U18 Boys: Div1: Colemanstown United 3–1 Athenry B. Colemanstown U18s welcomed Athenry B to the Colemanstown Astro on Sunday afternoon in beautiful conditions, with the lads looking to continue their strong finish to the Division 1 campaign. Colemanstown started brightly and took the lead early on through a well-worked set piece. Left back Joshua McDonnell was fouled near the halfway line, and Conor Walsh delivered a dangerous long free kick into the box. The ball dropped to striker Darren Moran near the edge of the area, and his clever half-volley back across goal was brilliantly anticipated by Dylan King, who calmly finished to the back of the net. It was King’s first goal of the season and a thoroughly deserved one.
Athenry, however, began to grow into the game and used their physicality well to unsettle Colemanstown. After 28 minutes, a long ball over the top caused problems at the back, and a moment’s hesitation allowed the Athenry striker to nip in and take possession before finishing past the onrushing Tommy Nutley to level the game at 1–1. Colemanstown still created chances, particularly through the link-up between Matthew Keane and Moran, but the Athenry goalkeeper was alert throughout, quick off his line to deal with any danger. At the back, Walsh began to take control of the game, demanding more from those around him and helping steady the team. Noah McDonnell was introduced with seven minutes remaining in the half after Matthew Keane picked up a knock to his knee.
The sides went in level at halftime, but management made it clear that the first-half performance was below the standards expected from this Colemanstown side. Perhaps the Premier League clash between Manchester United and Liverpool had distracted a few minds, but whatever was said at the break certainly got the reaction the coaches were looking for. Matthew Keane returned for the second half in place of King, while Shane Quirke came on for Moran, who needed a rest after already playing a hurling match earlier that morning.
Colemanstown started the second half with real intensity and regained the lead just two minutes after the restart. Captain Ryan Gavin, operating in a defensive midfield role, won possession back for his side and immediately played an excellent through ball into the path of Matthew Keane. Keane timed his curved run perfectly, took one touch, and calmly slotted his finish into the bottom corner to make it 2–1.
Ronan Screene worked tirelessly on the right wing, always making himself available and helping keep the attack moving. On 61 minutes, Joshua McDonnell nearly produced a goal of the season contender after linking up brilliantly with his brother Noah on the left wing. A clever one-two between the brothers set Joshua up for a first-time half-volley that flashed narrowly wide.
Colemanstown were then forced into a reshuffle after 69 minutes when centre-back Nathan Mannion was caught in a heavy challenge and had to come off. Moran returned to the attack, with Tyler Collins moving into centre-back alongside Walsh and Cathal Keane switching to right back. The home side continued to push forward. Nice combination play between Noah McDonnell, Matthew Keane, and Quirke created another opportunity, but Quirke’s effort flew just over the crossbar. Minutes later, Moran was sent through by Quirke and came agonisingly close with a superb strike across goal that drifted just wide.
Mannion, feeling recovered, later returned to replace the tiring Screene on the wing as Colemanstown piled on the pressure. Quirke dazzled again with one of his trademark runs, only to be denied by an excellent save from the Athenry keeper. Colemanstown finally sealed the victory in the dying moments of the game. Cathal Keane won possession brilliantly with a crunching slide tackle before releasing Mannion down the right wing. Mannion spotted Moran’s run into the box and delivered a perfect low cross for the striker to finish first time into the far corner and make it 3–1.
The final whistle confirmed another important three points as Colemanstown continue to push hard in the title race, remaining second in the Division 1 table behind Cregmore/Claregalway.
Player of the Match: Conor Walsh – a commanding display at the heart of the defence. Walsh brought calmness, composure, and physical presence when the team needed it most, organising those around him and snuffing out any Athenry threat. A true leader’s performance. Match report: Kara Mullins
Squad: Tommy Nutley, Tyler Collins, Conor Walsh, Nathan Mannion, Joshua McDonnell,Cathal Keane, Ryan Gavin, Matthew Keane, Rónán Screene, Dylan King, Darren Moran, Noah McDonnell, Shane Quirke, Josh Buckley. Management: Orla McCaffrey,Kara Mullins & Damien Mannion.
U13B Boys: Div2: Colemanstown 1 – 1 Corrib Rangers. Following a bruising weekend loss, the Colemanstown U13B squad travelled to face Corrib Celtic midweek with their backs against the wall. A depleted squad meant that only eleven players were available for the trip. There were no subs to provide relief on a warm evening, and every boy knew they would have to find a way to dig deep for the full 60 minutes. We opted for a disciplined 4-5-1 formation, designed to pack the midfield and frustrate the hosts. With Igor Ziolek leading the side as captain, the team looked focused from the first whistle.
