GOREY HOCKEY
Gorey 5, Dublin North 1: Saturday saw Gorey ladies’ hockey club travel to the National Sport Centre to take on Dublin North in the Division 11/12 Cup quarter-final.
Dublin North started the game well in the opening minutes, making runs up their wings and threatening Gorey’s circle. Entering the D, Dublin North won their first short corner.
Left-back Ruth Evans ran first runner and deflected the ball wide for a long corner. Dublin North took their corner quickly, passing the ball towards Gorey’s penalty spot, however goalie Fiona Mythen made the important save to deny Dublin the opening score.
Zoe Kenny came on so Ruth could have her minor hand injury taken care of.
Gorey settled at last. Centre back Bridget Kenny took the hit out, finding Robyn Swords who sent the ball directly into Dublin’s circle.
Only on the pitch, subsitute Zoe Kenny was on hand to slot the ball home, giving the visitors an early lead. Dublin North questioned the score but the referee confirmed the ball was over the line and the goal stood (1-0).
From the re-start, midfielders Nicola Ryan, Robyn Swords and Sarah Merrigan worked hard to gain possession which eventually paid off with a free.
Gorey’s Gillian Bailey found Sarah Merrigan on the right wing and she dribbled into Dublin North’s D, cleanly striking the ball directly into the back left corner of the goal and doubling the lead (2-0).
Re-starting the game, Lyndsey Walters stole possession once more making a run up the wing, with Nicola Ryan and Olive McGarry trading passes.
A free inside the ‘23 found Bridget Kenny who flicked the ball onto Muireann Deegan, finding Dublin North’s goal and increasing the lead to 3-0.
Dublin North re-started, making numerous runs up the right side. Excellent play from Olive McGarry and Nicola Ryan won the ball.
Gorey entered their circle one more time. Lyndsey Walters and Zoe Kenny were camped out in front of Dublin’s goal. A clever deflection from Zoe gave Gorey the 4-0 cushion.
With a couple of minutes to the halftime whistle, Dublin North attacked down the left side. Two missed tackles allowed Dublin into Gorey’s circle where their first goal was scored from a tight angle into the far post. At halftime it was 4-1.
Dublin North had push back and applied the pressure. With a 4-1 lead, Gorey sat back, allowing more open play with both sides trading blows.
Gorey then started to press, along with some precise passing between the backs and midfield comprising Imogen McGuinness, Gillian Bailey, Bridget Kenny, Ruth Evans (who had returned to the field), Nicola Ryan, Robyn Swords and Olive McGarry.
Dublin North also worked hard and they were awarded a penalty corner. Their direct shot was saved by Gorey’s goalie, Fiona Mythen.
A second corner was given but Gorey defender Imogen McGuinness struck the ball well away from danger.
With the match coming to a close, Gorey saw off Dublin North’s persistence. Olive McGarry took one last free from the halfway line, passing to Bridget Kenny who in turn found Muireann Deegan, and she swept the ball into the far corner, making the final score 5-1.
Gorey are now through to the semi-finals at the end of January. Best of luck ladies. Thanks to all our supporters who travelled.
Gorey: Fiona Mythen (capt.), Ruth Evans, Bridget Kenny, Gillian Bailey, Imogen McGuinness, Sarah Merrigan (1), Robyn Swords, Nicola Ryan, Lyndsey Walters, Muireann Deegan (2), Olive McGarry, Zoe Kenny (2).