U14 Girls Div1: Colemanstown 6-1 Kinvara. Our U14 girls delivered a superb performance, taking control of the game from the very first whistle and maintaining that dominance throughout. We got off the mark early thanks to Niamh Lally, who opened the scoring with a well-taken goal. Niamh followed that up soon after by providing an assist for Sorcha Nic an Iomaire who calmly added our second. The girls continued to press and play with real confidence, going into the break with an impressive 4–0 lead at half time. The football on display was some of the best this team has ever produced. The passing, movement, and link-up play were excellent, with the girls playing as a unit and showing great composure in possession. At the back, it was also a very commanding defensive display, keeping the opposition limited in chances. It’s hard to say whether playing on the grass surface contributed to the performance, but it was certainly a pleasure to watch the girls express themselves so well.
At half time, we emptied the bench and used all of our 18-strong panel, giving everyone valuable game time. Despite the disruption in personnel, the second-half performance remained just as strong. Further goals from Julie Holohan and Eva Forde capped off an outstanding team display. Kinvara did manage a late consolation goal through their very talented number 9, but it did little to take away from an excellent overall performance. We can really see the confidence growing in this group, and we’ll look to carry that momentum into our next outing against Oughterard in two weeks’ time. Match Report: Garry O’Grady
Girls U12 Connacht Trophy Colemanstown 0 – 4 Colga. Colemanstown U12 Girls’ Connacht Trophy run came to an end on Sunday morning, but not before a second-half performance that spoke volumes about the character and identity of this young side. Welcoming championship outfit Colga for a last-16 tie, Colemanstown found themselves under pressure early on. The visitors controlled much of the first half, with Faye Ryan called into action repeatedly as Colga imposed themselves in possession. That dominance was reflected on the scoreboard, with Colemanstown trailing 3–0 at the interval. What followed after the break, however, was a markedly different contest.
As they have shown time and again this season, Colemanstown refused to fold. From goalkeeper to forwards, the response was immediate and collective. The tempo lifted, the press became sharper, and Colga were no longer afforded the same time and space they had enjoyed earlier. Colemanstown began to dictate the rhythm, their trademark quick passing game finally clicking into place. Chances followed. Elise Rohan struck the post twice, Katelyn Mannion forced an excellent save from the Colga goalkeeper, and Ella Kavanagh went narrowly wide as belief grew with every passing minute. At the back, Ciara Maybin, Chloe Burke, Caoimhe Greene and Realtin Saunders were assured and disciplined, cutting out counter-attacks before they could develop. In midfield, Meabh Lally, Holly Melody, Sadie Devaney and Eve Corcoran provided the engine for what was a dominant spell, pressing aggressively and driving the team forward. Colga eventually sealed the tie with a breakaway goal, a reminder of their quality and efficiency. Yet even then, the scoreline failed to capture the momentum of the second half or the growth shown by Colemanstown. Despite the defeat, this was a performance rich in encouragement. The girls never stopped fighting, never stopped playing for one another, and stayed true to their footballing principles regardless of the opposition. Next up is a top-of-the-table clash with Kinvara in two weeks’ time — a fixture this Colemanstown side will approach with confidence built not from results alone, but from the way they play the game. Match Report: Neil Ryan
Women’s Championship Colemanstown 1 – 3 Merlin Woods. Colemanstown Ladies produced one of their most encouraging performances of the season on Sunday, but were ultimately undone by a ruthless finish from title-chasing Merlin Woods Sports Club in the GFA Women’s Championship. From the opening exchanges, it was the home side who set the tone. Colemanstown started brightly, pressing high and forcing Merlin Woods onto the back foot. That early intent was rewarded when sustained pressure inside the visitors’ box led to a penalty, confidently dispatched into the bottom corner by Shauna Ward. The lead, however, was short-lived. Merlin Woods quickly demonstrated why they are firmly in the title race, responding with an equaliser that restored balance to what was shaping into a finely poised contest. The remainder of the first half was evenly matched, with both sides creating opportunities and neither willing to cede control.
Colemanstown emerged for the second half with the same purpose that had defined the opening minutes. Again, they took the initiative, pinning Merlin Woods back and asking persistent questions of their defence. Chances followed, with Shauna Ward, Catherine Burke and Lucy Roberts all going close, only to be left frustrated as the final touch eluded them. And then came the turning point. Against the run of play, Merlin Woods struck with 15 minutes remaining, punishing a rare lapse to take the lead. As Colemanstown committed bodies forward in search of an equaliser, space opened up, and the visitors capitalised late on to add a third and seal the result.
