U13B Boys Div2: Colemanstown Utd 1-8 Corrib Celtic B. With a healthy squad of 17 players available to us last weekend, we had plenty of options on the bench, though the high intensity of the game made it difficult for the team to truly settle into a rhythm.
We opted to play with the wind in the first half, hoping to pin Corrib Celtic back early. The opening ten minutes were cagey as both sides fought for control. James Vignoles had an early half-chance following some sharp build-up play from Oisin Kelly and Patrick Collins, but the visitors’ defense held firm. The deadlock finally broke in the 17th minute when a ball over the top allowed the Celtic forward to race through and slot home. Their confidence grew quickly, and they doubled the lead just four minutes later following a defensive lapse. A significant blow struck midway through the half when Conor Finnerty turned his ankle and was forced to withdraw. Martin Flemming came on at right-back, which moved Senan Prolux into the centre to cover. Despite the setbacks, we refused to fold. In the 27th minute, James Vignoles showed great persistence by chasing down a hopeful ball over the top. He won possession and fired a dangerous cross into the box that forced a Corrib Celtic defender to knock it into his own net. We went into the half-time break trailing 1-2, feeling we were still very much in the hunt.
The second half began in the worst possible way when the referee pointed to the spot for a penalty within sixty seconds of the restart. The Celtic striker made no mistake, leaving Avey Mahon with no chance and making it 1-3. From that point on, the momentum shifted entirely. A lack of communication in our defense allowed Celtic to walk through for a fourth goal shortly after, making the mountain too steep to climb. Despite a flurry of substitutions, including Igor Ziolek and Andrew Davoren to add energy, followed by Nathan Cleary, Finn Scarry, and Diarmuid Nevin, we couldn’t regain a foothold on the ball. Corrib Celtic remained relentless, punishing every mistake as we pushed forward to try and get back into the game. By the time the final whistle blew, the scoreline had stretched to a painful 1-8.
Football is a game of fine margins. Eleven days ago, we outfought this same Corrib Celtic team with no subs, and today they outplayed us on our own patch. It is a tough lesson to learn in our final game of the season, but it is one we have to take on the chin. As we finish out the year, we must look at the fantastic progress made over the entire campaign. We’ve had 5-0 wins, hard-fought draws, and a massive cup win against a team from the division above. We will learn from the pain of today, remember the effort it takes to compete at this level, and we’ll come back stronger next season. Match Report: Dermot Moore
Squad: Avey Mahon, Senan Prolux, Conor Finnerty, Eugene Kelly, James Flaherty, Patrick Collins, captain Oisin Kelly, Lucas McKenna, George Moore, Jamie Lally, James Vignoles, Igor Ziolek, Andrew Davoren, Nathan Cleary, Martin Flemming, Finn Scarry, Diarmuid Nevin.
U18 Boys Div1: Colemanstown United 3–1 Cregmore/Claregalway B. Colemanstown U18s welcomed newly crowned league champions Cregmore/Claregalway B to the Colemanstown Astro on Sunday afternoon for their second-last game of the season. Cregmore/Claregalway had received the league trophy on Friday evening after reaching 36 points, but Colemanstown were determined to show their quality on home soil — and they certainly did that with a superb 3–1 victory.
After the difficult conditions in the reverse fixture earlier in the season, the lads were excited to get the ball down and play football, and from the opening whistle Colemanstown controlled possession and dictated the tempo of the game.
The breakthrough came after 17 minutes following an excellent team move. Oisín Devine, who caused problems all game with his lightning pace and skill, played the ball into striker Darren Moran. With quick one- and two-touch link-up play, Moran fed Cathal Keane, who then found Ronan Screene positioned on the top right edge of the box. Screene fired a low, powerful strike past the Cregmore/Claregalway keeper to put Colemanstown deservedly ahead. A brilliantly worked team goal.
It was also great to see Sean “Cookie” Cooke back between the posts , settling in comfortably behind the familiar back four of Tyler Collins, Nathan Mannion, Conor Walsh, and Cathal Keane. Unfortunately, Colemanstown’s tendency to concede from self-inflicted mistakes struck again. A needless free kick conceded on the edge of the box led to danger. Cooke initially made an excellent save, but the rebound fell kindly for the alert Cregmore/Claregalway number 9, who tapped home the equaliser after 22 minutes.
Despite the setback, Colemanstown continued to play the better football. Matthew Keane and Shane Quirke worked tirelessly in midfield and remained a constant threat going forward. The sides went in level at halftime, 1–1.
No changes were made at the break, and Colemanstown started the second half with purpose. Captain Ryan Gavin, operating in a deep midfield role, did a tremendous amount of work breaking up play and protecting the back four. It was Gavin who created the next goal on 46 minutes, feeding Quirke at the top of the box. Quirke spun brilliantly on a sixpence before unleashing a superb strike into the top corner to restore Colemanstown’s lead at 2–1.
