A new season of hockey is under way with Galway Hockey Club opening their divison one campaign with a 3 - 0 victory over local rivals Greenfields.
Galway enjoyed the better of the exchanges in this opening game of the Connacht Senior League in Dangan against a young Greenfields side that was depleted due to a number of injuries.
Galway were quickest out of the traps and forced a number of short corners in the first 10 minutes. A powerful shot by Freddie Timmons from one of these corners came off the foot of Greenfields’ stalwart Catherine Moore resulting in her having to retire early.
This disrupted the Greenfields’ lineup and Galway piled on the pressure with Michelle Carey, Tara Melvin and Ali Hynes controlling midfield.
On the 20 minute mark Greenfields had their best chance of the half when a smart move off a short corner fed Mary Healy who just lost her footing at the crucial moment.
On the 25th minute Galway had another short corner from which Tara Melvin smashed the ball off the backboard with a powerful shot to give Galway a deserving lead.
Galway controlled the second half. From another short corner the ball was pushed out yet again to Tara Melvin and after some fancy stick work she passed to Michelle Carey who took her opportunity to score with a wonderful flick.
Galway piled on the pressure at this stage and Greenfields might have found themselves further in arrears were it not for some magnificent goal keeping by Sinead Collins. The pressure eventually paid a dividend when Elaine Carey cheekily pick pocketed the Greenfields’ defence to score an opportunist goal.
Just before the finish Greenfields made a valiant effort to pull one back when Clodagh Greally had a solo effort from defence, only to have her shot cleared off the line.
