Rynhart hits Enniscorthy winner

THE ENNISCORTHY ladies’ first hockey XI travelled to Railway Union on Saturday for their Leinster Division 7 match, and emerged with three crucial points.

Enniscorthy started promisingly with Ciara Kelly and Isabelle Walsh both making circle entries. The turning point came soon after, with midfielder Leah Chapman making a pinpoint pass to Sonja Rynhart whose strike gave the goalkeeper no chance. Ryhnart suffered a hand injury in the process.

The visitors continued to pressurise the hosts, earning a brace of penalty corners in quick succession, without success.

Railway were not without their moments, however, turning over an Enniscorthy sideline, and working a shot on Norah McGinty’s goal after a scramble in the semi-circle.

A breaking ball from debutante Beibhinn O’Brien reached the ever-dangerous Isabelle Walsh who entered the Railway circle once again.

The attacking trio of May Wickham, Sonja Rynhart and Isabelle Walsh worked hard to keep the defenders on their toes.

A ball by Ciara Kelly into Wickham caused the ‘keeper to race off her line, but Wickham’s shot went wide.

Caoimhe Larkin had a chance to double Enniscorthy’s lead, going one-on-one with the Railway goalkeeper, but the netminder made an impressive save.

Enniscorthy then fell asleep, handing the initiative over to Railway, but captain Julie Watchorn made numerous strong tackles under pressure, keeping the forwards at bay.

The four Enniscorthy defenders were confident on the ball, re-cycling it quickly around the back using Hannah Graham on the right in space, and she worked it up the wings.

The midfield trio of Ciara Kelly, Jessie Flood and Leah Chapman worked hard to create chances for Enniscorthy’s attack, with Chapman in particular showing great skill in the centre linking passes between midfield and the forward line.

In the 25th minute, the Slaneysiders won another penalty corner that was turned over by the defence.

The hosts again showed their potential when pressure from the Railway attack resulted in a strike from the top of the D into an attacker at the penalty spot who deflected it wide.

Just before the break two consecutive penalty corners were given away by the visitors as Railway continued to hammer at the Enniscorthy defence, one for a dangerous ball and another from obstruction in the circle.

Managing to avoid conceding, the Enniscorthy defence of Hannah Graham, Beibhinn O’Brien, Ellen Creed and Julie Watchorn were relieved to see half-time.

The second-half started as the first ended with both teams turning defence into attack. Julie Watchorn made a crucual save off the line, preventing a goal for Railway.

There was great support play up the field between Jessie Flood and the forwards but

after a few failed attempts and a scramble in front of the opposition’s goal, Enniscorthy couldn’t find the net.

At the other end and through the work of Ellen Creed and Hannah Graham, the Railway attack had a hard time making space in the last quarter, forced to hit long-distance strikes.

With ten minutes remaining, Railway had an opportunity, working a two v. one opportunity, forcing goalie Norah McGinty to make a stick save which rebounded to another Railway attacker. Combined work from McGinty and her defence cleared the danger.

The match ended 1-0 after a hard-fought battle between two impressive teams. Enniscorthy remain at the top of the table, nine points ahead of second-placed Muckross.

Rathgar visit the Astro Active Centre on Saturday and Enniscorthy will be hoping for a repeat of September’s 2-0 win over the Dublin outfit.

Squad: Norah McGinty, Ciara Kelly, Isabelle Walsh, Jessie Flood, Ellen Creed, Hannah Graham, Sonja Rynhart, Caoimhe Larkin, Beibhinn O’Brien, May Wickham, Julie Watchorn, Leah Chapman.