U13 Boys Div2: Colemanstown ‘B’ 2-3 West Utd. On a cold and windy Saturday morning in Colemanstown with Christmas just around the corner, the home side welcomed West Utd. Due to a color clash, Colemanstown wore their away “AC Milan-inspired” black and red jerseys. Following a 6-0 loss to West Utd earlier in the season, the team opted for a defensive 5-4-1 formation. The lineup featured Avey Mahon in goal, behind a back five of Oisin Duane, Matthew Kelly, Conor Finnerty, Eugene Kelly, and James Flaherty. The midfield consisted of George Moore, Oisin Kelly, Cathal Burns, and James Vignoles, with Jamie Lally leading the line as the lone striker. The opening 15 minutes were cagey, with neither team settling. However, a ball over the top from West Utd led to a lack of communication between the Colemanstown defenders and keeper. The lines weren’t cleared, and West Utd took full advantage to make it 0-1. Soon after, Conor Finnerty was forced off with an injury, with Senan Proulx coming on to replace him in centre of defence. In the 24th minute, Avey Mahon did well to clear another dangerous through ball. However a minute later, following a Colemanstown clearance from a corner, the team was slow to the breaking ball allowing a West Utd player to get to it first, who then struck a wonderful shot into the goal that Avey could do nothing about, leaving the score 0-2 at the break.
Martin Fleming replaced James Vignoles at half-time, and the team re-started with much more effort. Early on, Cathal Burns played a lovely ball to Fleming, whose shot went just the wrong side of the post. Colemanstown then shifted to a 4-4-2 formation: Oisin Duane moved into midfield; Senan Prolux moved to right back; Martin Fleming joined Jamie Lally up top and George Moore moved to the left wing. The shift paid off in the 11th minute of the second half. Oisin Kelly worked space in midfield and took a shot that the keeper couldn’t hold; Martin Fleming was first to react to prod it home for 1-2. Minutes later, Martin Fleming nearly returned the favor with a through ball to Oisin Kelly, who was having a great game, but a great West Utd tackle denied the shot. At the back, Eugene Kelly, Senan Prolux, James Flaherty and Matthew Kelly were performing brilliantly to clear any West Utd chances. Cathal Burns was putting in a huge effort in midfield and seemed at times to be playing in multiple positions. Oisin Duane made a difference after moving into midfield as we pushed for an equaliser. With 10 minutes left, Jamie Lally made way for James Vignoles and two minutes later, the equaliser arrived. Oisín Kelly picked the ball up in midfield and thumped it past the keeper from the edge of the box. 2-2—Game on! With 7 minutes remaining, James Flaherty, who had been playing through an injury, was replaced by Igor Ziolek. Shortly after, Cathal Burns was taken out by a poor tackle from a West Utd midfielder while breaking down the left wing. With 5 minutes to go, Cathal Burns released Oisin Kelly again, whose curling shot looked destined for the far post, but the West Utd keeper managed a fantastic fingertip save. Then came the heartbreak. With 4 minutes left, as Colemanstown pushed high for a winner, West Utd sent a ball over the top. Their striker ran through, rounded the out-rushing Avey Mahon, and slotted home for 2-3. George Moore made way for Iarla Thompson in a final attempt to get back level, but the game finished 2-3. While it was a disappointing result, the team deserved to get something from the game after a much-improved second-half performance. We take a well deserved break for Christmas and go again in the new year. Match Report: Dermot Moore
Squad: Avey Mahon, Senan Prolux, Conor Finnerty, Eugene Kelly, James Flaherty, Oisin Duane, Oisin Kelly, Cathal Burns, George Moore, James Vignoles, Jamie Lally, Igor Ziolek, Matthew Kelly, Iarla Thompson, Martin Fleming. Unavailable: Andrew Davoren, Patrick Collins, Niall Kane, Dara Ryan.
