Nenagh Ladies complete League and Cup double
Nenagh 2-1 UCC
Fresh from their league victory the previous weekend, Nenagh’s Senior Women's team headed to Cork on Saturday to play in the Munster Cup final against UCC.
The game was held at Garryduff Sports Complex on a water-based hockey pitch that was freshly watered due to the glorious weather.
Absent from the matchday team were some of the more seasoned players who had played a key role in Nenagh's league campaign. With silverware already won, there was no pressure on the Tipp side as they took to the pitch.
Having beaten UCC twice in the league, Nenagh were, on paper, the favourites. UCC, however, have a large squad with some of the most talented players in the province who take sabbaticals from their own clubs to play while studying their college courses.
Support was aplenty for both sides and flags adorned the railings as the teams took to the field.
As expected, a cautious opening few minutes ensued as both teams looked to get some early touches in to settle the nerves. As the opening quarter ticked by, Nenagh began to control the play with good distribution from midfield Celia Moreno and Tara McTiernan in midfield. Grace Mulrooney and Aoibhinn Murphy were denied any clear shots of goal by a tenacious UCC backline and the quarter ended scoreless.
With a strong technical coaching team in their dug out, UCC restarted the second quarter with a clear plan of neutralising Nenagh's pace in midfield and on the wing. Nenagh had themselves made some changes and while the play was end to end, the substitution of Lauren Grace midway through the second quarter proved to be a turning point. A blistering run by Jennifer Slattery up the wing put the UCC defenders on the back foot. Slattery sent a super pass to Grace who had made her way into the opposition D. She caught the ball beautifully on her stick and with one touch sent it into the goal.
Nenagh looked to widen the gap early in the third quarter and the work-rate of the midfield trio of Moreno, Carroll, and McTiernan was phenomenal. Mulrooney, Murphy, and Slattery up front kept the pressure on the UCC defence and were rewarded with a short corner. Nenagh took the set-piece well with Carroll and Murphy switching as they often have all season. The ball took a few deflections ultimately returning to Murphy's stick. There was little the UCC goalie could do with the ensuing powerful strike by Murphy and Nenagh went two goals ahead.
The response from UCC was swift as they began to chase the game with fourteen minutes to play. Within two minutes, they had won themselves a short corner and a prime goal scoring opportunity. Despite some brave running by Nenagh, the Tipp side failed to clear the ball out of the danger zone and a skilful UCC sent it high and into the net out of reach of the Nenagh GK, bringing the score to 2-1.
Rather than sit back and defend their single goal lead, Nenagh spent the remaining minutes camped in the UCC half, sensing that another goal was on offer. When UCC counter-attacked, Slattery, Mulrooney and Murphy tracked back to help defend and protect Nenagh's lead. Their work-rate and that of the midfield and defence paid off and the whistle blew to signal the game end and a historic win for Nenagh Hockey Club.
The Cup was presented to Captain Aoibhinn Murphy by President of Munster Hockey Nikki Stokes who praised the Tipp side's skill and tenacity.
"Winning a League and Cup double in any sport is impressive. To do it two years running and in their first year in Senior hockey is credit to this team's consistency and heart. And the club couldn’t be more proud of them" said Coach Colin Stanley.
Under 18 League
Nenagh’s campaign drew to a close on Sunday when they took on Clonakilty in Thurles.
The Cork side were top of the league but with Nenagh playing well the game was set to be a close encounter. Nenagh were denied on several occasions in the first half by superb goalkeeping from the Clonakilty keeper. When the visitors went one goal ahead, Nenagh equalised moments later to keep the game on a knife edge.
The league leaders were not to be undone however and when they scored their second, they shored up their defence in the final quarter to keep Nenagh out. The strategy proved successful and the game ended 2-1 to Clonakilty.
"We threw everything we had at Clonakilty today but as league leaders they were always going to be tough opposition. I am very proud of these players and how they have performed in their first season Under 18. We will rest now for a few months and enjoy the break until we return at the end of summer" said Coach Nanno Vuyk.
CLUB AWARDS
The senior ladies team celebrated at their senior night on Saturday where Captain Aoibhinn Murphy won Player of the Year as well as the Golden Stick Award as the top goal-scorer from both the senior men and women’s team.
Player of the Year for the Senior Men went to Colin Muir for his leadership and encouragement on and off the pitch.
A fond farewell was given to Celia Moreno who returns to Spain at the end of May. Despite her tender years, she plays with intelligence and heart, and has been a fantastic addition to the Club this season. Everyone at Nenagh HC thanks her for her contribution and wishes her well in her hockey career. We hope to welcome her back to Nenagh again in the future.