in Irish Hockey Trophy Quarter Final
This trip to
The half hour delay at the start seemed to unsettle the visitors more and they took some time to settle into their normal passing game. NICS started brightly and were helped by some indifferent control by Greenfields early on. However the defence stood firm with Grealy at the heart of it, but ably assisted by Aine Collins, SarahMc Donald and the ever reliable Catherine Moore.
We had to wait 22 minutes for the first real chance and it fell to Greenfields who had now started to settle into their rhythm. Good work on the right from Liz Tighe saw the ball break to Becky Anderson whose stunning shot shaved a post. A minute later it was NICS who pressed hard with keeper Sinead Collins bringing off a great save high to her left. The hard working Alice Meagher was wide with a couple of chances but the first half finished scoreless with NICS pressing towards the end.
The second half saw Greenfields really upping the pace early and a shot from Neasa McGettigan off a short corner was well saved. The pressure finally told on 9 minutes with a great run from Neasa McGettigan through the middle. She found Alma Whelan freew ho gave a great pass inside to Rachel Wyer. Wyer cleverly drew the keeper and released to Mary Healy who slotted home from two metres. From here on it was a rearguard action to protect the lead and with Clodagh Grealy in command at the back Greenfields were able to see it out to the whistle. Even the loss of Catherine Moore with a knee injury and a swinging stick injury to Aine Collins weren’t going to stop this determined Greenfields side who were well worth their win and can look forward to the semis on March 23rd with some confidence.
Match report courtesy of Roddy Wyer