The final scoreline will disappoint the home side, but it does little to diminish the quality of the performance. Colemanstown matched one of the league’s strongest teams for large stretches, pressed aggressively, and created enough chances to suggest this group continues to move in the right direction. There will be frustration at missed opportunities, but also belief drawn from how this team competed. Colemanstown will look to channel that performance when they travel to Cregmore/Claregalway in two weeks’ time, knowing that results will follow if displays like this become the norm. Match Report: Neil Ryan
U18 boys DIv1: Kiltullagh Pioneers 2-1 Colemanstown. Colemanstown U18s travelled to Kiltullagh on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, knowing just how important this fixture was. Kiltullagh sat second in the table, just one point ahead of Colemanstown, and with this competition being all these lads have to play for this season, the motivation levels were sky high. As expected, Kiltullagh proved a tough opponent on their own patch, backed by a loud and vocal home support. Colemanstown started the game excellently, showing real intensity both going forward and in their defensive work. That early pressure paid off on 13 minutes with a superbly worked opening goal. Paddy Gavin linked up well with new signing Oisín Devine, who attacked the Kiltullagh defence at pace down the left wing. A neat stepover saw Devine skip past his defender before pulling a low ball back across the goal, where Ronan Screene met it with an excellent left-footed finish into the roof of the net for Screene’s second goal in as many games.
Kiltullagh responded quickly and their dangerous number 9 began to cause problems for the Colemanstown back line of Ryan Gavin, Nathan Mannion, Josh Buckley and Cathal Keane. However, goalkeeper Tommy Nutley was in outstanding form. On 15 minutes, the Kiltullagh striker unleashed a stunning effort that looked destined for the top corner, but Nutley somehow sprung across goal to pull off a magnificent save that drew gasps from everyone present. Colemanstown continued to threaten, particularly down the flanks. On 23 minutes, Darren Moran caused havoc again on the left before cutting back onto his right foot and spotting a superb run from Ryan Gavin on the opposite side of the box. Gavin struck first time, forcing an excellent fingertip save from the Kiltullagh keeper to push the ball over the bar. Against the run of play, Kiltullagh equalised on 28 minutes. A free kick from the left, about 25 yards out, was floated into the box and evaded everyone, finding its way into the far corner of the net, a frustrating goal to concede.
Colemanstown almost regained the lead on 38 minutes when Moran again produced a near-identical run down the left and delivered a ball across goal. Screene connected brilliantly, but his effort rattled the base of the post. Moments later, disaster struck as a misplaced pass was read by the Kiltullagh number 9, who raced through one-on-one and calmly finished into the bottom corner to give the home side a 2–1 lead. To make matters worse, Nutley picked up a hamstring injury in the aftermath and was forced off, with Conor Walsh stepping in between the posts for the remainder of the game.
At half-time, Screene was also withdrawn through injury and replaced by Jamie Lally, while Darren Moran, carrying a knock, made way for Tomás Rogerson. Colemanstown came out firing in the second half and piled relentless pressure on Kiltullagh, winning five corners inside the opening 10 minutes. Another injury blow followed when Paddy Gavin had to be replaced, with Tyler Collins coming on at right back and Ryan Gavin pushed further forward. Devine continued to torment the Kiltullagh defence and on 63 minutes, after some clever footwork on the edge of the box, he curled a shot towards the far corner, only to be denied by another fine save from the keeper. Ryan Gavin then went close after a driving run down the right, picking out Lally in the box, whose effort flashed just wide.
Colemanstown dominated possession, at times it felt like 85% of the play, but Kiltullagh dug in, defending deep with seven players across their back line. Adam Doyle was outstanding in midfield, breaking up play and continually getting Colemanstown’s attackers on the ball. Matthew Keane worked tirelessly on both flanks, trying everything to unlock the stubborn defence. Martin Melody replaced the tireless Keane on 85 mins. Another chance came on 80 minutes when Keane whipped in a dangerous cross, but Lally’s header drifted wide. Cathal Keane spent much of the half acting more like a winger than a defender as Colemanstown pushed bodies forward, while Buckley, Mannion and Doyle were rock solid at the back, limiting Kiltullagh to very little and giving Walsh a quiet second half in goal.
The final whistle was met with a loud roar from the Kiltullagh players and supporters, relieved to have held out. This was one of those days where the better football didn’t bring the result. Colemanstown can take huge positives from the performance, the lads played excellent football, never gave up, and showed great discipline by not reacting to any of the off-the-ball antics or rivalry. With seven games still to play, there is plenty left to fight for! Everyone at Colemanstown United would like to wish Joshua McDonnell a very speedy recovery after suffering a broken wrist last week, and we hope to see him back on the pitch as soon as possible. Best wishes also to our goalkeeper Tommy Nutley, who picked up what looks to be a serious hamstring injury during the game. We wish both lads a smooth and successful recovery and look forward to having them back on the pitch soon. Player of the Match: Oisín Devine – On his first appearance in a Colemanstown United jersey, Oisín Devine delivered an outstanding performance and thoroughly deserved the Player of the Match award. From the first whistle he was a constant threat, attacking the opposition defence with pace, confidence and quality. His direct running caused Kiltullagh all sorts of problems, and his excellent assist for Ronan Screene’s goal capped off a superb debut. A hugely promising performance and a great start to his Colemanstown career. Match report: Kara Mullins
Squad: Tommy Nutley, Ryan Gavin, Nathan Mannion,Josh Buckley, Cathal Keane, Adam Doyle, Oisin Divine, Paddy Gavin, Matthew Keane, Rónán Screene, Darren Moran, Tyler Collins, Tomás Rogerson, Dylan King, Martin Melody, Shane Quirke, Jamie Lally, Conor Walsh, Niall Grady, Joshua McDonnell, Sean Cooke. Management: Orla McCaffrey, Damien Mannion & Kara Mullins.