It was a busy weekend of football following the resumption of the 2nd half of the ‘21/‘22 season after a 2 week extended Christmas break granted by the GFA in an attempt to halt the surge in covid cases.
First up on Saturday were our U15s who took on Premier league juggernauts Knocknacarra in Round 4 of the FAI National Cup in what was anticipated to be a David vs Goliath battle. However, it was far from that as it was tit for tat in the opening half with chances a few to both teams. Colemanstown’s back 4 were on top with Josh Buckley, Cillian Roche, Diarmuid Ryan & David Walsh showing no nonsense in their defending. Colemanstown had the best chance of the half on the quarter hour mark when Shane Duffy rounded the keeper but a perfectly executed last ditch tackle from a Knocknacarra defender ensured the ball was swiped from Duffy’s toe as he was about to pull the trigger. Knocknacarra came close with a header which was powered over the crossbar.
Within 2mins of the restart Cillian Roche fired over a long range free, earned by Jonah Donnellan. Colemanstown received a let off 4mins later when the ball seemed to be heading towards the net, hit the butt of the post & the rebound was walloped over the crossbar. Dylan Murphy headed a Knocknacarra corner away from danger but as Knocknacarra latched onto the loose ball, again they pumped it unhandsomely over. As Knocknacarra appeared on the ascendancy and in a good passage of play again, Josh Buckley made a vital interception at the opportune time to ensure the game maintained scoreless. A half chance fell to Shane Duffy but Knocknacarras’s defender did well to concede a corner. Cillian Roche also made a vital interception as the lively crowd in the stand were starting to contemplate the possibility of extra time.
With 12mins on the clock, an act of cruelty was inflicted on Colemanstown as our centre back hand-balled & the resultant penalty was well dispatched past Fionn Flattery, although Fionn guessed correctly. A very late second half double after that helped Knocknacarra to what looked like a comfortable win but to be fair all their strikes came in the last 12 mins. Colemanstown 0 – Knocknacarra 3
Squad: Fionn Flattery, Josh Buckley, Diarmuid Ryan, Cillian Roche, David Walsh, Michael Fallon, Cathal Kennedy, Jonah Donnellan, Kyle Madden, Tiernan Lohan, Shane Duffy, Dylan Murphy, Jamie Lally, Matthew Keane, Darren Moran, Sean Connolly.
Our U13s took on a far superior Westport team in Round 4 of the SFAI Cup at home on Saturday. Westport were dominant from the off with an impressive display & indeed the score could have been much more only for some outstanding stops from Tommy Nutley in goal. Harry Tierney scored Colemanstown’s sole goal early in the first half, when he chested down a kick out from the keeper, showed great control & volleyed home an unmerciful strike from almost the half way line. Westport keeper had to make some fine stops from Tadhg Hart (2) & Tom Holohan while Noah McDonnell hit the crossbar from a tight angle in the 2nd half. The defense line of Tadhg Bardell, Jamie Lally, Sean Keating, Conor Keating, Joe Carroll & Michael Lally all challenged well at different stages throughout the game. This was a tough baptism although well done to the lads on making it through to this stage in a tough competition.