Nenagh Hockey Club

Munster Ladies Cup: Nenagh 5-0 Midleton

Nenagh put in a superb performance at home on Saturday against Midleton to book their place in the Munster Cup final.

Nenagh started well from the first whistle putting Midleton's defence under considerable pressure. They were rewarded with a short corner which captain Aoibhinn Murphy scored with a straight strike just inside the left post. Midleton counter-attacked and Nenagh's defence had to work hard to keep them out with some important saves by goalkeeper Alannah Stanley keeping them ahead after the Cork side had several shots on goal. Nenagh recovered from this passage of Midleton dominance and worked well to keep possession.

The second quarter saw Nenagh continue to dominate and when awarded another short corner, Murphy again struck the ball beautifully to bring the score to 2-0. Midleton had some further good passages of play but the Nenagh defence held well. Nenagh exited from their backs swiftly and some crisp passing culminated in Jane Carroll receiving the ball on the top of the Midleton D. She slapped the ball just inside the left post in what was a brilliant goal just before the half time whistle.

Fully in control, the home side started the second half confidently with a substantial cushioning of three goals. They had some great passages of play, spreading the ball wide and keeping the tempo of the game high. Jennifer Slattery made some quick runs on the wing passing the ball into the Midleton D. Nenagh won another short corner and on this occasion, Grace Mulrooney received the pass from Murphy and scored to further widen the gap between the teams.

Nenagh continued to dominate for the remainder of the game adding a further goal to their tally in quarter four in a piece of great individual skill by the Captain that sent a ball straight into the roof of the net. Midleton to their credit kept plugging away at the Nenagh defence but came away empty handed.

The ladies will meet UCC in the Cup Final at the end of April. In the meantime, they continue on their league campaign, playing Belvedere HC next weekend.

Munster Men’s League: Nenagh 4-4 Cork C of I

Nenagh were in Munster League action in Thurles against Cork C of I in what was a thrilling eight-goal encounter.

Nenagh opened the scoring in the first quarter with Luke Blackwell scoring a wonderful goal from play. With his exceptional pace on the wing, coupled with some great distribution from captain Ben Jones in midfield, Blackwell managed to score another minutes later.

The Cork side had their chances too and some pressure on the Nenagh defence won them a short corner which they scored. Nenagh had a few other scoring opportunities that were just wide of the goal.

A short corner score by C of I in the second quarter drew the sides level, but Nenagh were enjoying the majority of the possession and looked the more threatening going forward.

It was all even heading into the second half with C of I the first to score in the third quarter to edge ahead after Nenagh had sent a shot just wide moments earlier. Nenagh levelled again towards the end of the third quarter with a great goal from Hugo Stanley who finished following a sublime through pass from James Whyte.

The fourth quarter was pulsating with both sides having opportunities to edge ahead. A foul in the Nenagh D gave the visitors the opportunity they needed to go ahead and they took it well to bring the score to 4-3.

Nenagh found another gear and pressed forward with wave upon wave of attack. Ben Jones was tireless in midfield feeding passes into the forwards.

One such pass found Luke Blackwell whose ensuing shot was stopped on the line by a foot and so a penalty stroke was awarded. Drag specialist Whyte took the stroke and scored to bring the sides even again.

The game ended in a draw with neither side able to find the winning goal before the clock wound down.

The Men travel to Bandon next weekend for their Munster Cup semi-final which they will be hoping win to prolong their season as Munster league fixtures draw to a close.

Munster Under 16 League: Nenagh 1-3 Cashel/New Inn

Nenagh played heretofore unbeaten league leaders Cashel-New Inn in Thurles.

The last meeting of the teams was a comprehensive victory for Cashel-New Inn and Nenagh were hoping to make the contest a closer one on this occasion given the improvements made this season.

Nenagh’s defence was forced to soak up a huge amount of pressure in the opening quarter as Cashel-New Inn camped in the D. The defence held well and some counter attacks by Nenagh were well worked through good interplay between midfield and the forward line. While both sides had some good goal scoring opportunities the first half ended scoreless.

Cashel-New Inn started the third quarter well bringing a new tempo to proceedings. They were rewarded with two goals in quick succession. Now chasing the game, Nenagh upped their work-rate. Great runs by Ellen Shanahan on the right wing gave Nenagh good scoring opportunities several shots on gaol were saved by the excellent Cashel-New Inn goalkeeper. Nenagh were finally rewarded for their efforts with Abigail Murtagh slotting in a goal bringing the score to 2-1 heading into the final quarter.

The last quarter was played at a frantic pace with both sides having opportunities. The Nenagh defence, typified by the excellent work-rate of Sarah Spillane, put in a huge effort to keep opponents out and get the ball up the field to the forwards who in turn caused all kinds of problems at the other end. The last five minutes saw the pressure paying off for Cashel as they slotted in another goal to bring the final score at 3-1.

"Every single one of the girls played their hearts out today," said coach Hilary Curley.

"Even though we lost, we were right in it to the end and on another day, with a different bounce of a ball, we could have come away with at least a draw which we deserved. Four months ago, this team came and beat us 7-0. The girls have improved so much since then so they should be proud of the progress they have made over the season".

Underage

The U8 girls played a blitz at Crescent college where they played some great hockey, scoring several goals against strong opposition and saving many more.

The U11 boys travelled to Daingean in Galway on Sunday where they played the Tribesmen, Catholic Institute and Castletroy - winning two of their games and drawing the third.