Enniscorthy Hockey Club men hit the road in this weekends Leinster Division 7 campaign. The South East men played St. Brendan’s Phoenix Park in a game that finished all square, with a goal a piece in the National Sports Campus Abbotstown.
Enniscorthy travelled with a smaller squad than last weekends win over Railway Union, without players such as Keith Ogilvie, Clive Rothwell, PJ Pierce and Cathal Ó Suilleabháin. Bad news came early on Sunday after their win over Railway that Cathal had broken a bone in his ankle during the game. We wish Cathal a speedy recovery and hope to see him back playing with the Enniscorthy Men as soon as possible.
The game started with both teams giving it everything, Enniscorthy’s defence was called upon on, but, they kept the gates closed and St. Brendan’s out. Graham Hill the away teams goalkeeper was tested and on several occasions, but his experience told over the young attackers of the Dublin side. The Enniscorthy attack was kept at bay for the first half by the Dublin sides defence. The first half was a half of frustration for the Enniscorthy side as some umpiring decisions went against them but they continued to fight hard and each player gave everything they could to get the opening goal of the game.
The half time team talk from manager Fraser Rothwell was positive for the traveling team, they kept fighting hard in the second half and ten minutes from time Enniscorthy were awarded a short corner that resulted in a goal for the visiting team. Roy Chapman got a great shot away from the on rushing defence, the home teams goalkeeper saved the first shot but Glenn Chapman was there to pounce on the loose ball and score for the traveling team.
With the home team on the back foot they gave it everything, with five minutes to go they were awarded a short corner that came off an Enniscorthy foot and were controversially awarded a penalty flick. With the chance of a draw on the cards the Enniscorthy goalkeeper kept his goal safe, a win was still possible for Enniscorthy. With just minutes to go St. Brendan’s penetrated the Enniscorthy defence to grab a goal and a point from a near loss.
The Enniscorthy players came off the pitch frustrated after a three point game changed to just a point when it was almost in their grasp. Traveling home to Enniscorthy, the Enniscorthy players came to the realisation that a point one the road and early in the season, was in fact a great result against a team that has had a very strong start to their season, with two wins, a draw and one loss.
The Enniscorthy men will be on the road next weekend, again in Dublin when they take on St. James Gate.
Squad: Andrew Rothwell; David Simmons; Roy Chapman; Glenn Chapman; Jason Rothwell (c); Seamus McAlister; Robbie Walshe; Graham Hill; Ivan Rothwell; Rory Maguire; Daithí Medcalf; Liam Jowett.
Enniscorthy travelled with a smaller squad than last weekends win over Railway Union, without players such as Keith Ogilvie, Clive Rothwell, PJ Pierce and Cathal Ó Suilleabháin. Bad news came early on Sunday after their win over Railway that Cathal had broken a bone in his ankle during the game. We wish Cathal a speedy recovery and hope to see him back playing with the Enniscorthy Men as soon as possible.
The game started with both teams giving it everything, Enniscorthy’s defence was called upon on, but, they kept the gates closed and St. Brendan’s out. Graham Hill the away teams goalkeeper was tested and on several occasions, but his experience told over the young attackers of the Dublin side. The Enniscorthy attack was kept at bay for the first half by the Dublin sides defence. The first half was a half of frustration for the Enniscorthy side as some umpiring decisions went against them but they continued to fight hard and each player gave everything they could to get the opening goal of the game.
The half time team talk from manager Fraser Rothwell was positive for the traveling team, they kept fighting hard in the second half and ten minutes from time Enniscorthy were awarded a short corner that resulted in a goal for the visiting team. Roy Chapman got a great shot away from the on rushing defence, the home teams goalkeeper saved the first shot but Glenn Chapman was there to pounce on the loose ball and score for the traveling team.
With the home team on the back foot they gave it everything, with five minutes to go they were awarded a short corner that came off an Enniscorthy foot and were controversially awarded a penalty flick. With the chance of a draw on the cards the Enniscorthy goalkeeper kept his goal safe, a win was still possible for Enniscorthy. With just minutes to go St. Brendan’s penetrated the Enniscorthy defence to grab a goal and a point from a near loss.
The Enniscorthy players came off the pitch frustrated after a three point game changed to just a point when it was almost in their grasp. Traveling home to Enniscorthy, the Enniscorthy players came to the realisation that a point one the road and early in the season, was in fact a great result against a team that has had a very strong start to their season, with two wins, a draw and one loss.
The Enniscorthy men will be on the road next weekend, again in Dublin when they take on St. James Gate.
Squad: Andrew Rothwell; David Simmons; Roy Chapman; Glenn Chapman; Jason Rothwell (c); Seamus McAlister; Robbie Walshe; Graham Hill; Ivan Rothwell; Rory Maguire; Daithí Medcalf; Liam Jowett.