Cregmore/Claregalway pushed hard for an equaliser, but Colemanstown looked dangerous on the counter attack. After one clearance from a C/C corner, Quirke carried the ball from inside his own half all the way to 20 yards from goal before rattling the crossbar with a powerful strike. Matthew Keane reacted quickest and brilliantly squared the rebound across the face of goal, but agonisingly there was nobody there to apply the finish.
Fresh legs were introduced as Adam Doyle replaced the tiring Gavin, while Joshua McDonnell came on for Screene midway through the half. The biggest moment of the game arrived on 80 minutes when Cregmore/Claregalway were awarded a penalty. Up stepped their striker, but Cooke produced a magnificent save low to his bottom right corner to preserve Colemanstown’s lead. Late substitutions saw Dylan King, Shane Dempsey, and Niall Grady introduced for Moran, Matthew Keane, and Collins as Colemanstown looked to see the game out.
Then, on 87 minutes, Quirke produced a moment of magic to seal the victory. Winning a free kick on the left edge of the box, he stepped up himself and curled a sensational strike up and over the wall into the top corner, a true masterclass free kick and the perfect way to finish the game.
The final whistle confirmed a deserved 3–1 victory for Colemanstown, who in many people’s eyes have shown championship quality throughout the season. The lads now sit on 30 points with one game remaining against MacDara on Thursday 21st May at 7pm in Colemanstown.
After the game, the squad will head to Burke’s of Colemanstown for refreshments and a chance to reflect on what has been a hugely positive season for the group. Well done to all players and management involved.
Player of the Match: Shane Quirke – outstanding throughout. His energy, quality on the ball, and attacking threat caused constant problems for Cregmore/Claregalway. Two superbly taken goals, including a stunning late free kick, capped off a brilliant all-round performance. Match report: Kara Mullins
Squad: Sean Cooke, Tyler Collins, Conor Walsh, Nathan Mannion,Cathal Keane, Ryan Gavin, Matthew Keane, Shane Quirke, Rónán Screene, Darren Moran, Niall Grady, Dylan King, Joshua McDonnell, Adam Doyle, Josh Buckley. Management: Orla McCaffrey, Kara Mullins & Damien Mannion.
U17 Boys: Div1: Colemanstown Utd 1–5 West United. Colemanstown endured a tough afternoon at home on Saturday falling to a 5–1 defeat against a sharp and clinical West United side. The visitors started strongly and took control early, opening the scoring within the first 15 minutes with a well-worked move that exposed the home defence. Colemanstown struggled to find their rhythm, and West United doubled their lead soon after, capitalising on a defensive lapse. A third goal before half-time saw the visitors take a commanding 3–0 lead into the break.
To their credit, Colemanstown were far from spectators. They created several chances and produced some excellent passages of play, but a well-organised West defence, combined with an outstanding performance from their goalkeeper, kept them at bay.
The second half began with renewed energy from Colemanstown, who dominated the opening 15 minutes and created multiple opportunities. However, the West goalkeeper was in inspired form, denying every effort and maintaining the three-goal cushion. The breakthrough eventually came midway through the half, when Fionn Proulx rose well to head home and reduce the deficit, lifting the home crowd.
Colemanstown continued to push forward, with a strong midfield display from Tom. Holohan, Jamie Lally and Paddy Gavin driving the team on. Morgan Keogh switched from goalkeeping duties, with Stephen Murphy taking over between the posts, and settled into centre-back alongside Niall Robinson, James Somers, and Fionn Proulx, helping to steady the defence. Up front, Sean Keating, Noah McDonnell, Martin Mellody, and Ryan Shaughnessy worked tirelessly to find a way back into the game, while Gearóid Walsh added fresh energy off the bench.
At this stage, a second Colemanstown goal could have shifted the momentum and put real pressure on West United. However, it wasn’t to be. The visitors regained control and added a fourth goal with 20 minutes remaining. A fifth followed from a quick counter-attack that caught the home side off guard. Despite their efforts and improved second-half performance, Colemanstown were unable to break down a disciplined West United defence.
In the end, it was a convincing 5–1 victory for the visitors. Next up: Colemanstown face Barna in the final game of the season — an opportunity to regroup and finish strongly. Match Report: Luca Lualdi
Squad: Morgan Keogh, James Somers, Fionn Proulx, Niall Robinson, Jamie Lally, Paddy Gavin, Noah McDonnell, Tom Holohan, Martin Mellody, Sean Keating, Ryan Shaughnessy, Stephen Murphy, Gearóid Walsh