Colemanstown U18s 3 – 2 Athenry FAI Cup
Colemanstown U18s were 2-0 up and cruising early in the 2nd half thanks to goals from Tommy Mellody and Jason Rabbitte, but Athenry scored 2 quick fire goals early in the second half to bring them back into the game in this FAI Cup game played at home on Sunday afternoon. The game was evenly poised for the first 12 mins as both sides were getting accustomed to each other. Harry Mitchell had Colemanstown’s first chance when he made the keeper stretch well to gather his free kick. Colemanstown did not have to wait long after that though as Tommy Mellody chipped the keeper from a nice distance to spark the lads into life. Athenry’s first real chance presented on 17mins as the ball took a deflection and the resultant corner was hacked away by Ciaran Keating. A lovely chip from Jason Rabbitte for Tommy Mellody to run on to saw the Athenry custodian having to advance off his line to make the stop on 21mins. Jack Jordan drew an easy save while Jason Rabbitte certainly blew off any remaining cobwebs after his long sojourn with another fine strike which forced the keeper go down well. Harry Mitchell had another half chance but the keeper was quick off his line and just before the break Cian Ruane’s super strike from distance was also stopped on the line to ensure Colemanstown parted for the break 1-0 up.
Two second half changes saw Ciaran Mulhern & Ross Lally introduced for the start of the second half. Mulhern & Tiarnan Proulx must be commended for travelling straight from the Minor B Football final in Tuam Stadium where they beat Caherlistrane & proceeded to tog out in the green colours. Crippled as he was, Mulhern made an immediate impact. Some sloppy Colemanstown defending 6mins after the restart saw Luke Wilbur go down well to make a good stop. Wilbur was called into action 3mins later with a good one-on-one save & made a double stop moments later as Athenry brought themselves more into the game. Mulhern then orchestrated Colemanstown’s 2nd goal as he sprayed the ball out right to Tommy Mellody whose delivery into the box was over cooked, fell to Harry Mitchell who chipped a nice delivery into the box which Jason Rabbitte got a head on it to nod home his first of the season. It was Athenry who rallied though and 2mins later they clawed back a goal through an unmarked header from a corner to desired effect. Kyle Madden then was introduced up front and settled well into the game.
Athenry restored parity on 77mins when our rearguard failed to clear following a few shambled clearance attempts and the Athenry striker latched onto a loose ball to find the net. Suddenly the game was back on! Mulhern then saw his goal bound effort saved but soon after originated the move which produced the winner. Mulhern & Aironas combined as Harry had to work hard to get on the end of a chip over the top before he finished into the far corner, sliding over to the corner flag in celebration afterwards. Harry had another chance towards the end but blasted unhandsomely over. Athenry had a half chance deep into injury time to bring the game to extra time but a tame shot in the end saw Wilbur make an easy save. So 3-2 it finished as Colemanstown advance to the next round of the FAI Cup.
Squad: Luke Wilbur, Dean Connaire, Jonah Donnellan, Cian Ruane, Ciaran Keating, Aironas Kantauskas, Jason Rabbitte, Jack Jordan, Tommy Mellody, Harry Mitchell, Eanna Burke, Ciaran Mulhern, Ross Lally, Kyle Madden, Fionn Flaherty, Aaron Comar.
Colemanstown U16s 5 – 0 Salthill Devon B Div1
Although both sides were well familiar with each other from previous seasons, Colemanstown U16 Boys dominated Salthill Devon ‘B’ with a 5-0 home win in rain drenched Colemanstown on Saturday. On a day you’d be hard pushed to put the dog out, Colemanstown went at it hammer and tongs forcing a few early corners. They were eventually rewarded on 20mins as the visitors found it difficult to deal with the Colemanstown set pieces. The opener arrived through Josh Buckley when a Thomas Rogerson corner was whipped into the box, a goalmouth scramble ensued, the keeper saved but the rebound was poked home by Buckley who was lurking in the box. 5mins later No.2 arrived in similar enough fashion to the first, this time a right side corner swung in by Matthew Keane, headed away from danger, fell kindly to Roggie whose effort thundered off the crossbar, the deflection fell nicely for Cillian Roche who headed home the rebound. Roggie himself slotted home No3 from the penalty spot after he himself was taken down and not long before the break, he scored his 2nd and Colemanstown’s 4th with a trademark curling left sided corner which beautifully floated into the net as the Salthill defence struggled. The sides parted at half time for a brief reprieve from the lashing rain 4-0 to the good.
