E’CORTHYHOCKEY

After a break of four weeks due to a postponed game two weeks ago, the Enniscorthy hockey club men’s first team welcomed Wicklow firsts for what has become a local derby game.

On every occasion these sides meet it is always a thrilling and tough encounter, with many games ending all square. Last Saturday was no different as going into the game both sides were joint top of Leinster Division 5 with equal points and goals for and against.

Wicklow started strong, as they were the quicker to settle into the game. Enniscorthy were unsettled, perhaps due to being a little rusty after their extended break without a game.

The Slaneysiders were dealt a blow when they lost sweeper Simmons when a ball deflected up off a stick, hitting him above the eye. Roy Chapman dropped back into sweeper for the period Simmons was off and joined defenders Vietch, Ivan Rothwell and Andrew Rothwell.

Unfortunately for Enniscorthy, losing the ever-reliable Simmons seemed to put the home side under pressure as they rushed when they were on the ball and made uncharacteristic mistakes that Donal Doyle’s men wouldn’t usually make.

Wicklow took advantage of this and pushed the Wexford men. They were first to break the deadlock when a well-played ball was sent down the right wing where it was pushed into Hill’s circle before being met by a free attacker who skilfully sent ‘keeper Hill in the wrong direction. He slotted the ball into the now empty goal before an Enniscorthy defender could get across.

Tensions were high with Wicklow having a man green carded and sent to the corner for two minutes, as Enniscorthy tried to settle and get a hold of the game.

However, Wicklow were taking their chances when Enniscorthy were unsettled as they were well aware of the threat Enniscorthy pose. Ten minutes after their first goal, Wicklow managed to secure a second when they intercepted an Enniscorthy pass.

The Wicklow attacker found himself in a one-on-one with the Enniscorthy ’keeper and Wicklow came victorious out of the encounter. Shortly after, Enniscorthy was restored to their starting back line when Simmons returned to the field to try to get his men back into the game.

Enniscorthy held strong and kept the visitors at bay and were happy to hear the whistle blow for the end of the first-half.

Donal Doyle rallied his side as he tried to get them to re-focus on the game. They started the second-half a lot stronger than they had been in the first.

The midfield partnership of Medcalf and the Chapman brothers, Glenn and Roy, and midfield substitute Jason Rothwell were getting more time on the ball and pushing forward and feeding attackers Jowett, Maguire and Liukimas along with attacking substitute Durnan.

On a number of occasions they came agonisingly close to reducing the gap but no matter how hard they tried, the Wicklow defence wanted to keep a clean sheet. Wicklow were awarded a number of short corners but the determined defence of the home side proved very quick at clearing the danger.

With just ten minutes to go and the Slaneysiders throwing everything at it, Doyle took off a defender and added an extra man up front in to aid their search for a goal. Enniscorthy were awarded a number of shorts but it wasn’t until the very last short corner and in fact the last play of the game when any score resulted.

Enniscorthy put everyone up for it, just leaving ‘keeper Hill in their half of the pitch. A ball to the top was slipped right to Liukimas who pushed it past the charging defence of Wicklow who could do nothing to stop the powerful shot.

It finished 2-1 with all three points going back to Wicklow. Enniscorthy will go to Clontarf next Saturday.

Enniscorthy: Graham Hill, Andrew Rothwell, David Simmons, Martyn Vietch, Ivan Rothwell, Daithí Medcalf, Glenn Chapman, Roy Chapman, Liam Jowett, Edmundas Liukimas, William Durnan, Niall Maguire, Jason Rothwell. Coach: Donal Doyle. Manager: Fraser Rothwell.

A bitterly cold Sunday afternoon saw Enniscorthy ladies’ firsts face Carlow for the first time this season. Enniscorthy started with their choice of sides, with captain Olive Lett choosing to start the game with our backs to the low winter sun. With a Carlow pass back, Enniscorthy looked to start attacking strong from the word go.

The first five minutes saw Enniscorthy winning their first short corner. Winger Sonja Rynhart took a strike that came off the foot of a Carlow defender for a second short corner, defended well by Carlow.

Carlow rebounded with an attack and won their own short corner. Enniscorthy were determined to not let the ball pass the ’keeper and the short corner was defended well by Katie Owen, Jessie Flood, Áine O’Brien and Julie Watchorn.

The first goal came from excellent teamwork from Enniscorthy and superb passing up the left-hand side of the pitch. Sweeper Watchorn took the hit out, finding left-back Katie Owen on the sideline, and she pushed up the line.

The ball found midfielder Anna Flood near the top of the circle and she slotted it into the left post for forward Marti Rudd to deflect past the Carlow ’keeper, giving the home side the lead.

After half-time, the home side came back determined to add more points to the scoreboard, and worked the ball well around the backs, with right-back Áine O’Brien pushing to midfielder Ruth Harrington for some lovely play up the right side of the pitch.

Centre mid Anna Flood worked tirelessly to try to penetrate the Carlow circle but the experienced visiting defenders made the task a difficult one. Flood’s efforts paid off when she found winger Rynhart on the left post, and Rynhart managed to flick the ball across the ’keeper into the right corner of the goal at an impressive angle.

Not long after, Enniscorthy won another short corner. O’Brien pushed a quick and accurate ball to Rynhart who took a direct shot from the top of the circle, striking the ball through the Carlow ’keeper’s legs.

The full-time whistle blew, leaving the home side with a 3-0 victory and looking forward to facing Wexford firsts on December 4.

Enniscorthy: Fiona Rothwell, Katie Owen, Julie Watchorn, Jessie Flood, Áine O’Brien, Ruth Harrington, Nancy Dunphy, Leah Chapman, Anna Flood, Olive Lett, Sonja Rynhart, Laura O’Leary, Marti Rudd, Niamh Buttle. Coaches: Donál Doyle and Ivanna Yeats. Manager: Irene Doyle.

Gorey started play by taking the tip against Enniscorthy ladies’ seconds in the South-East League on Sunday.

A quick-paced game followed with the home side making some lovely runs up the field. Serena Hatton kept the ball travelling in the right direction with strong clearances.

Gorey hit back and won a free outside the home circle, but defenders Róisín Ó Muirí and Ilsa Flynn were ready for it. Gorey then won a short corner but gained nothing from it as the defence team stayed strong.

The ball was cleared by Róisín Ó Muirí but Gorey won another short corner. They gained nothing from this one either thanks to an impressive save by Aoife Foran.

Gorey gained another two shorts but were unable to score thanks to the Enniscorthy defence.

The ball was cleared and taken up by Avril Buttle who made a fabulous run. A Gorey free saw the ball make its way back up the field again and another short corner ensued.

Serena Hatton saved a shot on goal to keep the sides level. Kim O’Connor worked with Alice Doyle and Fiona Breen to move play quickly up the field. Avril Buttle got a lovely shot on goal.

Another short corner earned Gorey a goal. Enniscorthy responded, with Alice Doyle and Eleanor Bolger mov- ing the ball well. Enniscorthy won a short corner as play came to a close.

The home side played out two short corners but were unsuccessful in scoring, and the match ended 4-0 to the away side.

Enniscorthy: Aoife Foran, Serena Hatton, Ilsa Flynn, Kim O’Connor, Róisín Ó Muirí, Eleanor Bolger, Alice Doyle, Fiona Breen, Caroline Doyle, Amy D’Alton, Avril Buttle, Niamh Buttle, Mairéad Neville. Coaches: Donál Doyle and Ivanna Yeats. Manager: Irene Doyle.