E’CORTHY HOCKEY
Enniscorthy Hockey Club’s adult teams saw their Leinster League programmes begin over the weekend - with the exception of the ladies’ second XI - and the highlight was undoubtedly the success of the ladies’ first XI in their inaugural Division 7 match away to Clontarf.
Little was known about the opposition other than they had just been promoted from Division 8, while Enniscorthy travelled with four debutants - Róisín Tracey, Hannah Sweeney, Ciara Murphy and Alice Medcalf.
The travelling team got off to the brighter start and inside the first three minutes they were awarded their first short corner which Laura Smith converted with a well-executed strike on goal, leaving the goalie with very little chance.
There were some excellent passages of play throughout the first-half, with Laura Smith, May Wickham, Laura Bailey and Marti Rudd putting in a great effort in the middle of the field and providing the crucial link between defence and the attack of Avril Buttle, Olive Lett, Hannah Sweeney, Róisín Tracey and Ciara Murphy.
One such passage led to the second goal, when Laura Smith’s pass into the circle gave Róisín Tracey the perfect platform, which she duly capitalised on to make the score 2-0.
Hannah Sweeney showed great skill and potential in her debut for the side, making a number of attacks up the right side of the pitch, and on one occasion narrowly missing out on getting on the scoreboard when her beautifully-taken shot went just right of the post.
The travelling side were to score once more before the half-time whistle, the goal coming from a penalty corner, with Leah Chapman and Laura Bailey combining well for Irish Masters international Chapman to give Enniscorthy a three-goal cushion.
The Slaneysiders didn’t have it all their own way in the first-half. Clontarf put together some good passages of play and goalkeeper Alice Medcalf was called into action on a number of occasions, clearing her lines to keep a clean sheet going into the second-half.
Clontarf started the brighter in the second period and the defence of Julie Watchorn, Serena Hatton, Katie Owen and Leah Chapman had plenty to do. Clontarf signalled their intent early, having a goal from a penalty corner disallowed before pulling one back, after a quick free from outside the circle.
With 20 minutes left Clontarf scored their second goal with a well-worked strike from play. Enniscorthy had plenty of chances in the last quarter, with Olive Lett barely missing out on getting on the scoreboard when the ball was crossed in by Leah Chapman from the right wing.
Julie Watchorn was particularly strong in defence for the county Wexford side, making a number of vital clearances to keep the full-time score at 3-2.
This superb team effort leaves Enniscorthy joint top of Division 7 with Newbridge ahead of next week’s home clash against U.C.D., who will be looking to improve on their scoreless draw with Botanic.
Squad: Alice Medcalf, Julie Watchorn, Serena Hatton, Katie Owen, Leah Chapman, Laura Smith, May Wickham, Laura Bailey, Marti Rudd, Ciara Murphy, Hannah Sweeney, Róisín Treacy, Avril Buttle, Olive Lett.
Across the city at Abbotstown, the men’s second XI also delivered a strong start to the season, against newly-amalgamated side Dublin North in their opening encounter in Division 7.
Camolin’s Cian Hogan opened the scoring from a penalty flick before the hosts executed a well-taken equaliser. Hogan doubled his tally before the evergreen Robbie Walshe - captain for the day - bagged the third.
It was a more difficult encounter for the newly-promoted men’s first XI as they began life in Division 4 against Corinthians at Whitechurch Road. It was end-to-end stuff as both sides produced plenty of attacking play without creating much in the way of clearcut goalscoring chances.
The hosts went in at the break one up following a goalmouth scramble, the ball evading defender Andrew Rothwell’s grasp from close range.
James O’Sullivan - formerly of South East Wanderers and Wicklow - found the equaliser for the visitors with ten minutes left on the clock during a period the Wexford side dominated.
With minutes left, Ciarán O’Leary found himself one-on-one with Corinthians goalkeeper Andrew Pollock, the latter producing an outstanding save to deny Enniscorthy all three points.
Daithí Medcalf, William Durnan and the brothers Chapman - Glen and Roy - all put in strong performances which augurs well for life in the division and next week’s home encounter with Three Rock Rovers.
Squad: Graham Hill, Andrew Rothwell, Clive Rothwell, David Simmons, Ivan Rothwell, Glen Chapman, Roy Chapman, Daithí Medcalf, Cory Cooke, William Durnan, James O’Sullivan, Edmundas Liuikimas, Ciarán O’Leary.
In the only home game of the weekend, the ladies’ third XI played Kilkenny in their Sunday League encounter at the Astro Active Centre, drawing 2-2. Mairéad Neville and Melanie Ní Dhuinn were the goalscorers.