Deadly trio help u16’s make history

A goal a piece from Brian Sweeney, Lee Murphy & Keith Murphy assisted in sinking Salthill Devon and helped Colemanstown enter the history books as they advance to the semi final of the Connaught Shield. It was an emphatic performance from the outset with Colemanstown’s dominance evident as early chances fell to Keith Murphy & Brian Sweeney. Salthill looked rather dangerous on the break but it wasn’t long before Keith Connell, Lee Murphy & Aidan Monaghan took a stranglehold on midfield. They were made work hard against a more physical & technically good Salthill outfit. Salthill broke the deadlock 10mins before the break with a well taken header from a corner. Colemanstown rallied however and with Keith Murphy winning a good ball in the middle of the park, fed the ball neatly & quickly to Brian Sweeney who beat the offside trap and left two defenders in his wake to slot the ball perfectly under the advancing keepers legs. Minutes later Sweeney again, had a good effort as he chipped the ball over the keeper only to see the ball scraped off the goal line. 1-1 Half time. Kieran Dowd was introduced at the restart for the injured Keith Connell and with a few astute player switches seen a revitalised and more threatening Colemanstown outfit as they dominated the 2nd half possession-wise and looked sharper & more dangerous up front. The back four of Gerard Warde, Ronan Carr, Ronan O’Neill & captain fantastic Dylan Kelly had a brilliant second half and dealt splendidly with Salthill’s set pieces and cut short almost all Salthill’s goal threats. Colemanstown’s second goal came with 15mins left when Lee Murphy took his chance well and headed home after the keeper failed to hold an earlier shot from Brian Sweeney. Salthill threw everything at Colemanstown in serach of an equaliser and went close on a couple of occasions only for ‘Superman’ Murray made 2 excellent saves. Right at the death Colemanstown ensured no way back for Salthill as Keith Murphy scored direct from a free kick as he curled the ball around the defensive wall and hit the top corner to make it 3-1. This fine win will do their confidence the world of good as it epitomises the efforts they have put in this season. They now make history as they reach the last 4 in Connaught- a very fine achievement indeed for Manager Bobby Masterson & his team.