Nenagh Hockey Club
Senior Ladies: Nenagh 10-2 Ashton
The Nenagh ladies team headed to Ashton HC last weekend for their third league match of the season.
Looking to keep their winning streak going as they chase promotion, the Nenagh squad were fired up for the occasion. They came charging out of the blocks in the first quarter and blitzed the Ashton defence. It wasn’t long before Nenagh scored with some well worked passing sequences. Ashton looked shell shocked as another two goals found the net in quick succession.
The Cork side rallied and with some strong players in midfield they managed a counterattack which caught out the Nenagh defence for their first goal. Nenagh answered in kind and another swift and efficient Nenagh attack yielded another goal for the team in white bringing the score to 4-1.
Ashton had begun to find gaps in Nenagh defence and they worked their passes nicely to get into scoring position. Despite some calls of a wide ball, Ashton managed to whip the ball to the net. The controversial goal was allowed bringing the score to 4-2 at the end of the first quarter.
The home side were a different outfit when they returned for the second quarter and Nenagh had to defend solidly to keep them out. Ashton kept up the pressure throughout enjoying some good possession and field position. Neither team were able to add to the scoreline it was still all to play for heading into the second half.
At this point however, Nenagh found another gear and began to press forward winning a short corner as reward for their canny passing in the opposition D. Aoibhinn Murphy made no mistake and scored a wonderful goal. Ashton heads began to drop and Nenagh’s Tara McTiernan, who was superb up front, added to the tally. Further goals from Murphy, Ruby Benn, Ellen Seymour and Aine Egan rounded off the emphatic win for Nenagh.
Nenagh are now in a very solid position on the league table which they will look to extend when they return after a break this weekend.
Senior Men: Nenagh 0-3 CIAC
Nenagh took on Catholic Institute in Rosbrien at the weekend.
Despite being low on substitutes, Nenagh put in a solid performance and were disappointed to lose.
CIAC were first to score in the opening minutes despite some good defensive effort. Nenagh counter-attacked well and had some opportunities to level that were saved by some excellent goalkeeping. The home side nicked another goal in the second quarter to led 2-0 at half time.
The third quarter was a tense affair while Nenagh searched for a score to help launch their comeback. A sweet strike by Robin Rynhart was saved by some unbelievable goalkeeping. Nenagh's midfield duo of Declan Bourke and captain Hugo Stanley worked tirelessly to give the men in white every opportunity to launch attacks but the quarter ended goalless.
Nenagh had it all to do in the fourth quarter. CIAC nearly pulled away in the opening minutes when a drag flick shot was saved in spectacular fashion by the Nenagh goalkeeper who was at full stretch in an aerial position to block the shot in the top left corner. The game was finished off however when CIAC managed to break through the tiring Nenagh defence to slot the ball in.
“We are a bit disappointed with that game to be honest”, said player Colin Stanley.
"We felt we have great scoring opportunities and had CIAC not had such a skilful keeper we probably would've been level right up to at the final quarter and it would've been anyone’s game. That said, the lads played well and Declan Bourke in particular put in an unbelievable shift in midfield. Our performances are improving week on week and I think we gave CIAC a bit of a shock today to be honest”.
Under 18 Girls: Nenagh 0-0 Bandon
The Under 18 girls were in action in Thurles where they hosted Bandon.
The home side were dominant in the first half, playing controlled, smart hockey. Bandon found it difficult to gain a foothold anywhere near the Nenagh D as a strong work-rate by Ruby Mae Bourke and Celia Moreno in midfield kept them at bay. Hollie O’Brien linked well with Bourke and Moreno to send some sublime passes into the forwards where several shots on goal went agonisingly wide or were saved. Despite the Nenagh command, it was scoreless heading into half time.
The home side looked dangerous in the third quarter as they hunted for a break in the deadlock and their pressure was rewarded with a short corner. A super strike by Hannah Delaney failed to hit the back board and the goal was disallowed. Nenagh pressed again on the restart and won another short corner. Delaney again was unfortunate not to score when a deflection was deemed too high and the goal again disallowed. Bandon sensed luck was on their side and they made a concerted effort to attack. Stellar defending by the Nenagh backs kept them out and put the ball out of the danger zone time and again.
Despite controlling much of the game and having several chances the game ended as a scoreless draw.
Under 16 Girls: Nenagh 4-0 Kinsale
On Sunday, an excellent team performance saw a much deserved win for the Nenagh U16 girls in Bandon against a valiant Kinsale team.
Constant Nenagh first quarter pressure set the tone for the win. Nenagh forced a series of short corners and Eve Gunning was unlucky to see a good effort rebound off the post. The first quarter was scoreless with wingers Saoirse White and Ellen Shanahan very prominent.
In the second quarter, great defensive play from Dorothy Hackett allowed for some great field position which led to a fine goal from Hollie Clarke. Aibhilin Cantwell was forced to make a tremendous save when Kinsale counter attacked. A few seconds later, good passing by the visitors culminated in the ball falling to Mae Gannon in the opposition D and she took a cracker of a shot and finished with aplomb. Kinsale continued to press the visiting side but Nenagh were strong in defence with Ellen Malone, Ellen Ryan and Hollie Enright snuffling out any chances. Nenagh were in the lead 2-0 at half time.
The pattern continued into the second half. Lilly Delaney's accurate hit out kept the team moving forward. A good interception by Gunning and subsequent pass created another opportunity for Gannon who rifled to the top corner. With Clodagh McLoughney excellent in midfield, Kinsale were unable to get a foothold in the second half. Hollie Clarke completed the scoring for Nenagh in the fourth quarter to ensure a good win.
Team manager Natasha Clarke was delighted with the performance saying “every player contributed to that win. Kinsale is a good team and it is always challenging to come here but that was a very good squad performance and we are very happy to take those three points”.
Under 13 Boys
Nenagh played their first games on the Munster League on Sunday when they took on CIAC and Waterford in Thurles.
The boys were unlucky to lose 2-1 to a CIAC team who despite not having much possession, were clinical when they got their opportunities.
Nenagh enjoyed the majority of possession and field position but could not convert in front of the goal where they sent several balls wide. The team played very well in spells and when they moved the ball wide, they found lots of space on the wing. Some good defence by CIAC coupled with some missed opportunities in front of goal saw the game end 2-1 to CIAC.
Despite travelling with no substitutes, Waterford were energetic and moved the ball well. They drew first blood with a superb piece of play between their midfield player and winger. Nenagh goalkeeper Ruairi Slattery was unable to stop the shot that was sent just inside the post. Nenagh counter-attacked and some good passing play caused gaps to open up in the Waterford defence and Andy Kennedy was in the right position to level.
It was all to play for after half time and Nenagh were hesitant to make changes. Nenagh hearts stopped when a strike by Waterford which looked like a certain goal was saved brilliantly off Slattery’s leg guard sending it over the side-line. Minutes later, Brian Ley's hit on the ball went wide and Waterford immediately counter attacked. Some good defensive work by Nenagh won the ball and a lovely pass from Darragh McInerney on the wing found Kennedy in the D and Nenagh scored their second goal.
The minutes ticked by agonisingly slowly and Waterford to their credit kept plugging at the Nenagh defence. There was relief all round from Nenagh when the final whistle blew on a 2-1 win.
Nenagh will head to Garryduff for their next two matches on November 8th.