Colemanstown U16s 1 – 5 Tuam Celtic
Colemanstown U16s, current table toppers in the Championship were probably a bit like minnows as they were pitted against Premier league table toppers Tuam Celtic, the juggernauts! in the U16 Connacht Cup Quarter Final played in Kiltullagh Astro yesterday. Not alone facing into a David vs Goliath situation, the wind conditions were extreme making the game that bit harder. On top of that, add the fact that most of the team had played an hour of hurling earlier in the morning.
Nonetheless, the nervousness mounted when we realised there was a clash of jersey colours. Thanks to Pearses for coming to the rescue at very short notice as the lads had to don the black jersey instead of the regular green. In fact, there was a choice of 2 sets of jerseys in the end thanks to both Martin Scarry, Martin Barry & Eddie Mitchell.
Colemanstown played into the breeze in the first half, making it difficult to get a good cross in and play a meaningful passing game as the ball was held up with the breeze numerous times. There were occasions when the ball failed to stay stationery for long enough for a free kick. Both teams battled on though & just got on with it.
Tuam opened brightest and were 1-0 up after 5 mins when a defensive slip allowed Celtic to punish us. On 8 mins, good work by Tommy Mellody on the right flank found Luke Williams who displayed great footwork before his through ball to Harry Mitchell who was deemed to be offside. 4mins later Colemanstown equalised, a through ball from Luke Williams found Harry Mitchell who squeezed past the keeper although he did get a paw to it. On 21mins Tuam went ahead again, a ball from the right, out near the sideline, possibly sent in as a cross than a goal effort, evaded our defence & Fionn Flattery to sail in. Colemanstown received a let off when a free kick from 30 yards was saved by the feet of Fionn Flattery and the rebound was bulleted well over. In the next passage of play, Tuam made it 3-1 and an uphill task in the 2nd half for the boys in black when a cross from the left was powerfully headed home in the box. Colemanstown 1 – 3 Tuam Celtic at half time.
The 2nd half was only a minute old when Harry was taken down, very close to the box. Pleas for a penalty fell on deaf ears as Luke Williams saw his resultant free kick instead tipped over the crossbar by the keeper at full stretch. Straight up the other end, a similar tackle by Luke Williams was deemed to have fouled his man & immediately the ref pointed to the spot. A moment sugared with good fortune for Tuam & bad luck for Colemanstown. Fionn Flattery made himself big but it was dispatched well 4mins into the 2nd half. Luke Williams had a good effort when he latched onto a through ball from Jonah Donnellan but let fly from a good distance out but his effort was well held by the keeper. Another chance fell to Harry 26mins into the half after good work at the back by Ciaran Keating and Cathal Kennedy on the flank found Harry but a tame shot in the end was easily saved. Tuam Celtic turned the screw in the last kick of the game following hesitant defending at the back which fell to their striker who hammered home their 5th on the edge of the D. Final score: Colemanstown 1 – 5 Tuam Celtic.
Well done to Jason Finn who has these lads well coached & it’s plain to see. Also to Gareth Lally who made the trip to Kiltullagh after playing his own football match. This result may not have gone their way but to get to the Quarter final stage of a Connacht Cup competition is a great achievement in itself.
Squad: Fionn Flattery, Dara Scarry, Ciaran Keating, Aidan Ruane, Dean Connaire, Luke Williams, Jonah Donnellan, Jack Jordan, Tommy Mellody, Harry Mitchell, Jason Rabbitte, Eanna Burke, Cathal Kennedy, Kyle Madden, Johnny Keane.
Colemanstown U14A 3 – 1 Galway Bohs
Colemanstown U14A Team travelled to Galway Bohs on Saturday for yet another away game in their Division, having not played a home match since mid-November!
Colemanstown started strongly with Darren Moran and Daniel Lydon up front putting pressure on the home kick outs. The first attempt came from an attempted volley by Darren Moran in the box which sailed just wide. Colemanstown central midfield of Joshua Buckley and Conor Walsh covered every inch of the pitch in the first half, feeding the forward line while supporting their defence. Tomas Rogerson and Matthew Keane on the wings made some excellent runs up the sidelines laying the ball off well for their teammates. The home defence was well organised and strong throughout the match and made some well-placed tackles.
