First up on Saturday morning were our U13’s who took on near neighbours St. Bernards in Abbeyknockmoy in their latest league affair. At this stage we’re awaiting confirmation from the GFA whether this result will stand as no official referee turned up to officiate so the game may have to be replayed. This match took 10mins to come to the boil but once it did, there was plenty of excitement and 7 goals in total. It was Colemanstown who took the lead from a Conor Moran corner which found Michael Flattery, just back from injury, who shot from outside the box but the rebound fell to Liam Gormally who scored his first goal for the club this season. Then livewire Conor Moran’s free kick whacked off the post and was subsequently cleared. Colemanstown’s advantage didn’t last too long as Bernard’s equalised 5mins before half time when Colemanstown’s slack defending let them down and Bernard’s went 2-1 up just before the break when a smashing shot from outside the box curled into the top corner. St. Bernards went 3-1 up soon after the restart when they capitalised on a poor kick out and the striker who found himself clean through on goal made no mistake. But this didn’t quite kill off our hopes as Colemanstown pulled one back 10mins into the second half following great work from Michael Flattery on the left wing whose superb cross found Ryan Noone who held his nerve to finish well. Bernard’s grabbed another goal to make it 4-2 when they beat the offside trap and slotted the ball in the corner. With 2mins left Colemanstown reduced the deficit to one when Eoin Concannon, at this stage playing at centre back played Michael Flattery on the left wing who in turn played Conor Moran whose cross found Anthony Feeney and Feeney struck a superb half volley into the top corner, the goal of the day and as good a goal you would see anywhere. Colemanstown kept the fight going right to the end in search of an equaliser and Michael Flattery saw his effort cleared off the line when pushing for the equaliser as Bernard’s defended their lead resolutely. 4-3 it finished to St. Bernard’s but the game may need to be put back into the fixture schedule as we await clarification from headquarters. Jason Connolly made a few top drawer saves, Michael Flattery didn’t lose any of his skill or commitment during his break through injury, Michael Ryan excelled at right back and live wire Moran was stuck in the middle of everything while Luke Lally did very well when introduced. Panel: Jason Connolly, Michael Ryan, Dara Hansberry, Conor Moran, Michael Flattery, Daragh Diskin, Sean Hansberry, Eoin Concannon, Liam Gormally, Josh McGuire Greaney, Daragh Roche, Ryan Noone, Luke Lally, Anthony Feeney Michael Concannon & Arter Nilkulins.
Later in the day David Gilligan’s charges were in action in a tough league encounter. No one would have grumbled if both sides would have taken a point from what turned out to be a an attractive league affair between our U15’s and Salthill Devon played at home yesterday morning while Colemanstown can count themselves unlucky not to have taken a point from the game. Colemanstown were under pressure for the first 10mins or so but dominated proceedings right up until the last 10mins when Salthill came more into it. Thady Moran, Alan Naughton, Keith Forde & Alan Loughrey all had chances but for every reason under the sun, just couldn’t find the net, while the Salthill keeper was a big factor as he was well to the fore. Neither team were able to penetrate either sides defence as they stood firm for almost the entire game. With 5mins to go Salthill finally broke through our rearguard in a move originated on the left side of the field by Salthill’s most feared player, the tallest U15 lad on the field at over 6ft, who crossed into the danger area and found the striker who finished well. Colemanstown tried in earnest to snatch an equaliser but it was not to be. Both our U13’s & U15’s have a free weekend next weekend.