Joshua McDonnell was introduced at half time and immediately created chances up front. Josh Buckley originated the move & McDonnell provided the assist for our 5th goal in a wonderful early 2nd half move. A fantastic through ball from McDonnell for Roggie to run on to and he found himself all on his own, beat the offside trap and the advancing keeper to finish to the bottom right corner and claim his hatrick in the process. It was no more than Colemanstown deserved for workrate & work ethic alone. 5-0 and the song ‘I’m singing in the rain’ ‘ what a glorious feeling I’m happy again’ echoed in many ears. For the remainder of the game, the back four stood strong as Tyler Collins, Cillian Roche, Tommie Muldoon & Nathan Mannion never put a foot wrong and were rock solid all through. Matthew Keane, Josh Buckley, Cathal Keane together with Ronan Screene, Dylan King & Niall Grady outclassed their opponents with a slick display of pass-and-move football while up front Darren Moran worked hard and was unlucky not to find the net, Eibhear Colleran ignited many chances & Roggie provided the cutting edge. Josh Buckley’s presence alone freed up his midfield team mates around him while Joshua McDonnell wasn’t afraid to take a pop at goal. 5-0 it finished for Orla McCaffrey & Damien Mannion’s squad in their first convincing league win of the season & a clean sheet for Sean Cooke.
Squad: Sean Cooke, Tyler Collins, Cillian Roche, Tommie Muldoon, Nathan Mannion, Matthew Keane, Josh Buckley, Cathal Keane, Darren Moran, Eibhear Colleran, Tomas Rogerson, Joshua McDonnell, Ronan Screene, Dylan King, Niall Grady.
Colemanstown U12s 2 – 3 Moyne Villa Div 2
Our U12 Boys came from 3-0 down at half time to lose 3-2 in a battling 2nd half performance at home to Moyne Villa on Sunday. Although it took them a while to acclimatise to the pace of the game, Colemanstown clawed their way back into it with a super 2nd half display which made amends for the slumber 1st half start. Conor Saunders had a busy time in goals in the opening half as Daniel O’Dea, Sean Forde, Ritchie O’Connor & Adam Mitchell had to be quick thinking but the visitors were never likely to relinquish the stranglehold once they had it. Colemanstown made them work to maintain the lead in the 2nd half though as Kealan Murray won a penalty which he blasted over. The industrious Ritchie O’Connor clawed the first back following a super through ball from Kealan Murray at the back, O’Connor latched onto it & dispatched with relative ease under the keepers body. Kealan Murray made amends for the missed penalty soon afterwards with a super run involving Oisin Flannery and Murray slotted home with his right boot. The remainder of the game was a tight and cagey affair. Kealan Murray, captain Ritchie O’Connor & Oisin Flannery created a hatful of chances as Conor Saunders pulled off some super saves, as Caelan Noone, Marc Scarry, George Costello & Oran Cosgrove connected well on their introduction. Tommy Gooney & Tim Ruane were full of running on the wings in the first half when our backs were to the wall while Thomas Kennedy up front looked strong in attack. Try as they might to rescue a point, in the end time ran out on a battling U12 team.
Squad: Conor Saunders, Daniel O’Dea, Sean Forde, Ritchie O’Connor, Adam Mitchell, Tommy Gooney, Kealan Murray, Tim Ruane, Thomas Kennedy, Oran Cosgrove, Oisin Flannery, George Costello, Marc Scarry, Caelan Noone.
Our U15 Boys made the long spin out to Carraroe astro to take on McDara in their 2nd round of the league. It was a tough baptism in difficult underfoot & weather conditions. Morgan Keogh was the supplier of the sole Colemanstown goal.