U21 Men: Oughterard 2–3 Colemanstown Utd. Colemanstown United’s U21 men made it back-to-back league wins on Wednesday night with a thrilling 3–2 comeback victory over Oughterard, played at Oranmore Maree’s astroturf. Conditions were miserable before a ball was kicked. A heavy shower caught the lads on the walk from the dressing rooms and during the warm-up, leaving them soaked through, and it showed in a slow start. Inside five minutes we lost possession on the halfway line on the right, our defence was drawn into the centre, and Oughterard’s left winger was left unmarked at the back post, he slotted home to make it 1–0. Oughterard dominated possession in the first half and looked comfortable and confident on the ball. However, Colemanstown held firm, weathered the storm and went in only 1–0 down at the break.
Management made changes at half-time to add more attacking threat. Daniel Keating came on up top for right back Nathan Mannion, Cathal Keane dropped back to right back, and Paddy Gavin moved from up top into midfield. Paddy, one of our youngest players in the squad, had been our standout performer in the first half and was always looking to get on the ball. Keating, a big, skillful forward, gave us a real target man and held the ball up superbly.
Everything changed in the second half. Colemanstown grew in confidence, won more of the ball and began to take control. On 55 minutes, vice-captain Connor Van Oosterhout, already on a yellow card, made way for Sean Butler, who went out to the right wing to use his pace and skill. Matthew Keane moved into centre midfield and started pulling the strings. On 57 minutes, Matthew was pulled back by the jersey and stepped up to take the free kick himself. His strike was too hot for the keeper to hold, and captain Josh Buckley was first to the rebound to head home and make it 1–1. The equaliser gave the lads huge belief. On 65 minutes we went ahead. Kyle Madden made a penetrating run through the middle before being dispossessed. The ball was cleared wide to left back Eibhear Colleran, who swung it back into the box. Oughterard half-cleared, and it fell to Sean Butler with his back to goal. He played the way he was facing to Ryan Gavin at the top of the box, Gavin struck a low first-time shot across the keeper into the bottom left corner for 2–1. The lads went ahead! Oisín Devine then replaced Kyle Madden on the left wing on 65mins.
Oughterard drew level on 73 minutes from the penalty spot. Conor Walsh dived the right way, low to his left, but couldn’t keep out a well-struck penalty. Conor deserves huge credit for his night between the posts. Deputising for regular keeper Sean “Cookie” Cooke, who is out with an ankle sprain, Conor sprained his thumb in the warm-up and played the whole game effectively one-handed. On 82 minutes, a tiring Ryan Gavin made way for Stephen Raftery after another superb display in midfield. Ryan and his brother Paddy were outstanding all night, full of energy, always demanding the ball and driving the team on.
The winner came on 87 minutes. Oughterard’s free kick from just inside our half went wide, and Oisín Devine intercepted it and broke down the left on the counter. He cut inside and found Sean Butler on the right. Butler took a touch, drove into the box, created space with a quick sidestep and smashed the ball across goal into the far side netting to seal a 3–2 win.
The defence was outstanding throughout. Cathel Keane was mighty at right back, Josh Buckley led from the back, Tyler Collins showed his usual never-say-die attitude, and Eibhear Colleran was full of grit at left back. After a slow, soggy start, the lads were all over Oughterard in the second half. This was a brilliant team performance and a real show of character. That’s now two back to back wins in the league. The lads continue to grow each game!
Player of the Match: goes to youngster Paddy Gavin. When we needed someone to stand up and be counted in a difficult first half, Paddy was the one who wanted the ball, took responsibility and kept the lads going. That hunger is exactly why management moved him into midfield at half-time, and he kept driving the team on until cramp forced him off in the second half. He had simply run himself into the ground. A superb display from one of our youngest players. Match Report: Kara Mullins
Squad: Conor Walsh, Nathan Mannion, Josh Buckley, Tyler Collins, Eibhear Colleran, Matthew Keane, Cathal Keane, Ryan Gavin, Conor van Oosterhout, Kyle Madden, Paddy Gavin, Daniel Keating, Steven Raftery, Sean Butler, Philip Fitzgerald, Dylan King, Joshua McDonnell, Donnacha Walsh, Oisin Devine, Darren Moran, Kyle Delaney, Sean Cooke, Management: Orla McCaffrey & Kara Mullins