In these early stages of the second half of Leinster’s Division 5 league every point counts and Enniscorthy Hockey Men 1st know that every three points will make a huge difference at the final weekend of the season. Last weekend the Slaney men travelled to NSC Abbotstown, Dublin to take on St. Brendan’s Phoenix Park, the last times these sides meet was in Enniscorthy, where the visitors took all three points in a tight game that finished 1-0. This time, in Dublin, the visitor from Wexford took all three points themselves in a reverse of the result with a 1-0 to Enniscorthy.
The South East team travel with a strong team but were missing key players Glenn Chapman and Edmundas Liukimas. As the game tipped off you knew this was going to be a tight game as Brendan’s started very strong putting the Enniscorthy defence under pressure but the visitors were cool under pressure and kept the Dubliners at bay. Graham Hill in goal was called upon in the early stages and showed his dedication and determination as he dived to save a goal only to have to put his head and helmet in the way to stop a rebound shot. This was a key point in the visitor’s game, all players were going to put their bodies on the line and gave everything in this game. Enniscorthy made good ground down the right side with Liam Jowett, Niall Maguire and Jacob English working very well together and kept the physical Dublin defence busy. St. Brendan’s came very close to breaking the deadlock when a long ball came threw from midfield only to rebound of the post and fall into the path of a Brendan’s forward, fortunately for Enniscorthy, Hill was quick to react and deal with the shot. Enniscorthy attacked and came close to breaking down the home side defence through attacks from Roy Chapman and John McWey and all beautifully controlled from centre midfield by Daithi Medcalf. Half time came and it was all square. Donal Doyle took his men in and wanted his boys to keep up the hard work and keep fighting.
In the second half Enniscorthy were kept busy as St. Brendan’s were awarded multiple short corners thankfully the short corner defence of Graham Hill, Roy Chapman, Martyn Vietch, Clive Rothwell and Keith Ogilvie was strong and dealt with each and everyone. Keith Ogilvie in particular was strong as he blocked down a number of powerful shots coming his way. On a day that involved the entire squad to be on their game, David Simmons and Andrew Rothwell were also called upon when short corner defence players were forced off due to blood substitutions and were ready to fill their boots. Enniscorthy were awarded one short corner in the second half and ended up with a goal from Niall Maguire. St. Brendan’s came back at Enniscorthy but the Wexford team were determined to hold onto the one goal advantage. The final play of the game was a short corner to St. Brendan’s and they put everyone forward as they went in search of a share of the points, the home side defence was not letting it slip and Keith Ogilvie yet again cleared the ball and it ended with an Enniscorthy win.
A break awaits the Enniscorthy Men next weekend as they have a weekend off before they take on Suttonians in Enniscorthy on the 20th February.
Enniscorthy Squad: Graham Hill; Andrew Rothwell; Keith Ogilvie; Clive Rothwell; Martyn Vietch; David Simmons; Daithi Medcalf; Liam Jowett; Roy Chapman; John McWey; Niall Maguire; Jacob English. Coach: Donal Doyle; Manager: Fraser Rothwell.
The South East team travel with a strong team but were missing key players Glenn Chapman and Edmundas Liukimas. As the game tipped off you knew this was going to be a tight game as Brendan’s started very strong putting the Enniscorthy defence under pressure but the visitors were cool under pressure and kept the Dubliners at bay. Graham Hill in goal was called upon in the early stages and showed his dedication and determination as he dived to save a goal only to have to put his head and helmet in the way to stop a rebound shot. This was a key point in the visitor’s game, all players were going to put their bodies on the line and gave everything in this game. Enniscorthy made good ground down the right side with Liam Jowett, Niall Maguire and Jacob English working very well together and kept the physical Dublin defence busy. St. Brendan’s came very close to breaking the deadlock when a long ball came threw from midfield only to rebound of the post and fall into the path of a Brendan’s forward, fortunately for Enniscorthy, Hill was quick to react and deal with the shot. Enniscorthy attacked and came close to breaking down the home side defence through attacks from Roy Chapman and John McWey and all beautifully controlled from centre midfield by Daithi Medcalf. Half time came and it was all square. Donal Doyle took his men in and wanted his boys to keep up the hard work and keep fighting.
In the second half Enniscorthy were kept busy as St. Brendan’s were awarded multiple short corners thankfully the short corner defence of Graham Hill, Roy Chapman, Martyn Vietch, Clive Rothwell and Keith Ogilvie was strong and dealt with each and everyone. Keith Ogilvie in particular was strong as he blocked down a number of powerful shots coming his way. On a day that involved the entire squad to be on their game, David Simmons and Andrew Rothwell were also called upon when short corner defence players were forced off due to blood substitutions and were ready to fill their boots. Enniscorthy were awarded one short corner in the second half and ended up with a goal from Niall Maguire. St. Brendan’s came back at Enniscorthy but the Wexford team were determined to hold onto the one goal advantage. The final play of the game was a short corner to St. Brendan’s and they put everyone forward as they went in search of a share of the points, the home side defence was not letting it slip and Keith Ogilvie yet again cleared the ball and it ended with an Enniscorthy win.
A break awaits the Enniscorthy Men next weekend as they have a weekend off before they take on Suttonians in Enniscorthy on the 20th February.
Enniscorthy Squad: Graham Hill; Andrew Rothwell; Keith Ogilvie; Clive Rothwell; Martyn Vietch; David Simmons; Daithi Medcalf; Liam Jowett; Roy Chapman; John McWey; Niall Maguire; Jacob English. Coach: Donal Doyle; Manager: Fraser Rothwell.
