Enniscorthy’s ladies first XI finished their first Leinster campaign in devastating form as they put four goals past Skerries II at the Astro Active Centre on Saturday. Their earlier battle at the beginning of the season had finished 2-1 and was one of the Slaneysider’s toughest games of the season.

Anna Flood got on the scoresheet for Enniscorthy on Sunday

Enniscorthy were eager to finish on a high note and started the game at a high tempo, attacking the visitor’s goal relentlessly. The Enniscorthy defence was in flying form as Skierries attacked down the left wing with Centre back Laura Smith then pressing high into midfield territory on the counter attack. After their first short corner was saved, Jessie Flood was ready to fire home from the second with a play straight from the training ground resulting in a bottom right hand burial. This did not put Skierries off their game however as they responded with a baseline attack which was ably saved by Norah McGinty, whose athleticism and goalkeeping prowess showed when she made two outstanding saves within a split second, the latter cleared by Katie Owen. The north county Dublin side were then awarded a penalty corner but this was again dealt with by the strong Enniscorthy defence. Countering, Suzannah Doyle was on hand to make a clearance to Leah Chapman who worked the ball well up the field with Laura O’Leary on the wing unlucky to get on the end of a perfect May Wickham cross-field pass. Enniscorthy’s attacking ambitions continued with another play down the right just failed to hit the mark after great work from Hannah Sweeney to get on to a back post cross.  Enniscorthy were working hard to create positive outcomes in the circle and the awarding of another penalty corner and ensuing strike from the younger Flood sister Anna gave them their reward as it ended in the back of the net.

Leah Chapman celebrated interprovincial selection with a commanding performance in Sunday’s 4-0 win over Skerries

Enniscorthy’s two- goal lead sent them into the second half a more relaxed side, with passing improving and attacks producing some impressively flowing play. Each counter attack from Skierries was shut down by the tireless defence of Suzannah Doyle, Julie Watchorn, Laura Smith and Katie Owen. The cathedral town side’s mid-field of Jessie Flood, captain Leah Chapman, May Wickham and Ciara Kelly led the charge forward, with latter, a 15 year old Irish trialist, proving her mettle in the senior ranks by producing some fantastic play in the middle third of the field.

Laura Smith worked tirelessly in defence for Enniscorthy

A third goal was not long coming, Leah Chapman picking out Laura O’Leary on the left  wing with a superb reverse pass which O’Leary finished under the outrushing Skierries goalkeeper to make it 3-0. Eager for more, Ciara Kelly found May Wickham with a similar cross field pass but this time the Skerries ‘keeper made no mistake, despite a powerful strike from Wickham. Enniscorthy continued their roving attacks and capitalised on a tiring Skerries side, with Laura O’Leary again finding the net from a cross-circle pass which she finished with a diving reverse shot to finish the scoring at 4-0.

Enniscorthy’s first XI will take a lot away from their first season in Leinster and will return next year on the hunt for promotion. They have welcomed some new and exciting players to their side and are set to be a side to watch in Division 7 next season. 

Squad: Nora McGinty, Susannah Doyle, Julie Watchorn, Laura Smith, Katie Owen, Jessie Flood, Leah Chapman, May Wickham, Laura O’Leary, Anna Flood, Hannah Sweeney, Ciara Kelly. Manager Olive Lett. Coach Donal Doyle.