Nenagh Hockey Club

Senior Ladies: Nenagh 1-0 UCC

Nenagh took on UCC who travelled to the Ursuline in Thurles for the opening game of the Munster League on Saturday.

It was a special occasion for the Nenagh side who lined out in navy for the fixture. This match marked the first game of any women's hockey team in Nenagh in over twenty years. The ladies who played back then were a formidable side who competed really well at a provincial level. Training on the all-weather pitch at Nenagh College, the side were together for several years before eventually disbanding in the early 2000s. The demise of the team coincided with hockey no longer being played at secondary school level and the flow of players into the women's team dried up.

It was an emotional day on Saturday as a new generation of players donned the Nenagh jerseys and look to breathe new life into a sport that was much loved among the female population of Nenagh and the surrounding areas for many generations. The significance of the day was put to one side however once the teams too to the pitch.

The first quarter was very evenly matched with both sides having equal possession. Nenagh had a few early scoring opportunities which went just wide of the target.

UCC had plenty of pace and at times put the Nenagh defence under pressure. Hannah Ben was solid in defence and the early UCC attacks were dealt with swiftly and efficiently.

The second quarter was played at a much higher intensity with both teams looking to open the scoring. Nenagh's midfield players linked well and played perfect ball into the top of the D. The shot was saved by the keeper who lay on the ball thus conceding a penalty. Nenagh’s player of the year, Ruby Benn, took the stroke and she masterfully scored with a powerful shot.

The score settled the home side and they looked very comfortable on the ball, spreading it wide and creating several more chances. UCC had plenty of talent in their squad too and when they found themselves in the Nenagh D some quick reflexes from the Nenagh goalie to keep them in front heading into half time.

Nenagh's impact subs Áine Egan and Grace Mulrooney brought an extra dimension to the play in the second half and they began to control the game. While UCC often looked threatening, Nenagh bested them in every aspect of play. The home side were unlucky not to score again in the third and fourth quarters where prime opportunities were saved and sent just wide.

The full time whistle blew with Nenagh winning 1-0 much to the delight of the supporters.

The team travel to Midleton next weekend for their first away match where they will be looking to build on this performance and get some valuable game time for the squad.

Senior Men: Nenagh 1-7 Garryduff CofI

Nenagh's Men took on Garryduff/CofI in their third match of the league last weekend.

The Cork club has three teams in division 2 and this game was against the highest ranked of those three. Nenagh have been playing better week on week but facing a strong Cork side in their third outing was a tough challenge.

Nenagh were overwhelmed in the first quarter with the pace of play and passing far outpacing anything they have encountered to date. They were stunned when clinical finishing in very quick succession saw them leak early goals without getting to leave their half for much of the first quarter. The attacks kept coming from the Cork side and superb finishing by a top class forward line put Nenagh down four goals heading into the second quarter.

To their immense credit, Nenagh emerged after the break and appeared to have sized up their opponents. They began snuffing out their attacks, defending strongly and launching quick and swift counterattacks bringing play into the oppositions D. Nenagh were quickly awarded a short corner for their efforts. A well-worked play gave the ball to newcomer James White who scored a superb goal with a drag flick an inch inside the left post.

The Cork side had no response and Nenagh played exceptionally well in the second quarter, enjoying much of the possession and having a number of other good opportunities in the Cork half.

While the deficit was still challenging, the Nenagh lads came out at half time determined to continue to look for scores. There were moments of exceptional interplay which yielded lots of great field position. Nenagh had a few shots on goal in the third quarter which went frustratingly wide.

The Garryduff side however had some strong skilful players and despite some stellar goalkeeping again from Nanno Vuyk, Nenagh conceded another couple of goals. Despite the scoreline. The men were pleased with the overall performance.

Under 18 Girls: Nenagh 3-1 Limerick

Nenagh's U18 girls played Limerick HC in Villiers School on Sunday.

The teams last met when they played in the Munster Cup final back in April where the Limerick side took home the Cup and so this was a tough first fixture for Nenagh to start their league campaign.

Nenagh looked very strong and composed from the first whistle and Limerick appeared a little shell-shocked. Nenagh were camped out in the Limerick D and won six short corners in quick succession. However, they failed to score from these prime scoring opportunities and instead, against the run of play, Limerick counter-attacked and scored.

The girls in white were not deterred and continued to press forward and create opportunities. Celia Moreno brought play into the Limerick D and in a fabulous piece of individual skill scored the equaliser. Nenagh continued to control the game but the second quarter ended with the sides level.

Nenagh continued to press forward and move the ball well in the third quarter and Lorna Ryan scored a super goal to put Nenagh ahead. Always a threat in attack, Ryan was gliding forward into the Limerick D when she was fouled badly by two defenders and was awarded a penalty. Moreno took responsibility for taking the penalty stroke and made short work of burying it in the back of the goal bringing the score to 3-1.

Limerick continued to press the Nenagh defence for the remainder of the game but they could find no way through Isabelle Hegarty and her back line. The game ended with a comprehensive win by Nenagh. The team will take a lot of positives from the game and while set plays did not go according to plan on the day they will be relishing their next game against rivals Castletroy.

Under 16: Nenagh 0-4 Crescent

The U16 girls who were drawn against Crescent HC for their first fixture of the season on Saturday.

The home team started well with Abigail Murtagh making great runs on the wing that had the Crescent defence scrambling backwards to defend. Nenagh were unlucky not go ahead when a shot by Eve Gunning narrowly missed the target.

Crescent had plenty of opportunities in the opening half too and the Nenagh side were forced to concede several short corners. Super defence by Sarah Spillane and Clodagh McLoughney kept the visitors out and it was all level at the half time whistle.

When the teams emerged after the break, Nenagh were a little slow to regroup. Some minor errors were punished by Crescent who seized their chances and slotted in two goals in quick succession.

It was still all to play for and although they were now chasing the game the Nenagh side pressed forward. Their positive play resulted in some great goal scoring opportunities but the Limerick side defended excellently. Crescent counterattacked and with Nenagh pressing forward some gaps opened up in defence. Again, the visitors were clinical in their finishing and they slotted in another two goals in relatively quick succession.

"The scoreline certainly doesn't reflect what was really a very competitive match", said coach Hilary Curley.

"Given it is this team’s first year playing at this level, we will use this experience it to learn and improve as the season progresses. I was very happy with the performance of the girls today, loads of positives to build on going forward'.