Three first-half goals helped Greenfields Hockey Club overcome local rivals Galway 2nds by 4 - 1 in Dangan on Saturday.
Greenfields were a goal up after seven minutes when Mary Healy put the ball through the legs of Galway goalkeeper Natasha Cooke following a strong run from Dora Gorman into the circle.
Greenfields maintained the pressure and were two up after 12 minutes when Aine Collins tapped in off the stick of a defender from a short corner.
Galway rallied led by Emma Glanville and Elaine Carey twho took control at midfield and Carey was unlucky not to score on 20 minutes.
However it was Greenfields who scored next when Alison Ryan broke out of defence and played the ball on to Dora Gorman who powered forward towards the circle giving a sublime pass to Ciara Power who finished off.
Galway had the better of exchanges until half time and with three minutes to go they were rewarded with a superb goal from a short corner which Emma Glanville smashed into the Greenfields’ goal.
Galway started off the second half where they left off before half time and the first 10 minutes were played in the Greenfields’ half with Glanville and Carey again controlling mid field. Rebecca Dillon forced a great save from Sinead Collins and had three short corners before Greenfields came back into the game. Grace McCormick’s move to midfield proved critical and with five minutes remaining Aisling Keaveney had a great shot saved by Natasha Cooke, but Mary Healy was on hand to bang in the rebound.
