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Irish Senior Cup Round II - Nov 30th.

November 8, 2018


Pembroke  1  –  0  Greenfields

Connacht’s sole representatives in the Irish Senior Cup, Greenfields HC, travelled to Dublin last Saturday to take on Pembroke Wanderers in the second round of the Irish Senior Cup.  The Galway side went into the game top of the Connacht Senior League and enjoying very good form. But they faced a tough challenge, as Pembroke are currently lying fifth in division 1 of the Leinster Senior League and Greenfields had five of their squad unavailable due to injury. Pembroke who field 8 senior ladies teams, 6 men’s teams and whose facilities are considered one of the best in the capital went into this draw as favourites.

The game started off slowly with both sides taking their time to settle in to the play of the game. Greenfields best chance in the first half came after a good passage of play that started with Anna Boyce threading a ball through to Liz Tighe in midfield. She in turn played the ball through to Trish Garret on the right wing, who beat her player and found Pamela Ryan. Ryan’s shot which had beaten the keeper, was narrowly wide of the far post.  

Ellie Noone, Liz Tighe and Becky Anderson worked tirelessly in midfield throughout the first half. It was Pembroke though who had the better of the chances in the latter part of the 1st half, putting pressure on the Greenfields defence. The defence marshalled by centre back Sarah McDonald and goalkeeper Sinead Collins dealt with the Pembroke pressure throughout this period and were ably assisted by Greenfields player of the match Kelly Dunleavy, Anna Boyce and Aine Collins,who worked hard to keep the Pembroke forwards at bay. It was the Dubliners third penalty corner which lead to their goal. A goal bound drag flick by Rachel O’ Reilly was excellently saved by goal keeper Collins, but the resulting rebound fell to Pembroke’s Hayley O’Donnell, who made no mistake with a slap hit, which gave Collins no chance. This goal would prove a vital goal for the Leinster side.

Pembroke came out in the 2nd half with increased confidence but Greenfields never took the foot off the pedal. Greenfields forwards continued to search for the equalizer but Pembroke half court press prevented them from breaking through. The game finished 1-0 to Pembroke Wanderers and their reward is a home quarter final against fellow Dubliners Loreto.  Greenfields coach Deirdre McDermott can take a lot of positives away from this match and the experience gained will stand the squad in good stead as they prepare for the Irish Hockey League in March.