Enniscorthy’s ladies first eleven got their season off to a winning start at the weekend with a 2-0 away win against Rathgar.

Enniscorthy dominated possession from the get go, some great play up both wings through Hannah Sweeney and Laura O’Leary, as well as creativity in midfield through Irish trialist, Niamh Ogilvie, Ciara Kelly and Leah Chapman, Enniscorthy were threatened Rathgar’s circle time and time again. 

After a stoppage in play to allow Rathgar’s injured goalkeeper to receive attention, it wasn’t long before Enniscorthy got their opening goal, a strong run by debutant, Caoimhe Larkin, down the left wing, it was Laura O’Leary who made no mistake, hitting the backboard with a deadly backstick strike. The visitors had another goal chance on the verge of half time, centre forward May Wickham worked well to force a penalty corner. Rathgar’s goalkeeper, denied Enniscorthy from doubling their lead, saving a shot from Laura Smith from the right. 

Rathgar came back fighting after the break, they put pressure on the defence of Susannah Doyle, captain Julie Watchorn, Hannah Graham and Laura Smith. They attacked down the left hand side, but were stopped in their tracks with some excellent backstick blocks by Leah Chapman. It wasn’t long before Rathgar reaped the rewards of their attack and won a penalty corner. However the visiting defence held strong, and prevented any danger in and around keeper Norah McGinty, end to end action followed with the Wexford ladies winning their own penalty corner just minutes later, following good interlinking play between midfielder Ciara Kelly and winger Sonja Rynhart.

Niamh Ogilvie scored Enniscorthy’s second on Saturday

Rynhart played a pivotal role throughout the game, she caused trouble in and around Rathgar’s circle, but it was Ireland under 18 trialist, Niamh Ogilvie, who grabbed the winner following a penalty corner.

This was a very positive start for the L1’s and it paves the way for an extremely exciting season with many new young players – only four squad members on Saturday were over the age of twenty. There is no doubt that the team will want to replicate that performance on Saturday when they take on Clontarf at home. 

Squad: Norah McGinty, Julie Watchorn, Laura Smith, Hannah Graham, Susannah Doyle, Niamh Oglivie, Leah Chapman, Ciara Kelly, Laura O’Leary, May Wickham, Hannah Sweeney, Caoimhe Larkin, Sonja Rynhart