U14 Boys: Div 3 Colemanstown 2- 2 Corofin. When these sides met earlier in the league, Corofin were convincing 8-1 winners, but this encounter on Thursday last proved a completely different test as Colemanstown produced a display full of intent, resilience & super progress to earn a deserved 2-2 draw. The opening half was a tightly contested affair with both teams evenly matched & battled hard to gain the upper hand. Defences were on top throughout the 1st hair & neither side was able to break the deadlock. Excellent organisation at the back from Conor Saunders, Tim Ruane, George Moore & Ritchie O’Connor combined with an assured performance from Iarlaith Griffin in goals ensured it remained scoreless at the break. Oisín Flannery was introduced during the half & added fresh energy to the Colemanstown attack.
Colemanstown emerged for the 2nd half with renewed purpose & began to apply greater pressure. Their efforts were rewarded when Sé Laffey tested the Corofin keeper with a well struck effort while Oisín Flannery reacted quickest to the rebound & finished neatly from close range to open the scoring. Corofin responded though in determined fashion & quickly equalised & added a second soon after to turn the game on its head to lead 2-1. Despite the setback, Colemanstown showed great character & refused to back down. Their persistence paid off following a spell of impressive attacking play with Oisín Flannery turning provider to set up Caelan Noone, who fired an unstoppable shot to the net which sparked huge celebrations as the sides were level again. The closing stages were played at a high intensity as both teams pushed for a winner, but neither could find the decisive breakthrough as the game finished honours even. Keeper Iarlaith Griffin was outstanding throughout & produced a number of top-class saves to keep Colemanstown firmly in contention. It was a strong all round squad performance with every player contributing while the subs made an equally positive impact when called upon. Match Report: Ann Forde.
Squad: Iarlaith Griffin, Conor Saunders, Tim Ruane, George Moore, Ritchie O’Connor, Caelan Noone, Sean Forde, Mark Shaughnessy, Sé Laffey, Thomas Kennedy, Adam Mitchell, Aaron Burke, Oisín Flannery, Trevor Harlowe, Oisín Dolan, Niall Mason.
U13 Boys: Div 2: Colemanstown B 5 – 0 Loughrea B. The weather was wet and the wind was howling across the pitch, meaning Colemanstown had to battle a significant disadvantage in the first half. However, unlike the previous game where we started slowly, the boys were pumped and ready from the start, opting for a clever “pass and move” strategy on the deck to negate the wind. Avey Mahon started in goal, with a back four of Senan Prolux, Conor Finnerty, Matthew Kelly and, captain for the day, James Flaherty. Our midfield was made up of Patrick Collins, Lucas McKenna, Oisin Kelly and George Moore. James Vignoles and Andrew Davoren started up front. Andrew Davoren nearly broke the deadlock at 4 minutes when he was sent through on goal but his shot was saved. A few moments later he had another chance after a dangerous cross from George Moore. In a bizarre turn of events 10 minutes in, James Flaherty was forced off due to a “sock malfunction” with Martin Fleming stepping in seamlessly at left back. The breakthrough finally came in the 15th minute. Oisin Kelly threaded a beautiful ball through to James Vignoles, who kept his cool to tuck it away. We might have had the “rub of the green” on a handball shout, but we certainly deserved the lead. Just before the halftime whistle, Loughrea looked certain to equalise on the break. Conor Finnerty produced a world-class recovery tackle, covering huge ground to protect Avey Mahon’s clean sheet.
With the wind now at our backs, we made a triple substitution, bringing on Jamie Lally, Eugene Kelly, and a restored James Flaherty. The impact was immediate and devastating. Within minutes of the restart, Jamie Lally turned the game into a masterclass. He teed up James Vignoles twice in quick succession, allowing Vignoles to complete a magnificent hat-trick. Matthew Kelly was dominating the middle of the field and with a 3 goal cushion the boys grew in confidence and were playing some lovely football. Senan Prolux joined the party 10 minutes into the half. After a tantalizing cross from George Moore, Senan showed great composure to bag his first goal of the season. Andrew Davoren came back on for hat-trick hero James Vignoles and Finn Scarry made his debut replacing Patrick Collins, who had run his socks off. Andrew Davoren put the result beyond any doubt halfway through the half, finishing clinically to record Jamie Lally’s third assist of the afternoon. As the game wound down, we were able to rotate the squad, bringing on Igor Ziolek, Martin Fleming, Nathan Cleary, and Lucas McKenna to see the game out. Despite being five down, Loughrea kept pushing, but the togetherness of the Colemanstown defence was unbreakable. Every player dug deep to ensure Avey Mahon went home with a well-earned clean sheet. The game finished 5-0 and the most satisfying part of the game was the boys didn’t wait for the game to come to us; they went and took it. From Conor’s goal-saving tackle to James’s clinical hat-trick and Jamie’s hat-trick of assists, it was a team win. Moving into 3rd in the table is exactly where we want to be. The team enjoyed this one on Saturday, but in two weeks, we head to Corrib Rangers. We’ll take this same spirit, the same togetherness, and we’ll strive to show the league leaders what this Colemanstown team is all about. Match Report: Dermot Moore
Squad: Avey Mahon, Senan Prolux, Conor Finnerty, Matthew Kelly, James Flaherty, Patrick Collins, Oisin Kelly, Lucas McKenna, George Moore, James Vignoles, Andrew Davoren, Jamie Lally, Eugene Kelly, Martin Fleming, Igor Ziolek, Nathan Cleary, Finn Scarry. Unavailable: Cathal Burns, Oisin Duane, Dara Ryan & Diarmuid Nevin.