Munster title for Nenagh Hockey club
Under 16: Nenagh HC’s Under 16 team are Munster champions having come top of their league with a considerable points difference between Nenagh HC and next in line Ashton.
The team rounded off their impressive league performance with a late afternoon game away in Waterford. The team was changed considerably with lots of absences, but vice-captain Ava Collins led the team on and off the pitch. With the league comfortably in the bag the game was a great opportunity to give younger players a feel for playing on a full pitch. The game was an entertaining encounter with lots of great hockey played most notably a stormer of a goal by Nenagh’s Audrey MacNamara which was one of the most memorable of the season.
The team will receive their Munster silverware at the end of season gala at the Abbey Court Hotel on Friday, April 21st.
Under 14: Playoffs at U14 Munster level took place in Limerick on Saturday. The Nenagh Eagles team were confident heading into their encounter against a strong Midleton team having not lost a match thus far in the season.
The Eagles looked nervy in the opening minutes but a super goal by Lil Duffy helped settle the team into the game. Midleton were quick to answer and evened up the scores. There was nothing between the teams heading into half time although Nenagh failed to capitalise on several chances in front of the goal.
The second half was end to end with both teams playing some great hockey. A momentary lapse in concentration in the third quarter allowed Midleton a shot on goal which they finished clinically. The Eagles dug deep but some lovely interplay by the Midleton forwards saw another goal leak past the Nenagh keeper.
Nenagh managed to score another goal in the fourth quarter leaving it all to play for in the dying minutes. Despite some great efforts Nenagh were unable to find the goal and the semi-final finished Nenagh Eagles 2-3 Midleton.
Nenagh coach Colin Stanley said afterwards: “The girls can hold their heads high. They have played some beautiful hockey all season but just didn’t get the bit of luck on the day. The game really could’ve gone either way as they were two very closely matched teams. Today was tough but we will learn from this, and the experience will stand to the girls next season”.