Mixed fortunes for Nenagh hockey teams

A PACKED schedule last weekend, kicked off with Nenagh HC’s Under 14 girls playing Cashel New Inn in Thurles in their first Munster League action of the season.

The girls played out of their skins against a solid well coached Cashel New Inn Team.

The Nenagh side won comprehensively with a final scoreline of 4-0.

Most valuable player on the day, Emily Harmse, was outstanding and scored a hat trick. A great first outing for the girls, which they will be looking to build on as the league progresses.

UNDER 16s DEFEATED

At the same time Nenagh's U16 squad played at home in Thurles against Dungarvan. The team started slowly and were penalised by a savvy clinical Dungarvan side who sensed the gaps and quickly slotted four goals in. To their credit, despite being four goals down, the Nenagh side rallied and played some super hockey.

Dungarvan were very comfortably ahead and they used width and speed to move the ball well amongst their players. The game ended 6-1 to the visitors with Nenagh left to rue their slow start against such strong opposition.

BOYS UNDER 13

The u13 boys travelled to Garryduff Sports centre to take on Cork Church of Ireland at home in the water logged hockey pitch.

A small squad travelled with some players new to hockey made the task a challenging one. The Nenagh lads played well in their first game but just lacked the firepower up front to give them the lead. Although Nenagh had most of the possession, their attacking play left them open in the back and when C of I broke though on a run, Nenagh were punished. Some stellar goal keeping by GK Ruasiri Slattery was not enough on the day and Nenagh lost 2-0

UNDER 9s AND 11s

On Sundays Nenagh U9 and U11 boys travelled to UL sports arena for a morning of hockey. The boys were superb, winning three of the four games and scoring some fantastic goals.

LADIES

In Limerick also on Sunday, Nenagh's ladies team took on Crescent HC in a top of the table clash. The game was played at a ferocious pace from the tip off with both sides very evenly matched. Nenagh had the majority of the possession in the first half and looked to be the more dominant side. They failed to convert their dominance into goal scoring chances, and the first quarter ended nil all. Crescent emerged much more determined in the second quarter and periods of sustained pressure led them to win a short corner which was well defended by Nenagh.

The pressure continued on the restart with Crescent working their way back up to the Nenagh goal. A goalmouth scramble resulted in a Crescent goal which remained the only score of the quarter. After the half time break Nenagh went on the search for the equaliser. Some great interplay by Tara McTiernan, Grace Mulrooney and Aoibhinn Murphy gave Nenagh the goal they needed to level the match.

Nenagh needed to maintain the pressure, but Crescent's fitness and workrate was immense and they applied serious pressure onto the Nenagh defence. A harsh short corner was awarded for a collision outside the D, and despite some brave running and goalkeeping, the Limerick side managed to score.

Nenagh had it all to do with the clock running down in the final quarter. They had some chances but the home side had a solid defence that was difficult to breach. A final push in the dying minutes gave Nenagh great field position but the final whistle was blown just when Nenagh looked to threaten the goal.

The Visitors were disappointed to have lost such a tight game but nevertheless are relishing the return leg when Crescent will have to travel to Thurles.

MEN’S OUTING

Nenagh's men also had a tough fixture when they travelled to Bandon to take on Bandon Men’s in their 8th game of the league.

Nenagh played some fabulous hockey in the first quarter, resulting in two excellently well worked goals.

The home side were a skilful unit and it wasn't long before they threatened the Nenagh goal and clawed back the scores. Nenagh went on to score again, but their lack of substitutes on the day made the pace of the game difficult to contend with for the 11 men on the field. The game ended 5-3 to Bandon.

“I really feel that was a game we could have won on another day, said player Colin Stanley after the game. “We were the better team, had some great chances but ultimately, we needed to have options on the bench to allow us to put in a complete performance. We have a couple of good fixtures coming up and are confident we can get some good results to pull us up the table.”