Nenagh Women win Munster Hockey League
In their first foray into Senior competition, Nenagh Women's team not only secured promotion but also won the Munster League outright following a playoff against Crescent on Sunday.
The only team to have bested Nenagh all season, Crescent and Nenagh were joint leaders at the end of the group stage, forcing a playoff to decide the ultimate victors.
Nenagh had suffered their only defeat of the season at the hands of Crescent back in October. Still smarting from the loss, Nenagh triumphed over them when they played the return leg in January.
With a large supporting contingent despite the clash with the Tipp v Cork match, the game tipped off at 2.30pm with Crescent having the home advantage. Nenagh had a few chances in the opening few minutes of first quarter signalling their intent from the get go.
They continued to press and were awarded a short corner, captain Aoibhinn Murphy smashed the ball home to the delight of the travelling support.
Crescent reset well and mounted a strong counterattack which yielded the equaliser through some deft play in behind the Nenagh defence.
The game continued to be played at a high tempo in the second quarter and strong running and passing gave Nenagh great field position ultimately resulting in a short corner. Murphy again was at the heart of the manoeuvre and a switch to Jane Carroll gave Nenagh their second goal.
Crescent reacted well, winning a short corner of their own moments later which was dealt with well by the Nenagh defenders.
A Nenagh attack shortly thereafter saw midfielder Celia Moreno get into the ball which she slotted home with ease to give the girls in white some breathing space heading into half time.
Crescent emerged from half time knowing they needed to score next. A talented team, with some highly skilled players, they pressurised Nenagh's defence and had several shots on goal which were saved and cleared by a determined Nenagh back line and sharp reflexes from goalkeeper Alannah Stanley.
The Nenagh management knew they needed another goal to go comfortably ahead and were relieved when Nenagh managed not to concede despite the Crescent onslaught in the third quarter.
With the league title in their sights, the Tipp side hit the field for the fourth quarter determined to finish out the game as victors.
Despite tiring legs, they moved the ball well drawing the crescent defence out wide. Grace Mulrooney who had caused all sorts of problems for the Crescent defence with her skill and pace, got just rewards for her efforts when she scored a beautiful goal, Nenagh's fourth.
The goal signalled victory for Nenagh given the time remaining but Crescent continued to press and did not ease up until the final whistle. A jubilant Nenagh celebrated with families and supporters on the pitch.
“I am absolutely delighted for this team,” said coach Colin Stanley.
“We lost and gained players this year, so it was a transitional season for us as we knew it would be. But we have finished strongly and the outcome reflects the squad strength we have. I am proud of what the women have achieved and it's great to win some silverware especially as Nenagh's first senior team in over twenty years.”