Enniscorthy 2

Naas             1

It was a far from vintage performance on the day but that will matter little to their supporters as Enniscorthy’s ladies first eleven created their own bit of history on Sunday, capturing the Leinster Division 7/8 Cup to add to their Division 7 league trophy.

Scoreless at the break, both sides moved up several gears in the second half at a bitterly cold Grange Road. Naas, runners up in Division 8, produced a performance which belief their league status, earning three penalty corners in the opening period and forcing Enniscorthy goalkeeper Norah McGinty into a pair of saves. The Kildare side had settled quicker into the rhythm of the match quicker, but despite having to make those saves, McGinty wasn’t seriously tested in the Enniscorthy goal. In contrast, Enniscorthy were able to penetrate the Naas circle with relative ease, but proved ill-suited to creating opportunities.

Niamh Ogilvie strikes her side’s opening goal

The second half provided much more exciting fare, with Enniscorthy managing to convert possession into penalty corners. However, it was from open play that the goals eventually came, Niamh Ogilvie adding to her impressive tally for the season to open the scoring for Enniscorthy. The Slaneysiders won a free in their own half and poured forward in numbers, with Ogilvie striking home, to the evident relief of the sizeable Enniscorthy support.

Naas responded well, Jenny Kelly being the source of much Enniscorthy anxiety as the Division 8 outfit put two balls narrowly wide of McGinty’s goal. 

Caoimhe Larkin, though, broke Naas hearts with five minutes remaining, and despite Kathryn Henderson taking advantage of momentary hesitation in the Enniscorthy defence in the last minute, it was the Wexford side who prevailed on a 2-1 scoreline and the club’s first double at Leinster level.

Post match celebrations get underway

Squad: Norah McGinty, Beibhinn O’Brien, Isabelle Walsh, Sonja Rynhart, Leah Chapman, Julie Watchorn, Niamh Ogilvie, Jessie Flood, Ciara Kelly, Susannah Doyle, May Wickham, Hannah Graham, Laura Smith, Aoife Mahon, Caoimhe Larkin, Nancy Dunphy.

Management team: Donal Doyle, Jackie Wickham, Alan Smith