Connacht Senior League - Opening Clash

Greenfields 1 had a narrow win over Galway 1 at a chilly Dangan on Saturday evening. This was Greens first outing in the Connacht Senior Hockey League and were looking for an opening 3 pointer against last year’s league winners.

The first half was dominated by strong defence from both sides with only a few clear chances. A good break up the right from Liz Tighe was Greenfields opening salvo but nothing came of it. Galway’s midfielder Elaine Carey made good progress from mid-field and the resulting short corner was well defended by a solid Greenfields defence marshalled by Clodagh Grealy and Catherine Moore.

At the other end Emma Glanville and Rachel Bradley were at the heart of a strong Galway defensive line making some excellent clearances.

The first of few scoring chances fell to Galway on twenty minutes when a skilful break from Alison Hynes won a short corner. The resulting shot brought a great save from Greenfields keeper Sinead Collins.

Good interplay in the centre from Clodagh Grealy, Neasa McGettigan and Alice Meagher finished with a long pass just sliding wide. Another great run from Galway’s Elaine Carey was well blocked by Clodagh Grealy who showed no ill effects from a bone crunching ball on the hand earlier. Successive short corners for Galway were well defended by a solid Greenfields defence leaving the first half scoreless.

Greenfields upped the pace early in the second half and were finally rewarded when a great shot from Alice Meagher was deflected in to the top right corner giving the Galway keeper no chance.

The only other clear cut chances fell to Liz Tighe who shot narrowly wide and a good effort from Roseanne Regan which was deflected for a corner. Galway had a couple of short corners with time running out but Greenfields held on for the three points and a good start to their league campaign.

                                                      Match report courtesy of Roddy Wyer