Winning weekend for Nenagh Ladies Hockey

Division 6: Nenagh 10-1 CofI/Garryduff

Nenagh’s first team set the tone from the opening whistle and didn't take long to get on the scoreboard. A short corner after seven minutes was dispatched by Aoibhinn Murphy, and the Tipperary side kept up the pressure for the rest of the opening quarter, rarely allowing CofI out of their own half.

The second quarter proved decisive, as Nenagh put their visitors to the sword with five goals before half-time. Katya Shorten started the run with a blistering burst down the wing, and her cross found Jennifer Slattery at the back post for a tidy finish. Shorten was at it again minutes later, carrying the ball from right to left before laying it on for Grace Mulrooney to finish from the spot.

Holly O'Brien then made a strong run and fed Shorten, and when the ball broke loose Shorten struck it firmly from the top of the D. The fifth came from a well-rehearsed short corner routine: Murphy played a one-two with Shorten and fired home from the flick spot for her second of the day. Right on half-time, a fine cross from Mulrooney took a deflection on its way in. It had come from inside the circle, so the goal went to Mulrooney, and Nenagh went into the dugouts 6–0 up.

The third quarter began as the second had ended. Shorten worked her way round the back line and cut the ball back for Mulrooney, who finished with ease. CofI then found a way through when Nenagh switched off at a short corner, and the visitors pulled one back. With the early-season legs starting to tire, Nenagh dipped for a spell, but Shorten soon ended any thoughts of a comeback. She ran almost the length of the pitch before picking out O'Brien at the back post to make it 8–1.

The final quarter produced the goal of the game, a flowing move that deserves special mention. Tara McTiernan broke down the wing and found Shorten on the edge of the D. Shorten slipped the ball across to Mulrooney, who brought it onto her reverse stick and hit it tomahawk-style into the far corner. Shorten rounded off a fine afternoon with a brilliant solo goal, beating defenders on her own to make it 10–1. By then CofI's heads had well and truly dropped.

Kayla Shorten was the standout player on the day. Along with her two goals she had a hand in most of Nenagh's attacking play, which was a welcome sight on her return to the side.

Division 7: Nenagh 3-2 Belvedere

If the firsts had it easy, the Nenagh’s Seconds team had to work much harder for their points against a tough, well-drilled Belvedere side.

An end-to-end first quarter produced all four first-half goals. Belvedere struck first from a short corner. The hit wasn’t clean but it squeezed between the Nenagh keeper's legs and into the goal.

Nenagh's response was immediate. A well-weighted ball through the middle found Hannah Delaney in space, and she carried it to the top of the D before rifling an unstoppable strike into the top corner. It was a wonder goal that brought the Nenagh supporters to their feet.

The Tipp side then took the lead when a scramble in the Belvedere circle broke kindly for Holly O'Brien, who tapped home at the back post.

The visitors weren't finished, though. Before the end of the quarter they won another short corner, worked it short at the top and fired it to the far right post to level at 2–2.

From there the game settled into a tight, hard-fought contest. Both sides created chances through the second and third quarters, and both hit the post. Nenagh had the better of the opportunities but couldn't find the breakthrough score.

It took until the fourth quarter for the winner to arrive, and it was well worth the wait. O'Brien picked up the ball and went on a mazy run, beating three defenders on her way into the D. As the Belvedere keeper advanced, she coolly slipped the ball to her side and inside the left-hand post. With Belvedere running out of legs, Nenagh saw out the remaining minutes to claim a gritty 3–2 win.

"The firsts were superb, particularly in that second quarter, and it was great to have Katya back on the pitch," said coach Colin Stanley.

"The seconds had to dig deep against a very good Belvedere side. It wasn't always pretty, but the girls kept their heads and found a way to win, and that's every bit as pleasing.”

The Firsts are in action again this weekend when they take on Ashton at home in what will be a busy weekend for the Club.

The Under 14 and Under 16 girls play Belvedere and CofI/Garryduff respectively, while Nenagh Junior Men kick off their campaign away to Midleton.