Greenfields Ladies have advanced to the semi-finals of the Irish Hockey Trophy after securing a 1-0 win over NICS at the weekend.
The Galway side will now face another daunting trip to Belfast where they face Belfast Harlequins, who overcame Omagh by 4 - 0, in the semi-final in two weeks’ time. NUIG were forced to bow out by 2 - 1 to Lisnagarvey despite Tara Melvin’s goal effort for the students.
Greenfields were pushed all the way by NICS in a tough and bruising encounter, but they showed considerable stamina and a winning mentality to come on winners.
The half hour delay in the start seemed to unsettle Greenfields more and they took some time to settle and their defence, led by Clodagh Grealy and assisted by Aine Collins, Sarah Mc Donald and the ever reliable Catherine Moore, was forced to stand firm in the opening 20 minutes.
The first real chance fell to Greenfields soon after when good work on the right from Liz Tighe saw the ball break to Becky Anderson whose stunning shot shaved a post. A minute later NICS forced a great save from Greenfields’ keeper Sinead Collins. The hard-working Alice Meagher was wide with a couple of chances, but the first half finished scoreless with NICS pressing towards the end.
Greenfields upped the pace early in the second half and a shot from Neasa McGettigan off a short corner was well saved. However their pressure was finally rewarded after nine minutes when Neasa McGettigan set up an attack with a great run through the middle. Alma Whelan and Rachel Wyer were involved before Mary Healy slotted home from two metres.
Despite the loss of Catherine Moore with a knee injury and a swinging stick injury to Aine Collins, Greenfields, with Grealy in command at the back, protected their lead to see it out to the whistle.
