Knocknacarra surprised last year’s champions Newcastle when they won the Galway Community Games title by 3 - 1, and they will now represent the count at the Connacht finals on July 21
While most of the Knocknacarra squad were new to this level of hockey, Newcastle fielded most of the side that was victorious last year. The champions started the stronger and mounted a number of attacks early on, winning some short corners, but the defence held out with Suran Tierney and Lillian Matthews controlling the centre of the defence and Mairead Divilly and Elenor O’Byrne clearing everything on the flanks.
As the half progressed Knocknacarra’s midfield trio of Niamh Halloran, Eva Dill and Kate Hennessy began to take control and in the 11th minute Leah Casey found the Newcastle net to set her team on the way.
A terrific run by Rebecca Gilligan got Newcastle back into the match when she finished to the net from just inside the circle, but within two minutes Leah Casey had struck again for a 2 - 1 half-time lead.
Newcastle created second-half chances but failed to convert a number of short corners and Knocknacarra sealed the win when Kate Hennessy scored from close in.
