play of the highest order. The second half action was up and down the field but Cian Ruane was commanding at the back, Luke Williams played with his usual heart on his sleeve, Ciaran Mulhern was up to his usual trickery and Jack Jordan & Harry Mitchell worked like horses. All in all a good team performance which brought with it a convincing win for the lads.
All roads will lead to Athenry for our final league game of the season which will decide the destiny of the league title. All support welcome as we wish the lads all the best.