News

Irish Senior Cup - Round I Report

November 8, 2018

Greenfields lose out with a brave performance.

 

Greenfields hockey club put up a very brave performance today against a slick and skilful Corinthians side in the first round of the Irish Senior Cup. This was the first outing from the Galway side at this level and they certainly showed that they are well capable of competing at the highest level despite going down on a 2 – 1 scoreline.

 

Greenfields had won qualification to the premier cup competition in Irish hockey by winning the Irish Trophy last season. This competition is a big step up in standard with the top teams in the other provinces playing. Corinthians play in Division 1 of the Leinster Senior League

 

Despite the appalling conditions at Dangan both sides battled the rain and hail to give the die hard supporters plenty to cheer about. The game was played at a breakneck pace with the Greenfields defence holding out stoutly to a fast and furious start from Corinthians.

 

Great defence from Catherine Moore and Clodagh Grealy and a number of excellent stops from keeper Sinead Collins kept Corinthians at bay until they finally got on the scoreboard from a short corner with a great shot from Carol McGowan.

 

Ten minutes later Corinthians took control when a penalty decision went their way. Clodagh Grealy put her body on the line to save a definite goal and a penalty stroke was awarded. Again Carol McGowan stepped forward and converted.

 

Greenfields grew in confidence through the second half and good work by Neasa McGettigan, Elaine Hall, Rachel Wyer, Alice Meagher and Liz Tighe created chances which went unrewarded. A couple of short corners gave Greenfields chances with Mary Healy’s shot producing a fine save from the Corinthinans keeper. Following a great break from Clodagh Grealy, Alma Whelan saw her shot go just wide.

Any further attacks from Corinthians were repelled by the ever capable Catherine Moore, Sarah McDonald and Siobhan Divilly and Greenfields pressed forward to gain something from the game.

 

With a minute left on the clock Greenfields finally got the reward for their heroic efforts with a well taken goal from a short corner by Mary Healy.

 

While all the team and coach Deirdre Mc Dermott were really disappointed not to progress in the ISC, the IHA club of the year can be justly proud of their first venture into the big time of Senior Cup and will certainly have learned a lot from this outing.

They are really looking forward to taking on Fermoy on the 24th Nov. in defence of their Irish Trophy.