Enniscorthy's ladies third XI came out on top in their first game of the South East Cup on Sunday. Enniscorthy pressurised a young and inexperienced Wexford III side from the off, peppering the opposition goal with shots throughout the match. Forwards Catherine Oakes and Lisa Freyne being especially noteworthy in this regard. Melanie Ní Dhuinn put Enniscorthy ahead just before half time. Ní Dhuinn was the first to react after an initial effort rebounded off the Wexford 'keepers pads, sending the ball into the top corner of the net from the edge of the circle.
The restart saw Wexford come out of their shells somewhat but excellent defensive work ensured Enniscorthy's lines were cleared promptly. Ní Dhuinn doubled Enniscorthy's lead from a penalty corner before Doyle made sure of the win. Squad: Aoife Foran, Ivanna Yates, Ilsa Flynn, Roisin Ó Muiri, Roisin Nolan, Melanie Ní Dhuinn, Kerri Clifford, Catherine Oakes, Lisa Frayne, Linda Durnan, Bridget Gainford, Irene Doyle, Kim O'Connor. Enniscorthy's ladies first eleven were in action twice in twenty-four hours this weekend, coming away with a win and a defeat. On Saturday the side made the long trek to Belfield and a first versus second clash against UCD. Unfortunately for the Slaneysiders, its was the Students who took all three points in a 2-1 win, Jessie Flood getting the goal for the visitors.
Squad v UCD: Norah McGinty (GK), Julie Watchorn (Vice Capt), Laura Smith, May Wickham, Katie Owen, Olive Lett, Leah Chapman (Capt), Laura Bailey, Anna Flood, Hannah Sweeney, Laura O’Leary, Jessie Flood . On Sunday Enniscorthy comprehensively defeated Genesis 5th 4-0 in the second round of the Division 7/8 Cup at the Astro Active Centre. Jessie Flood was on the scoresheet again, this time claiming a brace, while Roisin Treacy and Laura O'Leary ensured passage through to the next round and an encounter with Old Alexandra 4th. Squad v Genesis: Norah McGinty, Olive Lett, Julie Watchorn, Laura Smith, Katie Owen, Leah Chapman, Jessie Flood, Laura Bailey, Laura O'Leary, Anna Flood, Hannah Sweeney, May Wickham, Bridget Gainford, Roisin Treacy, Hannah Graham. An unplayable pitch at Grange Road meant the under 16 girls (intermediate yellow) fixture versus Three Rock Rovers was called off on Sunday, but their intermediate “A” colleagues were in action at the Astro Active Centre against Dublin side Loreto. Unfortunately it was another narrow defeat for the side in what was a tight but skilful contest, with Loreto emerging 1-0 winners.
Squad: N McGinty, E Farrell, L Smith, E Rogan, N Ogilvie, B O'Brien, L Kidd, C Larkin, E Doyle, H Sweeney, A McMahon, H Neville, H Graham, A Murphy. Coach: Alan Smith. Manager Elaine Smith. The 1st XI men of Enniscorthy Hockey Club made the trip up to Grange Road in Rathfarmham where they took on Three Rock Rovers on Saturday. With Christmas dinner a distant memory the Wexford visitors were back fit and ready to go to battle with one of the country's largest hockey clubs.
