Valentines Day v Maree Oranmore 

Sunday 14th Feb saw our Colga U8 girls take on Oranmore Maree in beautiful spring sunshine. After sustained pressure by our forwards, most notably our youngest player Susie O’Loan, Colga deservedly took the lead with a close range effort by Niamh Kilgannon. Oranmore Maree worked a very good manoeuvre down the left side to slot home a fast equaliser and from that confidence, they took the lead before the break when they tapped in from very close range.

But our young girls response was brilliant in the second half. Kayleen McPhilipps stepped up to steal our second goal and then we witnessed some heroic play by our goalkeeper Hilaire Byrnes who was fantastic. Our girls moved up a gear to press for the win. They covered for each other, tackled for each other, called each other. And then, a little piece of magic. On the left wing, Maeve Costello and Laura Costello teamed up in a tackle. They won the ball and Laura Costello drove a long low shot from the left wing straight into the net. Our Colga girls celebrated and rightly so.

With five minutes left, Oranmore Maree threw everything at us in this most enthralling game of football. Kayleen McPhilipps played out as our goalkeeper and made a few very brave saves to see us home with a very tight 3:2 win. Thanks to the many parents who encouraged all our young heroes from the side-line and to our friends in Oranmore Maree for being welcoming hosts as always.