E’CORTHY HOCKEY

Enniscorthy’s ladies’ first eleven got their season off to a winning start last weekend, earning all three points with a 2-0 win away to Rathgar.

Enniscorthy dominated possession from the get go. With some great play up both wings to Hannah Sweeney and Laura O’Leary, as well as creativity in midfield through Irish trialist Niamh Ogilvie, Ciara Kelly and Leah Chapman, Enniscorthy were threatening Rathgar’s circle time and time again.

After a stoppage in play to allow for Rathgar’s injured goalkeeper to receive attention, it wasn’t long before Enniscorthy got a goal on the scoreboard.

After a strong run by debutant Caoimhe Larkin down the left wing, Laura O’Leary made no mistake, hitting the backboard with a deadly backstick strike.

The visitors earned another goal chance on the verge of half-time when centre forward May Wickham worked well to force a penalty corner. Rathgar’s goalkeeper, though, denied Enniscorthy from doubling their lead, saving a shot from Laura Smith from the right.

Rathgar came back fighting after the break, putting pressure on the defence of Susannah Doyle, captain Julie Watchorn, Hannah Graham and Laura Smith.

They began attacking down the lefthand side, but were stopped in their tracks with some excellent backstick blocks by Leah Chapman.

It wasn’t long before Rathgar reaped the rewards of their attack and won a penalty corner. However, the visiting defence held strong, and prevented any danger in and around ’keeper Norah McGinty.

End-to-end action followed with the Wexford ladies winning their own penalty corner just minutes later, following good inter-linking play between midfielder Ciara Kelly and winger Sonja Rynhart.

Rynhart played a pivotal role throughout, causing trouble in and around Rathgar’s circle, but it was Ireland Under-18 trialist Niamh Ogilvie who grabbed the winner following a penalty corner.

This was a very positive start for the L1s and it paves the way for an extremely exciting season with many new young players - only four squad members on Saturday were over the age of 20 - stepping into the Senior set-up. There is no doubt that the team will be wanting to replicate that performance on Saturday when they take on Clontarf at home.

Enniscorthy: Norah McGinty, Julie Watchorn, Laura Smith, Hannah Graham, Susannah Doyle, Niamh Oglivie, Leah Chapman, Ciara Kelly, Laura O’Leary, May Wickham, Hannah Sweeney, Caoimhe Larkin, Sonja Rynhart.

Enniscorthy’s men’s first XI were also on the road on Saturday when they made their first away trip of the season, visiting Rathgar seconds for a keenly-contested Division 3 encounter.

Donal Doyle’s men went behind early on when the home side were awarded a penalty corner just six minutes into the game, with Stu Cinnamond goaling.

For the remainder of the half it was end-to-end play with Enniscorthy having the lion’s share of the attacking opportunities, but poor passing proved to be their downfall.

Liukimas came close for Enniscorthy when, from a penalty corner, his shot went narrowly wide. William Durnan also had an opportunity to equalise but his goalbound shot fell foul of an umpiring decision.

The home side doubled their lead just six minutes into the second-half, with Dan Matveyeff nicking a crucial deflection from a penalty corner.

Enniscorthy, though, kept piling on the pressure and with 15 minutes to go Rynhart pulled a goal back. At 2-1 to Rathgar and time running out, Enniscorthy sensed an opportunity, especially when young gun Rynhart doubled his tally with eight minutes to go following a penalty corner.

The visitors pushed forward for a winner but left a gap in their defence which Rathgar took full advantage of, with Matveyeff getting the all-important winner via a back post deflection.

Donal Doyle’s side’s next encounter is a much-anticipated home fixture against local rivals Wicklow on Saturday, October 13, and the visitors will be eager to bounce back from two losses in their first two league matches.

Enniscorthy: Graham Hill, Andrew Rothwell, Ivan Rothwell, David Simmons, Glenn Chapman, Roy Chapman, William Durnan, Cory Cooke, Seb Rynhart, Edmundas Liukimas, Jacob English, Eamonn Sweeney.

After their big win the previous weekend, it was back to earth with a bang for Enniscorthy’s men’s second XI when they fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Weston in Lucan.

The hosts began brightly, forcing three early saves from Glen Rothwell in the Enniscorthy goal, followed by a disallowed goal. Cian Hogan was proving troublesome for Weston, knifing through the Dubliners’ defence and also shooting narrowly wide just before Weston opened the scoring through a scrappy Shane O’Hare goal.

Weston then doubled their advantage with a real sucker punch of a goal following a period of sustained pressure by the Cathedral town side just before the interval, with Daire Doyle scoring.

Enniscorthy began the second-half much the brighter, hitting the post ten minutes in. In a game full of niggle, both sides received green cards but the visitors were unable to find a way through a well-drilled defence.

Enniscorthy: Glen Rothwell, Mick Jordan, Clive Rothwell, Jack Doran, Robin Doyle, Alan Smith, Cian Hogan, Robbie Walshe, Graeme Chapman, Mark Ennett, Shay O’Leary.