Greenfields Hockey Club prevailed over old rivals Galway Hockey Club by 2-0 in the top division of the Connacht Senior League on Sunday.
Greenfields, with Clodagh Grealy and Neasa McGettigan back in action, started the game positively with Elaine Hall helping create early chances.
However, with the poor weather conditions making ball control difficult for both teams, Greenfields were unable to convert their chances into scores until the 15th minute.
Good work by Liz Tighe and Clodagh Grealy found Trish Garrett in the circle, and although her initial shot was duly saved by Galway keeper Tara Browne, the ball broke to Garrett who raised it over Browne into the roof of the net.
Neasa McGettigan had a chance to put Greenfields two-up a few minutes later, again great work from Hall, but her shot flew high and wide of the goal. The remainder of the first half saw Greenfields push for their second goal. Ellie Noone, McGettigan and Tighe were key figures in midfield, but the Galway defence of Emma Glanville, Hannah Gormley and Sadhbh Gavin dealt with the threats, while up front Aoife Codyre had the pick of Galway’s chances.
Galway played a more attacking game in the second half and pushed hard for the equaliser, forcing forcing keeper Sinead Collins to make some fine saves, while the Greenfields back line of Sarah McDonald, Clodagh Grealy, Kelly Dunleavy and Aine Collins dealt with everything that came their way.
Greenfield’s second goal came with 10 minutes remaining, following great work by Noone on the left who threaded a wonderful ball through to captain Alma Whelan. Whelan laid it off for Garrett who brought the ball into the top of the circle and struck a shot that dipped into the back of the goal.
Despite this setback Galway pushed on to create more opportunities with Emma Glanville coming close, but imaginative goalkeeping by Collins, including a backheel to clear the ball away from danger, kept Galway at bay.
Greenfields, with nine wins from nine and with just three games remaining, look like the real title contenders again.
Meanwhile Greenfields 2nds continued their decent form in the Connacht Senior league. They went into the Christmas break with a 1-1 draw against Galway 1sts with Siobhan Divilly on the mark, and continued this fine form with a 4-1 victory over Renmore 1sts on Sunday.
