SFAI U12 Boys National Cup: Swinford F.C. 0-1 Colemanstown United A. The rain poured before, during and after this SFAI Cup game in Swinford on Saturday, but it didn’t hamper an exciting and competitive game on Saturday morning. An early knock to Fionn Ruane, meant a team reshuffle with Odhran Lynch now leading the attack and he posed lots of questions for the Swinford defence with assistance from Aaron Keady O’Connor, Finn O’Grady and Charlie Butler. The first half created limited clear chances for either side with Odhran Lynch going close on a couple of occasions while Patrick Quinn and his defence dealt with Swinford’s speedy attackers.
With Fionn Ruane returning to the fray, he helped control midfield, with Max Igoe and David Burke also adding fresh legs and plenty of energy when introduced. Charlie Butler’s work-rate was rewarded 10 minutes in to the second half after a terrific through ball from Panos Costello was nicked beyond the advancing Swinford keeper by David Burke with Charlie finishing to the net to great excitement. Swinford now went for broke, however, the Colemanstown defence marshalled by our determined team captain Shane Barrett and Panos Costello worked hard to keep a clean sheet. Colm Mac An Iomaire and Shay Morrissey mopped up lots of pressure too and distributed the ball really well at times. It was Patrick Quinn though that produced a magnificent Caoimhin Kelleher-like save towards the end of the game to thwart a Swinford rocket from rattling the net.
Colemanstown advance to the next round of the SFAI National Cup with a spring in their step but plenty to work on. A big thanks to the hospitality shown by Swinford F.C. who had a fantastic spread of hot food, bakes, sandwiches, treats and refreshments for players and supporters after the game. Match Report: Mike Morrissey
Squad: Patrick Quinn, Colm Mac an Iomaire, Panos Costello, Shane Barrett (C), Shay Morrissey, Charlie Butler, Aaron Keady O’Connor, Finn O’Grady, Fionn Ruane, Odhran Lynch, David Burke, Max Igoe.
U14 Girls Division 1: Colemanstown 4–1 Maree/Oranmore B. Colemanstown’s U14 girls produced a fantastic performance at home as they recorded an impressive 4–1 victory over Maree/Oranmore B in their latest league encounter. There were two exciting debutants in the Colemanstown squad, with Zara Kelly & Megan Kelly both made their first appearances & made an immediate impression.
Colemanstown started strongly with Realtín Saunders, Jade Devaney, Lauren O’Grady & Chloe Burke outstanding in defence, clearing everything that came their way. In midfield Rachel Lyons, Lucy Burke Hardiman, Holly Mellody & debutant Zara Kelly combined brilliantly, moved the ball well & provided excellent service to the attacking duo of Ava Forde & Helia Costello. The deadlock was finally broken on 28mins & it was worth the wait….. Lucy Burke Hardiman produced a fantastic strike to put Colemanstown 1–0 ahead. Ava Forde then went close with an effort that the visiting keeper could only spill & Helia Costello was perfectly positioned to pounce on the rebound & smash the ball into the net for 2–0.
Megan Kelly was introduced before the break & immediately brought plenty of power & energy to the Colemanstown performance. The hosts went into half time with a deserved two goal advantage. Colemanstown continued to dominate after the interval as Zara Kelly moved into defence & Lauren O’Grady continued her excellent performance from midfield. The third goal arrived when Ava Forde produced a superb left footed finish after latching onto a perfectly delivered ball from Zara Kelly.
Emily Tuohy was once again strong & alert in goal as she made several excellent saves whenever called upon, while Ciara Maybin impressed at right back on her introduction. Holly Mellody was reintroduced & wasted little time getting back into the action as she added Colemanstown’s fourth goal shortly afterwards. To their credit, the visitors continued to battle right until the end & were rewarded with a goal of their own. However, Colemanstown saw the game out comfortably to secure a deserved 4–1 victory. It was a performance full of passion, solid defending, excellent passing & teamwork, with the two debutants adding further encouragement for the games ahead.
Squad: Emily Tuohy, Helia Costello, Chloe Burke, Jade Devaney, Realtín Saunders, Rachel Lyons, Lucy Burke Hardiman, Holly Mellody, Lauren O’Grady, Ava Forde, Zara Kelly, Megan Kelly, Ciara Maybin.