First goal came for the visitors passing play between Joshua Buckley, Conor Walsh and a chip into the box from Darren Moran which Daniel Lydon got on the end of to place the ball perfectly into the net. The central defence of Jamie Burke and Cillian Roche were solid in their tackles and tracking of the home attackers, while Nathan Mannion and Cathal Keane in right and left back worked hard all match with some excellent interceptions and played some lovely passing balls to midfield. Cillian Roche went on one of his trademark runs up the pitch with lovely footwork to get past 2 challengers but his final shot went just wide of the mark. The home team kept the pressure up resulting in 3 corners which were dealt with by the defensive line and Joshua McDonnell in goals. Joshua was also on his toes to save a couple of good shots taken by Bohs and send the ball up to the midfield. 1-0 at the break.
The second half saw Cillian Roche move to goalkeeper and Joshua McDonnell move up front. The second goal of the match came from solid defensive work by Cathal Keane to send the ball up the line to Darren Moran whose shot was saved by the home keeper, but Darren’s follow up hit the back of the net despite the best efforts of the Bohs defender to keep it out. Colemanstown really upped their communication and passing play in the second half, retaining possession well. Colemanstown’s third came a few minutes after the second. Matthew Keane was fouled just outside the box and took the free kick himself, crossing it perfectly to the head of Darren Moran to place it in the Bohs goal. Tomas Rogerson had a shot saved shortly after. Cillian Roche was strong in goals and fed the forwards with some lovely passes, one of which resulted in Joshua McDonnell’s shot just wide of the mark. The home team scored one back with three of their players on the attack resulting in a shot inside the box into the bottom right leaving the Colemanstown keeper no chance. The home team kept the pressure on looking for more and hit the crossbar on one occasion. The visitors shored up the defence to maintain their lead with 5 in defence for the last few minutes to keep the home team out and maintain their lead, with several timely tackles and interceptions from the back line. Again as with the last match the Colemanstown lads have really upped their passing game and showed some lovely movement all through the match, supporting each other and maintaining possession in their pursuit of the win. It remained 3-1 at the final whistle. The result leaves Colemanstown at the top of their Division half way through the season.
A word of thanks to U15 Manager Gary Broderick who travelled over to help out with the Colemanstown team- it was much appreciated!
Squad: Joshua McDonnell, Cathal Keane, Jamie Burke, Cillian Roche, Nathan Mannion, Tomas Rogerson, Joshua Buckley, Conor Walsh, Matthew Keane, Daniel Lydon, Darren Moran
Managers: Orla McCaffrey, Gary Broderick. Match report by Orla McCaffrey
We acknowledge the effort put in by Orla who manged to mentor her team despite hobbling around with crutches whilst nursing torn ligaments. It shows the effort she puts in as coach with this team.
Colemanstown U14B 1- 5 Barna Furbo B
Our U14B team were at home to Barna Furbo in near perfect football conditions on Saturday. Although going 2-0 down within 12 mins, they upped their performance after conceding the early goals. They dominated the game from here on and on the 25th minute, their dominance was rewarded with a goal through a Tyler Collins free kick – Tadhg Hart taken down to earn the free. 2-1 half time
Most of the play throughout the 2nd half was played in the middle third of the field keeping our midfielders James Somers on his first game for the U14s, Tadhg Hart, Sean Keating & Tommie Muldoon rather busy. Tadhg Hart, Caolean Caulfield & Francis Weldon had a few half chances as both defences were on top. Lucy Roberts bossed proceedings at the back assisted by Tiernan Malone, Tyler Collins & Niall Grady.
Three 2nd half goals by the visitors killed off our challenge. Dylan King pulled off a super safe for the visitors 5th goal but they followed up on the rebound to bang it home past a stranded Dylan. We give a special mention to Libby Kennedy who rushed straight from U14 trials to play her part in this game. Thanks to Barna – Furbo for giving both Libby & Lucy a worthy mention in their match report. Aaron Lindsay – Bane also did well when sprung from the bench although just couldn’t find the net. Although the final score may suggest otherwise, Colemanstown were well in this game. The only difference – they took their chances; Colemanstown will rue their missed opportunities. We wish Erin Black a speedy recovery with a broken toe while Niamh Kennedy was also a big loss through illness. Thanks to Dec Greaney for the match notes.
Squad: Dylan King, Tiernan Malone, Lucy Roberts, Tyler Collins, Niall Grady, James Somers, Tadhg Hart, Sean Keating, Tommie Muldoon, Caolean Caulfield, Francis Weldon, Aaron Lindsay-Bane, Libby Kennedy.