Enniscorthy Hockey Club's adult teams saw their Leinster League programme begin over the weekend - with the exception of the ladies second XI - and the highlight was undoubtedly the success of the ladies first XI in their inaugural division 7 match away to Clontarf.
Little was known about the opposition other than they had just been promoted from Division 8, while Enniscorthy travelled with four debutants- Roisin Tracey, Hannah Sweeney, Ciara Murphy and Alice Medcalf. The travelling team got off to the brighter start and inside the first three minutes they were awarded their first short corner which Laura Smith converted with a well-executed strike on goal leaving the goalie with very little chance.
There were some excellent passages of play throughout the first half with Laura Smith, May Wickham, Laura Bailey and Marti Rudd putting in a great effort in the middle of the field and providing the crucial link between defence and the attack of Avril Buttle, Olive Lett, Hannah Sweeney, Roisin Tracey and Ciara Murphy. One such passage led to the second goal, when Laura Smith's pass into the circle gave Roisin Tracey the perfect platform, which she duly capitalised on making the score 2-0.
Hannah Sweeney showed great skill and potential in her debut for the side, she making number of attacks up the right side of the pitch and on one occasion narrowly missing out on getting on the scoreboard when her beautifully taken shot went just right of the post.
The travelling side were to score once more before the half time whistle, the goal came from a penalty corner with Leah Chapman and Laura Bailey combining well for Irish Masters international Chapman to give Enniscorthy a three goal cushion . The Slaneysiders didn’t have it all their own way in the first half, Clontarf put together some good passages of play and goalkeeper Alice Medcalf was called into action on a number of occasions clearing her lines to keep a clean sheet going into the second half.
Clontarf started the brighter in the second period and the defence of Julie Watchorn, Serena Hatton, Katie Owen and Leah Chapman had plenty to do. Clontarf signalled their intent early, having a goal from a penalty corner disallowed before pulling one back, after a quick free from outside the circle. With 20 minutes left Clontarf scored their second goal with a well worked goal from play. Enniscorthy had plenty of chances in the last quarter, Olive Lett barely missing out on getting on the scoreboard when the ball was crossed in by Leah Chapman from the right wing. Julie Watchorn was particularly strong in defence for the county Wexford side, making a number of vital clearances to keep the full time score at 3-2.
This superb team effort leaves Enniscorthy joint top of division 7 with Newbridge ahead of next week's home clash against UCD, who will be looking to improve on their scoreless draw with Botanic.
Squad: Alice Medcalf, Julie Watchorn, Serena Hatton, Katie Owen, Leah Chapman, Laura Smith, May Wickham, Laura Bailey, Marti Rudd, Ciara Murphy, Hannah Sweeney, Roisin Treacy, Avril Buttle, Olive Lett.
Little was known about the opposition other than they had just been promoted from Division 8, while Enniscorthy travelled with four debutants- Roisin Tracey, Hannah Sweeney, Ciara Murphy and Alice Medcalf. The travelling team got off to the brighter start and inside the first three minutes they were awarded their first short corner which Laura Smith converted with a well-executed strike on goal leaving the goalie with very little chance.
There were some excellent passages of play throughout the first half with Laura Smith, May Wickham, Laura Bailey and Marti Rudd putting in a great effort in the middle of the field and providing the crucial link between defence and the attack of Avril Buttle, Olive Lett, Hannah Sweeney, Roisin Tracey and Ciara Murphy. One such passage led to the second goal, when Laura Smith's pass into the circle gave Roisin Tracey the perfect platform, which she duly capitalised on making the score 2-0.
Hannah Sweeney showed great skill and potential in her debut for the side, she making number of attacks up the right side of the pitch and on one occasion narrowly missing out on getting on the scoreboard when her beautifully taken shot went just right of the post.
The travelling side were to score once more before the half time whistle, the goal came from a penalty corner with Leah Chapman and Laura Bailey combining well for Irish Masters international Chapman to give Enniscorthy a three goal cushion . The Slaneysiders didn’t have it all their own way in the first half, Clontarf put together some good passages of play and goalkeeper Alice Medcalf was called into action on a number of occasions clearing her lines to keep a clean sheet going into the second half.
Clontarf started the brighter in the second period and the defence of Julie Watchorn, Serena Hatton, Katie Owen and Leah Chapman had plenty to do. Clontarf signalled their intent early, having a goal from a penalty corner disallowed before pulling one back, after a quick free from outside the circle. With 20 minutes left Clontarf scored their second goal with a well worked goal from play. Enniscorthy had plenty of chances in the last quarter, Olive Lett barely missing out on getting on the scoreboard when the ball was crossed in by Leah Chapman from the right wing. Julie Watchorn was particularly strong in defence for the county Wexford side, making a number of vital clearances to keep the full time score at 3-2.
This superb team effort leaves Enniscorthy joint top of division 7 with Newbridge ahead of next week's home clash against UCD, who will be looking to improve on their scoreless draw with Botanic.
Squad: Alice Medcalf, Julie Watchorn, Serena Hatton, Katie Owen, Leah Chapman, Laura Smith, May Wickham, Laura Bailey, Marti Rudd, Ciara Murphy, Hannah Sweeney, Roisin Treacy, Avril Buttle, Olive Lett.
