In difficult conditions in Dangan on Sunday, Greenfields Ladies first X1 continued their unbeaten run in the Connacht Senior Hockey League.
With the Irish Senior Cup and the Irish Hockey League ahead of them, it was important for Greenfields to continue their good form, and they did so in a tough match against last year’s Senior Connacht Cup winners NUIG.
Greenfields started the stronger of the two sides with some great attacking from Pam Ryan, Alma Whelan and Trish Garrett. However these chances in the first 15 minutes were dealt with effectively by the NUIG defence which was controlled by Clare Watson and Amy Rossiter.
NUIG’s Amy O’Connor, Orla Callanan and Tara Melvin kept the pressure on, but they too were held by the Greenfields’ defence where Anna Boyce moved into right back with Sarah McDonald stepping into a central controlling position.
Although NUIG’s game really opened up towards the end of the first half, it was a quick free by Greenfield’s Ellie Noone that broke the deadlock. Mary McDonald found space on the far post and deflected the ball high into the back of the net for a spectacular goal.
NUIG fought to the end in search of an equaliser, but some fine saves from the ever reliable Sinead Collins, together with solid defending by Aine Collins and Neasa McGettigan, and hard work in midfield from Becky Anderson, Elaine Hall and Liz Tighe, kept NUIG at bay to maintain their unbeaten record.
Greenfields 2nds were also in action when they lined out against Yeats. In a fast-paced game it was the Galway side that looked more in command early on. Although Yeats threatened on occasions, the young Greenfields players converted their chances with Clodagh Kennedy (2 ) Rebecca Gilligan, Kate Hennessy and Ailish Walsh getting on the scoreboard to make it Greenfields 5 Yeats 0.
