U21 Men; Div1: Knocknacarra B 3–1 Colemanstown United. Our U21 men travelled to Knocknacarra on Wednesday night and, despite a spirited display and 54% of possession, came away on the wrong end of a 3–1 scoreline in only our second game in the competition. Colemanstown started brightly, moving the ball well and playing some lovely possession-based football. Against the run of play, Knocknacarra went ahead on 32 minutes. Playing out from the back from a goal kick, we were intercepted in midfield and, with our shape committed to attack, their winger was released and slotted home while our defence scrambled to recover. The lads rallied, but on 45 minutes a corner dropped inside the six-yard box and Knocknacarra were quickest to react, striking home to make it 2–0. A minute later, Knocknacarra had a player sent off for a reckless challenge, reducing them to ten men. We also suffered a setback in the first half when Eibhear Colleran, making a welcome return to the starting line-up after a long injury last year, had to come off with a knock. He was replaced by Paddy Gavin.
Despite trailing 2–0 at the break, the mood from the lads was positive at half time, and the red card gave us a real lifeline. However, Knocknacarra’s big squad allowed them to rotate freely, and their energy and hunger to win the ball back was relentless. It was an extremely fast-paced game, and whenever we got on the ball there was someone on us straight away. It was a real eye opener on where some of our match fitness is for some of the lads. Cathal Keane and Ryan Gavin worked very hard in centre mid but were frustrated when everything they touched was snuffed out straight away. Knocknacarra extended their lead with a well-worked team goal. In midfield Philip Fitzgerald was dispossessed, support didn’t arrive in time, and their striker finished clinically, leaving our keeper Cookie with no chance.
Management reshuffled, bringing Josh Buckley up front, taking off a wrecked Conor van Oosterhout and subbing in Donnacha Walsh to centre back. It paid off almost immediately: on 64 minutes Paddy Gavin played a lovely ball forward, and with his first touch up front Josh ran onto it and calmly slotted past the onrushing keeper to make it 3–1. Joshua McDonnell (for Tyler Collins) and Dylan King (for Ryan Gavin) were also introduced. The lads upped their energy and moved the ball faster in the second half, it really showed how much they wanted to win this game & was great to see that they didn’t just want to throw in the towel. Josh also went close on the 85th minute from an indirect free kick on the edge of the Knocknacarra six-yard box, with his effort flying just over the crossbar when it could have brought us back to 3–2. Ultimately we couldn’t create enough clear chances to get back into the game.
There were plenty of positives. The back line was very solid, with Nathan Mannion making some strong challenges, and centre backs Tyler Collins and Josh Buckley both very strong. Oisín Devine was a threat all night on the left wing with some penetrating runs. As the club’s first-ever U21 team, we’re learning with every game. This was a physical, high-tempo contest, and the lads will take a lot from it. Onwards to the next one! Match report: Kara Mullins
Squad: Sean Cooke, Nathan Mannion, Josh Buckley, Tyler Collins, Eibhear Colleran, Matthew Keane, Cathal Keane, Ryan Gavin, Conor van Oosterhout, Oisin Devine, Philip Fitzgerald, Dylan King, Joshua McDonnell, Donnacha Walsh, Paddy Gavin. Management: Orla McCaffrey & Kara Mullins