Colemanstown 2 – 2 Knocknacarra B
Birthday boy Cillian Roche’s double against Knocknacarra ‘B’ ensured Colemanstown maintained the pressure on table toppers Corrib Celtic and from now on every league game must be won if these lads are to feature in the final stages of the league. It’s as simple as that!
So this 2-0 win was another step in the right direction against fairly tough opponents. Colemanstown started well testing the visiting Knocknacarra keeper early on with Shane Duffy & Paddy Flynn popping shots at goal after a good ball from Josh Buckley up the line on both occasions. Cathal Kennedy had a low hard drill which the keeper could only parry and Kyle Madden fired wide with the goal at his mercy. On 2mins Cathal Kennedy got on the end of a huge Cillian Roche clearance from the back, fed Shane Duffy who cut in along the end line, rounded the keeper but the angle was too tight & he found the side net. In the ensuing play Duffy headed over a Roche corner. Jonah Donnellan saw his long range effort in the safety of the keeper as the 1st half was pure Colemanstown dominance for most parts. Just before the break, Knocknacarra had a half chance which resulted in some consternation in the Colemanstown rearguard which was eventually cleared by the safe boot of the birthday boy. Scoreless at the break.
A rejuvenated Knocknacarra side came out for the 2nd half causing a stir immediately but their effort went wide. Down the other end Shane Duffy was fouled bearing in on goal, Donnellan took the free which was headed home by Roche from close range to break the deadlock. It was no more than he deserved for his work rate alone. Knocknacarra then created a few chances as Fionn Flattery had to be vigilant in goal. Some hesitancy in the back allowed a good shot on goal which Fionn could only parry but grabbed it on the 2nd ask. Flattery made another fine save when our defence were stretched and made light work of a goal bound free kick from the edge of the box mid-way through the half. Donnacha Walsh added some fresh impetus as Knocknacarra threw everything at it in search of the equaliser. Fionn had to make another diving save to push the ball around the post and keep Colemanstown in it as Knocknacarra sustained great pressure up top.
The breakthrough came again 25mins in as Cillian Roche ran almost the full length of the left flank, cut in across the box, took one look up before he let fly across the goal into the far right corner – a lovely 2 goal cushion to relieve some of the pressure. It’s hard to believe this lad just turned 14 today. Michael Fallon, Matthew Keane, Jamie Nutley & Sean Connolly were sprung from the bench to relieve some tired legs. Donnacha Walsh had the final say but saw his effort saved. 2-0 the final outcome in a tough dogged battle but at least another step in the right direction.
Squad: Fionn Flattery, Josh Buckley, Diarmuid Ryan, Cillian Roche, Tiernan Lohan, Cathal Kennedy, Jonah Donnellan, Ross Lally, Paddy Flynn, Kyle Madden, Shane Duffy, Donnacha Walsh, Michael Fallon, Jamie Nutley, Matthew Keane, Sean Connolly, Dillon Roche, Ronan Screene.
Colemanstown 2 – 2 West Coast Utd
West Coast Utd made the long trip to Colemanstown today to take on our U13s. The visitors controlled the early exchanges and got on the board within 20mins after a defensive slip up. Colemanstown however did play their way into the game as the first half wore on. Their best clear cut chance of the half fell to Noah McDonnell who had followed up a Tadhg Hart free kick but blasted over the bar while Harry Tierney was inches away from finding the target. 1-0 at the interval.
The second half was only 3 mins old when Colemanstown restored parity. Tom Holohan provided the assist for Tadhg Hart who curled the ball past the keeper from the edge of the box. Hart turned provider to go 2-1 up when his cross found Harry Tierney who exquisitely finished from close range. Then as Colemanstown pushed forward, trying to influence the game a bit more, they were caught off guard as the visitors broke to make it 2-2 with 15mins left. Colemanstown looked for a winner but neither side created anything too dangerous after that as a 2-2 draw was probably the fairest result in the end, in a game played in a hugely sporting manner.
Squad: Tommy Nutley, Tadhg Bardell, Stephen Murphy, Jamie Lally, Michael Lally, James Somers, Noah McDonnell, Harry Tierney, Fionn Proulx, Tom Holohan, Tadhg Hart, Joe Carroll, Sean Keating, Aidan Ruane.