Colemanstown A Team 1 – 2 Maree Oranmore
Our A Team saw the end to their Michael Byrne Cup challenge as they conceded a last-minute goal at home on Saturday to lose 2-1. They matched Maree Oranmore pound for pound and had to be bitterly disappointed to leave Colemanstown without bringing the game to extra time. Even the opposition officials admitted they were fortunate to get the win when additional time looked ominous. Although success doesn’t seem to be on their side much this season, there’s isn’t much wrong other than translating performances into wins.
Chances were a-few in the first half for either side. Tom Flan put Colemanstown ahead on 5mins with a well struck free kick which took a deflection on its way. There wasn’t much more to whet the appetite as Oranmore were limited to shots from distance as Niall Gelston had to be vigilant to keep out a good shot from the right destined for the top corner. In the first half, the back line of Jason Finn, Richie Lally, Damien Wynne & Ronan Carr were solid with Quirky & Gary Lally helping out in front of them & Gelston was decisive between the posts. Colemanstown were happy at the break 1-0 up.
The 2nd half was only 4mins old when Maree/ Oranmore responded with the equaliser from a cross into the box which was finished well. Immediately the ball was worked down the right flank by Damo Wynne who found Kegs but he bulleted over. Ronan Carr was offered half a chance but he drilled low and hard and wide. As Colemanstown created most of the 2nd half chances, this time Mossy Carr founds Kegs whose effort was saved on the line by the keepers legs on 15mins. Then Gelstons great one handed save just had to have stung his fingers as he turned the ball around the post and out for a corner while Flan & Ryan Noone linked up only for the latter to fire to the left of the post.
Oranmore had a good chance which dipped over Gelston’s cross bar while Ryan Noone had another effort but a tame shot in the end was easily dealt with by Oranmore’s keeper. Ryan Noone & Kegs linked up well as Kegs cross was met on the volley by Dylan Grady who drove well over and into the playground. Quirky had to stoop low to get his head on the end of a diving header which also resulted in nothing while Colemanstown would have regained the lead but for a fine, flying save from the Oranmore custodian to deny a Flan free kick won by the hard working Ryan Noone. Three consecutive corners towards the 90minutes were defended as Colemanstown pushed hard right to the end for the winner. With 3mins into injury time when extra time looked certain, Oranmore broke on the counter , worked the ball down the right, crossed in towards the box & let fly past Gelston into the top corner. Immediately on kick off Colman Brady blew the whistle. It certainly wasn’t a result these lads deserved and certainly no shame in the defeat.
Colemanstown United U12 Boys 3 – 0 Corrib Celtic
A game that will be described by parents and players as you really had to be there to believe what you were seeing. The game started 10 minutes late due to difficulties from some at arriving on time to the grounds in Colemanstown on Saturday morning. The pitch was in really good condition with short grass and proved to be the reason for a very fast game. From the eventual first whistle, Darren Quirke and Thomas Screene dominated the attacking mid-field and linked up relentlessly with Dermot Parker and Joshua Lualdi for many half chances. Against the run of play it was actually the visitor’s who shot first on goal with a freak shot that required John Parker in goals to pull off a save to the top right corner. Each play started from the boys with quick kick outs to our back 3 of Cathal Maybin, Robbie Lydon and Adam Kenny who operated with a mean efficiency and simply didn’t entertain and direct play from the Annaghdown boys. Rian Donoghue acted as a defensive block in midfield and seemed to be always in the right place to disrupt a Corrib attack and help transition from defensive duties to attack.
All the hard work eventually got rewarded mid way through the first half when a nice lay off assist from Dermot Parker set loose the on rushing Darren Quirke to attack the Celtic back 3 and release a shot to the back of the net.
1-0 at the break and the introduction of Keelyn Kirby, Scott Donoghue, Caolan O’Neill and Daniel Booth energised the game for the middle third of the game in what was a high octane spectacle. Our second goal came straight out of the PSG playbook where Keelyn Kirby picked up the ball deep in the final third and took on the last Corrib defender at speed to rifle a shot through the goalkeepers hands at the near post. It felt like we were all watching a mid-week game in Paris!! The Colemanstown boys were now taking full control in each position of the field and more and more of the game was now played on the wings as Caolan O’Neill and newly introduced Finian Walsh were happy attacking with width. The wide game didn’t suit the visitors and stretched their spine through the middle to play out of position. Eventually this led to Adam Kenny finding a hole in mid-field as he cut inside from the wing to rifle a shot low to the butt of the post and in. The game at this stage was beginning to look out of reach for a comeback and with the introduction of Darragh Anderson and Jack Mannion with fresh legs in both attack and midfield the game was doubling down for a comprehensive win. Match Report by Robbie Parker