Boys U13 Champ 2: Colmanstown U13A 4-3 Loughrea. Our U13A boys played out an exhilarating tie against a strong Loughrea side on Saturday. Conditions were wicked with heavy rain and a biting cold wind to contend with. This did not dampen what turned out to be a cracker of a game. Colmanstown started strong, dominating possession and creating 2 half chances early on. One of which saw Frank Dunne put through by James Kilkenny but unfortunately, he slid the ball just wide. The back 4 of Eoghan O’Neill, Oisin Flannery, Matt Feeney and Eoghan Burke were very solid not allowing Loughrea any chances from open play. However, after 10 minutes Loughrea won a corner and crossed the ball deep to the back post. Colmanstown were caught on their heels and the Loughrea player had a simple tap in. The lads did not let this phase them and again dominated possession. However, a second corner for Loughrea on 18 minutes had the exact same outcome as the first and Colmanstown found themselves 2 down. On 20 minutes Chris Burke was introduced for Eoghan Burke and Oisin Flannery was moved to midfield with George Costello swapping to centre back. George had played well at 6 but we were trying to go with a more attacking approach. Oisin Flannery picked the ball up outside his own box and played a ball out to Sé Laffey on the left wing. Sé played a lovely ball into the corner to Frank Dunne who skinned the Loughrea defender and cut the ball back to the centre of the box. Evan Molloy attacked the ball ahead of the defender to bury it to the net on 25 minutes. At this point we were happy and thought we would go in at half time 2-1 down. Unfortunately, another corner on 28 minutes and another goal for the visitors. Half time 3-1 to Loughrea.
The half time team talk consisted of some VERY stern words about our defending from corners but apart from that the lads were asked to continue as they had in the first half and the goals would come. Mark Shaughnessy who had been in goal in the first half moved to right back where he defended excellently and Kerrill Walsh came on in goal with the hard-working Eoghan O’Neill making way. The team talk at half time seemed to work as Loughrea had 2 corners in quick succession after the re-start. Both were well defended well (thank God, they do listen!!). From there the lads never looked back. 10 minutes into the second half James Kilkenny played a lovely ball to Evan Molloy who immediately clipped it into the path of the onrushing Frank Dunne. Frank sprinted clear and chipped the keeper with a deft finish. 3-2 and game on. At this point the challenges were intense and the midfield of Evan Molloy, James Kilkenny, Jack Grealish, Oisin Flannery and Sé Laffey were putting in crunching tackles and receiving them also. Ethan Monaghan replaced the worn-out George Costello who had put in a great performance. Chris Burke moved from left back to centre back and continued his excellent performance. In the next play, a strong tackle from Matt Feeney who was immense at centre back broke the ball to Jack Grealish who played in Oisin Flannery on the edge of the box. He chipped the onrushing keeper and a defenders attempted block could only deflect the on-target effort into the open net. 3-3 and the atmosphere was heating up with 12 minutes to go. Shortly after this Sé Laffey had a shot gathered by the keeper and Colemanstown continued to pile pressure on the Loughrea goal. With 7 minutes to go Jack Grealish picked up the ball just inside the Loughrea half. He pressed forward and attempted to lob the keeper from 25 yards. An excellent save kept the effort out but Oisin Flannery had pressed forward and was first to the breaking ball to slot home from 6 yards. 4-3 and a well-deserved lead. At this point the lads were out on their feet and the final 5 or 6 minutes were spent defending for their lives. A special mention for Kerrill Walsh who made an astonishing save with 3 minutes to go. Loughrea hit a pile driver from 22 yards that was heading for the top corner. Out of nowhere Kerrill flew through the air to push the ball just wide with his fingertips. Thankfully the lads held on for a well-deserved win. Match Report: Liam Flannery.
Squad: Mark Shaughnessy, Eoghan O’Neill, Oisin Flannery, Matt Feeney, Eoghan Burke, George Costello, Se Laffey, James Kilkenny, Jack Grealish, Evan Molloy, Frank Dunne, Kerrill Walsh, Chris Burke, Ethan Monaghan.
U15 Boys Div2: Colemanstown 1–4 Bearna na Forbacha. Our U15 Boys rounded off the year with a home defeat to Bearna na Forbacha, in a game that didn’t fully reflect the effort & performance of the lads. Colemanstown started brightly & moved the ball around well to apply some early pressure, but found chances hard to come by against a well organised & stubborn Barna defence. Despite the positive start, it was the visitors who struck first, to net two goals, the second a particularly well taken effort from outside the box. Our lads responded well though & began to gain a foothold in the game, with their perseverance rewarded when a Finian Walsh corner delivery found its way to the net to pull one back & keep the game alive.
In the second half, Colemanstown pushed hard in search of an equaliser & showed great determination throughout. The best chance fell to Oisin Nugent, whose effort narrowly drifted wide. Despite the sustained pressure, the breakthrough wouldn’t come, & Barna added two late goals to flatter the scoreline as the Colemanstown lads continued to battle right to the final whistle. The lads can now look forward to a well-earned Christmas break. Match Report: Alan Walsh
Squad: Aidan Quinn, Daragh Blake, Darragh Finnerty, Oisin Nugent, Liam O’Connor, David Barrett, Owen Hillary, Finian Walsh, Sean Forde, Dermot Parker, Caelan Noone, Tim Ruane, Conor Saunders, Adam Mitchell.