The Slaney siders had the advantage of a home game, only their second of the season. Corinthians travelled with a very strong team with a great mix of experience and youth, very similar to the home team of the day, Enniscorthy.
From the off Enniscorthy pushed hard and played some of the best hockey they have played all season, but unfortunately similarly to last week, Corinthians made it very had for the south east men to convert their chances into goals. Jonathon Rothwell came very close in the opening moments with some great team play and some great individual skill from the man himself, but unfortunately it wasn’t to be on this occasion. The Slaney sider’s kept the pressure on and worked some great plays down both the right and left wings. Corinthians chances did come though. On the counter attack, they put the home sides defence under pressure but they held strong and kept them out. Corinthians came very close to scoring from one of their first half short corners but thanks to the pressure of defensive short corner runners Roy and Glenn Chapman who put the visitors off enough to keep it all square at half time.
The second half was very similar, both sides gave it everything and it continued with end-to-end excitement. Enniscorthy were awarded a penalty flick mid way through the second half after a Corinthian’s player stopped the ball illegally from crossing the line from a shot on goal after a short corner. Clive Rothwell the South East side’s captain stepped up, but unfortunately couldn’t push the ball passed the very relieved Corinthians goalkeeper. Shortly after the Dublin side were denied a goal of their own to break the deadlock by the out reaching hand of Graham Hill, who pulled off a brilliant save.
It all ended square in the Astro Centre, with some sore tired bodies on both sides. For Enniscorthy, this was their final game of 2014 and a welcome break after the tough first half to the season. Their next outing in the New Year will be against Corinthians once again when they travel to St Columbus College on the 10th January, you can be sure another tough game will be on show.
Squad: Graham Hill; Andrew Rothwell; Keith OgilEvie; Clive Rothwell (c); Martin Veitch; Roy Chapman; Glenn Chapman; David Simmons; Jason Rothwell; Jonathon Rothwell; Seamus McAlister; Liam Jowett; Robbie Walshe; Daithí Medcalf; Rory Maguire; Ivan Rothwell.