Greenfields defy the odds

GREENFIELDS made the long journey to Belfast last weekend for their second round tie in the Irish Hockey League against Ulster League leaders Ards.

The Galway club went into this match knowing it was going to be tough to get a result against high flying Ards on their home turf. Greenefields had lost out to Leinster side Loreto 5-2 two weeks prior in round one of the league, so the pressure was on to deliver a result.

The game was played in ideal conditions except for a brisk wind. Greenfields scored inside the first five minutes against Loreto and repeated this excellent start again on Saturday.

Alex Hunt again getting her name on the score sheet, this time after just two minutes to put the Connacht champions ahead with an unstoppable shot from the left top side of the circle after great build up play through midfield players Ellie Noone and captain Neasa McGettigan.

The goal shocked the home crowd to silence and set Greenfields on their way to their first points in the competition this season. Ards were spurred into life and they remained camped in the Greenfields 25 for the next 10 minutes.

The hosts won a number of penalty corners which were ably dealt with by the Greenfields short corner defence team of Elaine Hall, Neasa McGettigan, Catherine Moore, Kelly Dunleavy and goalkeeper Sinead Collins. The score remained one nil to Greenfields after the first quarter.

Greenfields regrouped and settled down in the second quarter with some good attacking play again through Hunt and fellow forwards Kate Hennessy and Trish Garrett. However Ards pressure continued and after numerous penalty corners, Collins’ goal line was finally breached.

A well worked Ards short corner was deflected into the net by Ards Janice Vaughan, giving Collins and her short corner defence team no chance. Greenfields heads never dropped and Alex Hunt was clear on goal with only the keeper to beat when the half time hooter went.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.