Unlike previous games, Colemanstown started with incredible intensity. Within the first five minutes, they forced two corners, both delivered brilliantly by Oisin Kelly. The dangerous balls nearly resulted in early goals for the onrushing Conor Finnerty and Matthew Kelly, signalling to Corrib Celtic that the visitors were here to play. The pressure continued as Oisin Kelly’s bouncing through-ball almost caught the home keeper off his line in the 11th minute. Shortly after, Patrick Collins received a ball from a free kick, turned his man sharply, and forced a good save from the keeper. At the other end, the back four of Igor Ziolek, Senan Prolux, Conor Finnerty and James Flaherty was immense, limiting Celtic to scraps. When a Celtic forward finally found space in the 24th minute, his shot hit the post and trickled into the grateful hands of Avey Mahon, ensuring it remained scoreless at the break.
The message at half-time was simple: Keep fighting. However, three minutes into the second half, the plan took a hit. A defensive lapse allowed a Celtic midfielder to drive through and lay the ball off for their striker, who finished neatly. At 1-0 down, many teams would have folded under the heat and fatigue. Instead, Colemanstown found another gear. Ten minutes in, the belief returned. Patrick Collins raced onto a through-ball, cut inside, and played it back to Matthew Kelly. His shot was blocked, falling to George Moore, who fired narrowly wide. The equalizer was coming. In the 14th minute of the half, the persistence paid off. Patrick Collins was again the catalyst, driving into the box with pace before being hauled down. The referee didn’t hesitate, pointing to the spot. Oisin Kelly stepped up, ignored the pressure, and dispatched a fantastic penalty to level the game at 1-1.
The final quarter of the match was a grueling test of endurance. With no substitutes to turn to, the boys were running on empty, yet their togetherness never wavered. They balanced the need to chase a winner with the discipline to track back and protect the point. Every tackle was contested, and every run was tracked until the final whistle blew. To play without a single sub on a warm evening and hold a strong Corrib Celtic side to a draw is a massive achievement and feels nearly like a win because of the grit and determination shown by each and every one of the boys. Match Report: Dermot Moore
Squad: Avey Mahon, Igor Ziolek (C), Conor Finnerty, Senan Prolux, James Flaherty, Jamie Lally, Matthew Kelly, Andrew Davoren, Oisin Kelly, George Moore, Patrick Collins.
Girls U12 Colemanstown 1 – 1 Coole FC. The final whistle on the U12 Girls season brought great celebration as the girls signed off in style after already securing the league title the previous week against Kinvara. Back on home turf on Sunday morning & roared on by a big crowd, they were determined to finish their campaign on a high. Gort side, Coole FC proved stubborn opposition & a tight, competitive contest ended in a 1–1 draw, with Lucy Burke Hardiman finding the net to ensure her side shared the spoils.
If the match itself was competitive, what followed was pure joy. The squad were presented with their well-earned medals to mark a fantastic season, before the celebrations truly kicked into gear. A well-deserved pizza party & disco in Burke’s capped a memorable day. Huge credit goes to Frank & Bernie Burke for the venue & to the parents & mentors whose effort in decorating the place made it an afternoon the girls won’t forget.
U12 Boys: Championship: Colemanstown 2 – 3 Barna. The U12 boys, meanwhile, were involved in one of the most gripping encounters of the weekend. Facing Barna in their final championship outing, two evenly matched sides went toe-to-toe in a game that could have gone either way. Colemanstown battled hard & matched their opponents throughout, but a late, last-minute strike from Barna proved decisive, snatching a 3–2 victory which left the Colemanstown lads understandably deflated after such a committed performance.
U16 Girls: Div1: Colemanstown 2-0 Tuam Celtic. There was better fortune for the U16 girls, who produced a composed & clinical display away to Tuam Celtic. Leah Hansberry continued her impressive scoring form, netting twice to secure a 2–0 win. Her finishing proved the difference in a solid all-round team performance that ensured Colemanstown returned home with all 3 points.
U14 Girls: Div1: Colemanstown 0-6 Kiltullagh. Our U14 girls faced a daunting challenge against unbeaten league leaders Kiltullagh. Despite a determined effort & plenty of honest endeavour, they came up against a side in top form & ultimately fell to a 6–0 defeat. The scoreline doesn’t fully reflect the work rate & spirit shown, with Colemanstown unlucky not to trouble the scoreboard themselves against very strong opposition.
All in all, it was a weekend that captured everything about underage football; silverware, setbacks, standout performances & celebrations. Match Reports: Martina Donnellan