The game was the proverbial game of two halves, with the points being split between the two sides. Both sides started well with chances at both ends. For Enniscorthy, O’Leary came close to opening the scoring in the early moments of the game when a ball was passed across from Durnan, the ball agonisingly escaping the formers reach. O’Sullivan also came close to scoring, but the home sides goal stopper was in tremendous form, making a great save. It was the hosts, though, who opened the scoring, Rovers hitting the backboard after 11 minutes of play from a penalty corner. The Slaneysiders came close with O’Sullivan and Medcalf having chances, but found the home sides keeper in top form. Hill in the Enniscorthy goal was being called upon more and more as the first half progressed, his defenders finding the Rovers attack to be quite the handful. It was to get worse before it was going to get better for Doyle’s men when a mistake by Enniscorthy gave the Dublin side another chance, which they took with both hands, the shot passing high into the net, out of the reach Hill in the Enniscorthy goal. The visitors- although down by two- were still creating some great scoring chances when the half time whistle blew. The end-to-end action was to continue for the second half with Rovers hitting the post just minutes into the first half. Doyle’s men were not giving in and just 7 minutes into the second half O’Sullivan netted the visitor's first goal. The league leaders were on the rampage and 3 minutes later the game was level when O’Leary somehow managed to get on the end of a pass across the home side's goalmouth. Although rocked by the equaliser,the tide turned again as Rovers were now the ones putting pressure on their opponents. There was drama when the home side were awarded a penalty corner, a beautifully struck drag flick shot came very close to making it into the visitor's net. The ball took a deflection off an attacking stick and spun up, striking defender Andrew Rothwell in the face. Fortunately the Clonroche man was wearing a protective facemask at the time of the penalty corner. However, as a result the Dubliners were awarded a penalty flick as Rothwell had stopped a goal using an illegal part of his body. The home side got the lead for the last time in the match. Enniscorthy knew they were well capable of getting it back level again and just three minutes after conceding they did just that. Durnan once again made one of his dangerous runs as he used his speed and skill to beat his opponents. His through ball found Jordan, who passed on to O’Leary to grab his second goal of the game. It was all level at three goals a piece with 20 minutes left. The action packed game kept the spectators entertained right to the end, with both sides deserving of the shared points. Enniscorthy made a tremendous comeback, not once but twice and showed they have the determination required to compete with the best. Enniscorthy's lead at the summit of Division 4 now stands at four points, with a game in hand over second-placed Pembroke Wanderers 4th XI. The focus for Donal Doyle's side now switches to cup action as they take on Weston in the Leinster Intermediate Cup second round on Saturday in Lucan. Squad: Graham Hill, Andrew Rothwell, David Simmons, Ivan Rothwell, Cory Cooke, Glen Chapman, Roy Chapman, Daithi Medcalf, William Durnan, James O'Sullivan, Ciaran O’Leary, Jacob English & Mick Jordan. Coach: Donal Doyle. Manager: Fraser Rothwell On Saturday Enniscorthy ladies seconds took on Pembroke Wanderers 8th in Division 12 of the Leinster League at Serpentine Avenue. The Wexford side knew it was going to be a difficult challenge with Wanderers in third position in the league going into the fixture.
The game got off to a shaky start for the visitors with Enniscorthy conceding a penalty corner inside the first three minutes. Pembroke attacked with a high press, putting pressure on the Enniscorthy back line of D’Alton, Hatton, O’Doherty and Hayes who cleared the ball well. However, the the Dublin side scored after fifteen minutes making it 1-0. Enniscorthy reacted quickly with several chances in the circle and were unlucky not to score. Some great passing between Gainford, Murphy and Buttle saw Enniscorthy attacking all over the field, putting pressure on Pembroke. The second half started with the fast-paced Enniscorthy side pushing Pembroke and getting several penalty corners which were unlucky not to be converted with Hickey in excellent form on top of the circle. Wanderers were a threat on the counter thought, and the Enniscorthy back line defended Pembroke penalty corners well, with Medcalf in goal making some excellent saves. The Slaneysiders were rewarded in the second half with a brilliant goal from Hickey after a pass from Neville, making the score 1-1. Enniscorthy were unlucky not to score once more but the game ended as a draw. Next up in the league sees the ladies second eleven face second from bottom Naas 3rds in Enniscorthy on Saturday. Squad: Alice Medcalf, Serena Hatton, Amy D’alton, Emer O’Doherty, Julie Hayes, Megan Dempsey, Bridget Gainford, Ciara Murphy, Avril Buttle, Elaine Hickey, Mairead Neville |
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