Greenfields women complete cup and league double in terrific style

Greenfields  4

NUIG  1

GREENFIELDS Hockey Club completed the double for the second year in a row by beating NUIG in the Connacht Senior Cup final on St Patrick’s Day in Dangan to add to the provincial senior league title.

The game was played in glorious conditions and began at a fast pace. NUIG enjoyed the better of the exchanges in the first ten minutes but were unable to convert their chances into goals with the Greenfields defence of keeper Sinead Collins, Megan Forde, Mary McDonald, Kelly Dunleavy and Carmel Heery standing firm.

It was a nervous start from some of the younger Greenfields players but after great build up play from captain Neasa McGettigan the ball eventually found its way to Trish Garrett who made no mistake with the finish to give Greenfields the lead somewhat against the run of play.

This settled Greenfields and approaching the 20 minute mark Neasa McGettigan found Alma Whelan on the right hand side of the pitch who beat her marker and raced towards the circle and laid off for the inrushing Ellie Noone who bravely and cooly slotted the ball into the goal to make it 2-0. Greenfields continued to press with some fine defending from NUIG and they were unlucky not to add to their tally.

They dominated the second half from the start despite the best efforts of NUIG’s stand out player Freddie Timmons and tireless work from Rachel Bradley. However this pressure eventually led to Greenfields third when Alex Hunt fired home a well worked short corner after a clever switch from Mary McDonald at the top of the circle.

NUIG never gave up and were rewarded with a goal following a short corner with four minutes left on the clock. They continued to press but were reduced to ten players for the last two.minutes. The resultant short corner was cooly finished by Kate Hennessy after a well executed pass by McGettigan at the top.

It was a great team performance from the winning team with some fine displays with the Player of the Match going to Siobhan Divilly of Greenfields. Connacht President Yvette Quinn presented the Connacht Senior Cup to team captain Nessa McGettigan.

It capped another great season for Greenfields Hockey club who were also presented with the Kennedy Connacht Senior League Cup by Ger Comer. Greenfields remain undefeated for two seasons and have once again completed the league and cup double.

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