The Clontarf Ladies were successful at home in Bullring in the first round of the IHT Cup. Beating Rathgar 3-1, the home advantage of their noticeably glowing new pitch coupled with some stand-out attacking performances saw them come out on top.
Rathgar put up a good fight, particularly in the first half; a toe touch save, during a short corner, from Clontarf keeper Anna Egan kept Rathgar from getting ahead in the first quarter. Enya Kernan (Clontarf) delightedly celebrated the opening goal, with a skillful assist from ‘Woman of the Match’ Lucy Pendleton. Luckily too, as Rathgar returned shortly with a goal after catching Clontarf on the back foot.
However, a goal from the sharp hands of Nicola Taylor in the second quarter plus solid defending and relentless attacks (some narrowly close misses) led to Clontarf dominating the second half. Clontarf’s win was consolidated with a goal from a short corner from captain Hannah Goss.
Even with Rathgar’s valiant attempts to take off their goalkeeper in the last 8 minutes they were were no match for the cool heads of Clontarf who played the clock down, winning 3-1.
Final Score: 3-1
Goal scorers: Enya Kernan, Nicola Taylor, Hannah Goss
WOTM: Lucy Pendleton
Match Report: Ladies 1s vs the Rathgar 1s, Home, Saturday 16th October 1PM (Irish Hockey Trophy, round 1)
Written by: Anna Egan