Greenfields Battle Through Irish Trophy 3rd Round
Greenfields started their defence of their Irish Trophy title with a battling performance against a strong YMCA side who made them fight all the way in a dour struggle at Dangan on Saturday.
This was a long way from the skilful displays which brought them a host of trophies last season, but Greenfields are nothing if not gritty and their spirit saw them come from an early goal deficit to snatch the win with a great goal from Mary Healy.
The early exchanges saw pressure from both sides with some good interchanges between Neasa McGettigan, Alice Meagher and Alma Whelan but YMCA were first to score when the ball went loose just outside the circle and YMCA were first to react and slotted it home via a deflection.
Greenfields responded immediately and came vey close to drawing level when a shot from Neasa McGettigan slid just wide after a short corner. The Dubliners continued to press but rock solid defence from Catherine Moore and the ever reliable Clodagh Grealy kept them at bay.
Greenfields raised their game through midfield with McGettigan and Rachel Wyer working hard until Wyer was forced off by a bone-crunching blow on the arm. The pressure finally told on 25 minutes when Liz Tighe slotted home the equaliser from close in after good work on the left from Alma Whelan.
The second half was a pretty dour battle with a lot of stoppages for injuries, a collection of cards for YMCA and no great flow to the play from either side. However it came to life in spectacular fashion with just 9 minutes left on the clock. LizTighe won the ball on the right and her pinpoint pass was met first time by Mary Healy who knocked it past the helpless YMCA keeper. And so it’s on to the quarter finals for last year’s Trophy winners, and who’s to say they won’t repeat that success after this gutsy display.
Match report courtesy of Roddy Wyer
Pictured below: A smiling Greenfields squad after their narrow victory over YMCA in the Irish Hockey Trophy Comp.
