Mac Dara 0 – 4 Colemanstown United U12 Boys
Kick-off was delayed by 20 minutes at Carraroe Astro as the ref was making a decision to play the game on a pitch that was 10 meters too short of the minimum regulation, however the game kicked off on the U11 size pitch with the Colemanstown boys eager to stretch their legs after the long journey. Our back 3 remained unchanged with Riain Donohue, Adam Devaney flanking Robbie Lydon at centre back. John Parker in goals behind them and as the first half ticked on, the horizontal wind was the biggest challenge for the Colemanstown rearguard. Half chances were falling to Jack Mannion and Adam Kenny up front, but the Mac Dara goalkeeper was equally up to the challenge on what was becoming a very difficult morning to play in the weather conditions. Cathal Maybin slotted into the right side of midfield seamlessly and was working hard at breaking up Mac Dara play as he sat up countless attacking transitions on the right side of Carraroe Astro.
0-0 at half time and the Reiteoir ran to the Clubhouse while the boys found shelter from the 15 minutes downpour at half time. In the second half Dermot Parker and Joshua Lualdi were sprung from the bench to join up with the attacking forces of Darren Quirke and Thomas Screene who were operating as attacking mid-fielders. Almost immediately, Darren found the ball at his feet and curled a controlled dink to the back of the net for our opening goal. The boys didn’t have long for their second as Adam Devaney was pushing himself forward all morning. This time he found the ball at his feet to strike at goals from 10 yards to score his first of the season from his left-back position. As the second continued, Dermot Parker swapped positions with Thomas Screene and very soon Thomas found himself bearing down to blast a shot to billow the net behind the Mac Dara keeper who was in fantastic form between the posts. At this stage Mac Dara were beginning to play long balls from the back on every possession play. The Colemanstown boys were getting wise to this approach and on every occasion, Darren, Thomas, Joshua and Dermot were collecting the ball and setting up a shot on goal.
Towards the end of the game, one of those chances fell to Dermot Parker who slotted the ball through the Mac Dara centre back and found it’s way under the body of the goalkeeper. 4 – 0 to the visitors in the final game of the season and the result cements a 4th place League position behind (1) Kiltullagh Pioneers, (2) Kinvara United and (3) Merlin Woods. The boys can now reflect on what they have achieved during the 16-game league campaign and what can be improved for next season at U13 level. The boys can also look back at a successful campaign in the cup competitions where they found results across the Connacht region against clubs in higher divisions in the Connacht Cup and FAI Cup. These opportunities have given the boys an insight into the standards and styles of play across Connacht and will help shape their own abilities in the years to come.
A word of thanks to all parents who have supported the efforts of the U12 Boys team all season long. Without this support and understanding it simply isn’t possible to play a full successful season from August through to June. Thank you to Nutley Agri Services as our main sponsor and has ensured that the boys are kitted out like real professionals week in-week out. Finally a special word of thanks from Colemanstown United to Jimmy and Becky Screene who sponsored a visit to Spiddal for a burger and chips on the way home from Mac Dara. The boys can take a well deserved rest and enjoy the importance of a break from football for a few weeks and we hope to see everyone back for pre-season later in the summer.
Match report by Robbie Parker