Greenfields1 secured a victory in their first outing in the Connacht Senior Hockey League with a narrow 1-0 win over defending title holders Galway1 at a chilly Dangan on Saturday evening.
The first half was dominated by strong defence from both sides with only a few clear chances. A good break up the right from Liz Tighe was Greenfields’ opening salvo, but nothing came of it, while Galway’s midfielder Elaine Carey made good progress from midfield, but the resulting short corner was well defended by a solid Greenfields’ defence marshalled by Clodagh Grealy and Catherine Moore.
At the other end Emma Glanville and Rachel Bradley were at the heart of a strong Galway defensive line making some excellent clearances.
The first of few scoring chances fell to Galway on 20 minutes when a skilful break from Alison Hynes won a short corner. The resulting shot brought a great save from Greenfield’s keeper Sinead Collins.
Good interplay in the centre from Clodagh Grealy, Neasa McGettigan and Alice Meagher finished with a long pass just sliding wide, while another great run from Galway’s Elaine Carey was well blocked by Clodagh Grealy.
Greenfields upped the pace early in the second half and were finally rewarded when a great shot from Alice Meagher was deflected into the top right corner, giving the Galway keeper no chance.
The only other clear cut chances fell to Liz Tighe who shot narrowly wide and a good effort from Roseanne Regan which was deflected for a corner. Galway had a couple of short corners with time running out, but Greenfields held on for the three points and a good start to their league campaign.
