Match report from (first time reporter) Greg Coulter
“Fake news” was the only comment from a defiant Ciaran Coulter after a vicious whispering campaign had gathered momentum after two losses from two. In all honesty the young man could not deny what every dog in Main Street Castleconnell knew, his days were numbered without a meaningful result. Coulter senior, reportedly furious after the early season Newport match, insisted on the experienced Sean Devine joining the backroom panel.
When you’re under intense pressure an away match to the flying high Mungret Regional looked an impossible assignment. Mungret, top of the table & fresh from solid victories over Regional & Annacotty B must have fancied themselves going into the match.
Lisnagry started with a confidence and precision that seemed to have been missing from earlier matches. Cronin in left defence and wing forward Kett showed precision and deft touches with Kett going close early in the match as he blistered pasthis marker time and again. Mungret, playing without the ball showed their true colours 15 minutes in when attacking with pace down the right. A cross was met with a crunching header rocking this young team back on their heels 1-0. Mungret, oozing with confidence once again hit on the break making it 2-0 with half time approaching.
McNamara & MoLoughney controversially starting from the bench then showed the touch of class required to unlock this gifted Mungret team. McNamara received the ball in the box and laid off the sweetest of touches with his outside boot for Moloughney to run on and smash into the top corner. Halftime and down 2-1.
Shortly into the second half, MoLoughney reaped the benefits of an incredible piece of pressing scoring from an acute angle to make it 2-2.
Ewan Coulter & Rory Devine in central midfield were winning the midfield battle freeing up the wizardry of Glynn playing wide on the left. Drawing players to him like moths to a flame Glynn whipped in a delightful cross which touched off a Mungret arm. Penalty. MoLoughney stepped up once again to complete his hattrick and increase his season tally to 4. 3-2.
The backline of Ferte, Moroney, O’Connor and Kett stood tall in the second half as Mungret drove forwards in the final minutes. With Mungret continuing to push for a winner Conway in goals was called upon time and again.
“Dusting yourself off after two losses & being down by 2-0 showed the character of the squad” said Ryan, captain for the day who lead the team from the front. Experienced Referee, P O’Brien chose Coulter as his Man of the Match but was quick to say “the award could have gone to Glynn or any number of this talented team”. His final words will have done nothing to reduce the burden of expectation about this group “The best team I’ve ever seen from Lisnagry.” A team to watch.
Squad: Conway, Ferte, O’Connor, Devine, McNamara, Glynn, MoLoughney, Cronin, Kett, Ryan, Coulter, Moroney.
Management: Coulter Snr, Coulter Jnr, Devine.