An Taoiseach to open Nenagh College all-weather pitch next Monday

ALL-WEATHER PITCH OFFICIAL OPENING

Taoiseach Micheal Martin T.D., will be on hand next Monday, 9th November at 2.30pm to official open the new all-weather pitch at Nenagh College.

The head of Hockey Ireland and some Irish hockey internationals will also be present.

Senior Ladies: Crescent 0-3 Nenagh

The Nenagh Ladies first team were away to Crescent in Limerick in what was tipped to be their toughest game in the league thus far in division 6 of the Munster League.

Crescent were promoted alongside Nenagh last year and so the teams were evenly matched for this fourth league game. Any concerns about the fixture were allayed in the first quarter as Nenagh were dominant from the tip off. An opening goal by Hollie O’Brien set the tone for what was a commanding performance.

Nenagh continued to control the game in the second quarter and Katya Shorten scored a brilliant individual goal, beating several Crescent players who were unable to deal with the pace and width that Nenagh brought to the game. Another goal from Shorten came minutes later when Aoibhinn Murphy laid off a beautiful pass to her which she finished clinically. Nenagh were the driving seat at half time leading 3-0.

Another goal early in the third quarter from a short corner which Murphy scored with a straight and powerful strike. Four goals down and with the pace of the game beginning to take its toll, the game petered out in the fourth quarter and Nenagh came away with the three points after a commanding controlled performance.

Senior Ladies: Nenagh 2-2 Crescent

The ladies second team in division 7 of the Munster League were in action at home in Nenagh on Sunday where they took on Castletroy.

Nenagh enjoyed the majority of the possession and played some wide expansive hockey. The hosts were first to score and despite looking the better team they leaked an equaliser before half time to bring the sides level.

Nenagh played all the hockey in the third quarter with Castletroy being pinned into their half for long periods. The sustained pressure yielded a second goal and Nenagh looked comfortable and in control.

A momentary lapse of concentration in the fourth quarter was capitalised on by Castletroy who took their chance.

Senior Men: Cork CofI 1-2 Nenagh

Nenagh had their first win of the Munster League away to Cork CofI on Sunday.

The game was evenly balanced in the first half but Nenagh leaked an early goal. The men in white looked the better side though and equalised from a short corner which was scored masterfully by James Whyte with a drag flick into the top left corner.

Nenagh controlled the game for long periods thereafter but when captain Ben Jones was sidelined with a hamstring injury, CofI looked to capitalise. Some strong defence by Nenagh kept the sides level heading into the fourth quarter. Jones came back on up front in a move that was to prove fruitful when he received a well weighted pass on the top of the D and buried it into the net for the winner.

Under 16 Girls

Nenagh had the honour of being the very first team to play competitively at the new state of the all-weather pitch at Nenagh College.

On this historic day for the club, the girls looked understandably nervous and started a little off the pace with Crescent first to the ball and looking the hungrier, resulting in the first goal which had a effect of galvanising the home side. They upped their game and settled more into their rhythm.

It was 1-0 to the visitors going into the second quarter but Nenagh had finally found their stride. It was a far more even quarter and a lovely move sparked by Lena Ryan on the right wing, looping in Mae Gannon who slotted a pass to Hollie Clarke, who finished the move with a goal in the back of the net.

Nenagh lacked the same urgency in the third quarter and Crescent came wave after wave with numerous short corners. Nenagh's defence was impressive as it has been all season with Robyn O'Sullivan, Eve Clarke, Ellen Ryan and Lilly Delaney snuffing out attempt after attempt and goalkeeper Aibhlinn Cantwell dispatching any shots that made their way through.

The final quarter saw a resurgence in the Nenagh energy and, in a reversal of the pattern in the third quarter, it was the home side who were on the attack with Lizzie Ryan instrumental in making plays and distributing well in midfield. The pressure was rewarded with a number of short corners, one cracker of a shot by Lilly Delaney was saved by the Crescent goalkeeper and the home side were unfortunate in not securing winning goal.

"It was a real honour to be the first team to play competitively on our amazing new facility here in Nenagh", said coach Hilary Curley.

"The girls played very well in patches, not so well in other patches but the most important thing is that showed their grit and ensured that they came away from the match with precious points".

Under 14 Girls

The U14’s were in action against Crescent HC last weekend. Some equipment issues left the team without an in situ goalkeeper for the first quarter and Crescent capitalised by scoring two goals in quick succession. Once Nenagh's goalkeeper was in place, the team worked tirelessly and played well to claw back a goal. They were unable to recover from the early disadvantage and the game ended 3-1 with Emily Harmse being named player of the game.