U16 Girls Div. 1: St Bernard’s 0–2 Colemanstown. Colemanstown’s U16 girls travelled to neighbours St. Bernard’s in Abbeyknockmoy on a sunny Sunday afternoon & returned home with three valuable league points following a hard fought & hard earned 2-0 win. The 1st half was dominated by an excellent defensive display from Colemanstown. Ruth Flaherty, Grace Connolly, Muireann Roche, Aoife Walsh & Evelyn McDonnell were superb, heading, clearing & blocking their way through the opening period & gave the keeper Niamh Lally very little to do. Playing with the wind at their backs, Colemanstown created opportunities at the opposite end, with Shana McDonagh & Laura Girvan looking to release the strike force with through balls. However, the St Bernard’s keeper was quick off her line on several occasions to deal with the danger. Julie Holohan made an immediate impact following her introduction, while Sorcha Nic an Iomaire & Emma Collins also saw action before the interval. The sides went into the break in stalemate at 0–0.
The 2nd half continued in much the same competitive fashion & it took until the 50th minute for Colemanstown to register their first shot on target as Ruth Burke tested the St Bernard’s custodian. Just 2mins later, Julie Holohan saw an effort thunder back off the post following a brilliant pass from Emma Collins. Colemanstown at this stage were beginning to build some momentum. Niamh Lally was called upon to make a superb save high underneath the crossbar to keep the game scoreless before Colemanstown finally broke the deadlock on 64 minutes. Excellent combination play between Leah Hansberry & Ruth Burke opened the door & Ruth Burke finished superbly in front of goal to send the travelling Colemanstown supporters into celebration.
The game remained finely poised as Leah Hansberry went close just a minute later. At the other end, Niamh Lally produced another powerful save to preserve Colemanstown’s lead. With a single goal advantage always leaving the game in the balance, Colemanstown went looking for a second & found it on 72mins. Shauna McDonagh took control of the ball, turned brilliantly & put through an inch-perfect pass for Maddie Rohan, who calmly turned the opportunity into a superb finish into the bottom left corner with the keeper stranded. At 2–0 Colemanstown were in control & Kara Higgins came on at right back as Ruth Flaherty, who had given everything on the wing, finally got a well earned rest. The clean sheet was thoroughly deserved, buoyed up by a defence working tirelessly throughout & Niamh Lally produced a composed performance in goal. Ruth Flaherty was particularly busy on the wing, while Sorcha Nic an Iomaire made several perfectly timed tackles. This result makes it two wins from 3 league games, with 10 goals scored in the process. A big thank you also to Margaret Girvan & Elaine Walsh for their assistance on the day. Match Report: Paddy Burke
Squad: Niamh Lally, Ruth Flaherty, Grace Connolly, Muireann Roche, Aoife Walsh, Evelyn McDonnell, Leah Hansberry, Laura Girvan, Shauna McDonagh, Maddie Rohan, Ruth Burke, Julie Holohan, Sorcha Nic an Iomaire, Emma Collins, Kara Higgins.
U12 Girls Div. 1: Colemanstown 2–0 Renmore. Colemanstown’s U12 girls also came away with an excellent win today, Sunday, when they defeated Renmore 2–0 after a determined & energetic performance. From the off, the Colemanstown girls played with tremendous spirit & commitment. They never gave up & were particularly strong defensively, maintained good possession & were consistently first to the ball in every area of the field. Elise Rohan & Lily Hilary were always willing to take their chances, while the midfielders & strikers continued to push forward & press for goals. Their pressure paid off in the first half when Lily Hilary found the breakthrough to give Colemanstown a deserved lead.
The 2nd half saw more of the same determination from the home side as the girls continued to work hard & created opportunities. Lexi Hansberry added the 2nd goal to put Colemanstown firmly in control. The roll-on, roll-off subs also had a very positive impact as every player contributed when called upon in both halves. There was also a debut in goal for Grace Kelly, who produced a brilliant performance on her first outing between the posts. This was a disciplined defensive display with plenty of hard work & two well taken goals which saw Colemanstown secure a deserved 2–0 win. Match Report: Michelle Doyle
Squad: Grace Kelly, Meabh Flannery, Katelyn Costello, Sadie Devaney, Lily Hilary, Meabh Lally, Caoimhe Greene, Elise Rohan, Amelia Walsh, Ava Breslin, Myah Brennan, Lucy O’Regan, Lexi Hansberry, Amelia Purcell, Caoimhe Murray.