Colemanstown U15 Girls 3-2 Loughrea
Our U15s lined out in their first league game of the season away to Loughrea Rams. Many of these girls had never played soccer as a team unit so it was always going to take some adjustments. Our girls started strong with the first real attack resulting in a near miss for Honor Tuohy on 11 minutes when her effort hit the post and deflected away from the goal. The girls continued to press with fantastic play from Grace Mitchell who found Laoise Maybin and she powered the ball from the edge of the box to make it 1 nil.
It was a scrappy game at times due to the rainy weather meaning both teams were slipping and sliding into tackles and on the 14th minute Loughrea were awarded a free kick in front of the goal and their free taker powered to the net for a phenomenal goal that no one could stop. The Colemanstown girls continued to attack and our midfield 4 of Anna Barrett, Aoife Hynes, Libby Kennedy and Eva Molloy worked non stop throughout the game to link play between the backs and forwards ensuring the girls had plenty of chances on goal.
Roisin Ruane was introduced to the attack during the first half and she was unlucky not to convert an early effort of hers on goal and proved to be a thorn in loughrea’s side for the entire game. Eva Molloy went on attack late into the 1st half and from the edge of the square took her shot only to be saved superbly by the Loughrea keeper out for a corner. Loughrea were quick to respond and once again powered a shot to the back of the net making it 2-1 ! The Colemanstown girls didn’t stop there and Grace Mitchell went in search of restoring parity but her shot just drifted wide to leave Colemanstown 2-1 adrift at half time
The girls regrouped at half time and knew they had more in the tank for the 2nd half. The entire 2nd half proved to be a joy to watch as both teams worked tirelessly in slippy conditions. Aisling Ruane was introduced to a defensive role while Lillie Kirby was introduced to right midfield where their presence was immediately noted. Aisling was a force to be reckoned with in defence and it didn’t phase her that she is still just U13 this year. Lily was straight away involved in play and went on attack immediately. The girls won a free outside the box, taken by Libby Kennedy who powered her effort at goal, only to see it rebound to the feet of Lillie Kirby who slotted it to the back of the net. Draw match 11 mins into the 2nd half. Nicole Brennan was introduced into attack and was a constant threat to the Loughrea goal with her darting runs. Colemanstown kept on the attack and forced a corner which Libby Kennedy swung into the box, the ball took a deflection and landed at the feet of Grace Mitchell who didn’t hesitate before striking to the net to make it 3-2.
The girls stayed on attack and Clodagh Flynn was introduced up front adding fresh legs to the game. Colemanstown kept things tight at the back with fantastic leadership by Edel Egan in goal who grows from strength to strength with every game. Our midfield worked the ball out from the back and a perfect through ball by Anna Barrett to Grace Mitchell whose effort was batted down by the keeper and Grace was on hand to finish the move but unfortunately the referee called offside for the goal.
Loughrea didnt go down without a fight and for the final 10 minutes pushed all their players forward trying to grab an equaliser. The back line of Chloe Manley, Annalise Doran and Ally Nutley stayed strong throughout and were constantly encouraging their teammates. This was also Chloe Manleys debut soccer match and it was nothing short of outstanding. She defended brilliantly with a number of volleys and superb tackles. Aisling Ruane must be commended for her heroic efforts on the halfway line after slipping on a very soggy pitch while trying to make a tackle but it didn’t stop her as she continued to battle for the ball and managed to clear it whilst flat on the ground, all topped off by a huge grin on her face once she had ensured her goal was safe.
The raptous cheers at the final whistle captured what a fantastic league opener this game was. Match report by Laura Parker
Colemanstown U17 Girls 1-2 Oughterard
Our U17s lined out in their first game of the Championship league last Sunday with a depleted squad of just 10 girls but it didn’t stop the determination and hard work of the girls as they fought hard in every tackle in sunny New Village. Oughterard were tough opponents and put our girls under constant pressure throughout but our backline of Chloe Manley, Saoirse Moran and Annalise Doran ensured our keeper Nina Bujak was guarded throughout the entire game. Our midfielders covered every inch of the pitch to assist their defenders as well as feeding the ball upfront to Sina Schwitalla and Edel Egan who were unlucky not to convert early in the game. Oughterard broke through 12 minutes in and opened the scoring with a fantastic piece of play and were quick to grab a second soon after but our girls kept fighting to the half time whistle.
The half time whistle was welcomed by all as both teams struggled in the heat while both teams got a chance to regroup. Colemanstown went forward in attack almost immediately laying down a marker for what was to come in the 2nd half. The midfield 4 led by Niamh Kennedy were relentless once again giving fantastic through balls constantly putting the Oughterard backline under pressure! After going down to 9 girls due to a nasty injury to Annalise Doran’s knee the girls knew they needed to hold tight and push forward and when they forced a shot at the Oughterard goal one of their players handballed within the square awarding Colemanstown a penalty. Libby Kennedy stepped up calmly to the spot and confidently slotted it past the keeper. Annalise was reintroduced and the girls built on their goal by constantly playing the ball forward to Edel Egan who was absolutely outstanding up front. With 5 minutes to go a fantastic ball was played forward by Ailish Molloy to the feet of Edel Egan who fearlessy ran onto it as the keeper came out; she tipped the ball past the keeper and was taken down in the tackle within the square. No penalty was awarded so the game ended Oughterard 2-1 Colemanstown. Congratulations to Lucy Kenny who was nominated by her teammates as this years captain while Niamh Kennedy was nominated Vice Captain. Well done ladies. A super display with a depleted squad. Match report by Laura Parker