Nenagh clean sweep in epic weekend for the Hockey Club

The November weekend has long been earmarked as a challenging one at Nenagh Hockey Club as coaches and volunteers alike geared up for back-to-back games and blitzes across Munster. All levels were in action over the weekend and, much to the delight of supporters, the Club registered wins in each match.

Junior Boys: The Junior Boys played their second and third league games away in Cork at Garryduff on Saturday.

The team faced the tough task of taking on two strong Cork teams in Harlequins and CofI, and while confident in their preparation, playing teams at home is always a tough ask.

Cork Harlequins 0-1 Nenagh

The long journey was evident in the slow start by Nenagh and it took them some time to settle into the game against Harlequins and find their legs. Once they entered the second quarter however, they had begun to find their rhythm and to execute some lovely passing. It wasn't long before a sublime pass by Hugo Stanley sent a perfectly weighted ball into Andy Kennedy who scored a superb goal.

Harlequins responded quickly but were denied their opportunity to equalise through some stellar saves by Goalie Ruairí Slattery. Nenagh gained confidence from their lead and as the second half started they commanded with some fantastic defence by Jack Hourigan and some nice passing by Oisín Muelhausen and Harry Rynhart.

Harlequins continued to hunt for an equaliser and second half goalkeeper Gerard O’Dowd pulled off some great saves to deny the Cork team. Nenagh hung on well in the fourth quarter and despite a few opportunities to pull further ahead, won 1-0.

Garryduff CofI 1-3 Nenagh

The boys in white had a short time to recover and refuel before they began to warm up for the second fixture of the day against Garryduff CofI.

A large crowd were present and the expectations along the home crowd were high. The Nenagh boys, sensing the enormity of the challenge visibly raised their game and threw the gauntlet down to the Cork team in an opening passage of play that culminated in an Andy Kennedy strike that opened the scoring.

Nenagh were immediately put under intense pressure by the Cork team looking for an equaliser but Ruairi Slattery made some brave dives to keep the Tipperary side on top. Despite his best efforts and that of the defence, the quality of CofI shone through when they went on a skilful run and shot a goal into the top corner.

What followed was a tightly fought contest with both teams having their opportunities but failing to be clinical in front of goal. It was all to play for in the final quarter and with the home supporters raising their voices, Nenagh were under a considerable amount of pressure. The boys dug deep and forward Brian Ley scored his first goal of the season following a lovely pass from George Stanley. The Cork team scrambled to get the equaliser, but the game was killed off when Harry Rynhart scored a third goal for the boys in white with Nenagh making it three wins out of three in the league thus far.

Under 14 Girls: Clonmel 0-3 Nenagh

Nenagh’s U14 Girls team who travelled to the new hockey pitch in Clonmel to take on their Tipperary rivals.

Always a tough fixture, Clonmel teams bring a physicality and competitiveness that can be difficult to contend with. Nenagh were well-drilled by Coach Hilary Curley and were keen to put in a strong performance following their defeat in their last fixture.

The girls have trained hard since their last match and with some newcomers to the squad there was an appetitive to really put in a strong performances in this fixture against what is always a strong Clonmel side.

Nenagh started well and played some good hockey, with some strong clearances by the defensive duo of cousins Ellen Malone and Aibhlin Cantwell. Nenagh were threatening and sharp and it wasn't long before Hollie Clarke took her opportunity in front of goal to open the scoring.

Clonmel responded swiftly and it took a huge effort by Clodagh McLoughney and Ellen Malone combining fiercely to keep Nenagh ahead. Saoirse White and Dorothy Hackett performed really well in their first game and managed to keep their Clonmel counterparts well marked. Nenagh looked potent going forward and some precision passing by the midfielders put the Clonmel defence under hug pressure.

There was disappointment when Nenagh hit the post was soon forgotten when Hollie Clarke, showing her class and skill, added to the scoresheet with another beautiful strike.

Clonmel, to their credit, never looked defeated and went on several runs looking to make up the deficit. Defender Ellen Malone was immense in the backs and her work-rate snuffed out wave after wave of Clonmel attacks. It wasn't until Abigail Murtagh scored a fantastic third goal for Nenagh that Clonmel heads finally began to drop as they sensed that it was to be Nenagh’s day. A delighted coaching staff celebrated the 3-0 victory when the final whistle blew.

“It was a fabulous win for the girls”, said Coach Hilary Curley.

“They have trained so hard and with some newcomers to the side we were keen to give everyone a good run without losing our shape and sticking with our strategy. I thought we defended superbly and that was probably the difference in the end. This is a great team, with some skilful players but more so that that, we have an appetite and a work rate which is so important in this league. I’m thrilled for the girls and we will enjoy this win and look forward to building on it in the coming weeks”.

Under 16 Girls: Nenagh 6-0 Kinsale

In the Ursuline pitch in Thurles, Nenagh’s U16 Girls continued their league campaign with a home game against Kinsale.

Conditions were poor as the teams took to the pitch but the Nenagh side were focused and determined to put the disappointment of the previous weekends narrow defeat behind them.

Nenagh started strongly and from the first whistle controlled the game. Kinsale looked on in dismay as some quick and accurate passing by the forward resulted in two goals in quick succession by Lorna Ryan. The Nenagh midfield and forwards were on fire as Lauren Grace denied the Cork team any go forward ball and put the Kinsale defence under pressure time and again. She received her reward for her efforts with a fabulous goal bringing the tally at half time to 3-0.

Kinsale tried to get creative in their approach but Nenagh were too strong defensively and their read of the game snuffed out any chance the Kinsale team had of getting back into the game. Laylyn Reid was delighted to score a wonderful goal followed in quick succession by Lorna Ryan making it a hat-trick for the Roscrea native.

Kinsale continued to dig deep but when Isabelle Hegarty scored with a fabulous strike of the ball the Cork side finally began to show signs of defeat. Alana Ryan put in a strong performance on the day and created lots of plays which put Kinsale under pressure time and again. The whistle below at the end of the final quarter with a resounding 6-0 win to Nenagh.

The team looked strong and fit and will be looking forward to building on this performance in their next fixture on November 24th against Crescent HC in Limerick

Under 18 Girls: Nenagh 7-0 Dungarvan

Nenagh’s U18 Girls were next to take to the pitch against rivals from last season and league winners Dungarvan.

Currently top of the table and with considerable experience and depth in the squad, Nenagh are looking like the team to beat in this year's competition. The weather improved in the afternoon and the team looked sharp in their warm up.

The Dungarvan squad looked a changed outfit from last years league winners and cup final contenders but with a strong history of hockey in the area they are always a force to be reckoned with.

The game began at a high tempo, and it became evident very early on that Nenagh would totally out class their Waterford counterparts. Katya Shorten, as always, was a thorn in the Dungarvan side from the first whistle and she wasted no time opening the scoring. Captain Aoibhinn Murphy followed with a beautiful strike from the top of the D and before too long Nenagh were in complete control of the game, showing class, agility, fitness and game management. Goals by Grace Mulrooney, Ruby Benn, Jane Carroll, and Kate O’Flaherty led Nenagh to a comprehensive victory.

The Nenagh defence had little to contend with in terms of Dungarvan attack and the Waterford were disappointed with the final scoreline. Nenagh take on Castletroy next weekend in Limerick in what should be a tougher contest for the girls.

Blitz: Also, on Sunday the Club hosted a very successful blitz which was a resounding success. Umpiring by Nenagh HCs Young Umpires and some great games made the blitz a huge success with teams from across the province enjoying the Nenagh hospitality.