Enniscorthy 1
Carlow 3

It was all to play for on Saturday as Enniscorthy’s ladies seconds lined up against a strong Carlow side in round two of their Division 11 – 13 Cup campaign.

Carlow – leading Division 12 – looked strong from the off, channelling down the pitch towards the goal. Their run was soon stopped however by the strong centre back pairing of Aine O’Brien and Kelly Robinson. The ball was worked out wide towards Ailbhe Harrington to begin the Enniscorthy attack.

Quick passes up the left side of the pitch from Caoimhe Larkin to Martha Dunne saw Enniscorthy enter the Carlow circle for the first time. Their efforts went unrewarded however, as a strong Carlow defence was quick to counter attack and move the ball back down the pitch. Carlow were lucky to win a penalty corner in the Enniscorthy circle before the close of the first quarter, but good defence from Amy D’Alton and a quick ball up the line from Amy Murphy saw Enniscorthy attack once more before the whistle sounded. A ball from Murphy to Alice Kelly saw Enniscorthy launch an attack on goal. The ball was released to Lisa Freyne who put a flawless finish on it; Enniscorthy were 1-0 up at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter began with the same intensity that Enniscorthy finished the first quarter with. Keen to put another one in the net Eleanor Bolger in midfield worked hard alongside Laura Redmond to get the ball to Ellen Creed to launch another attack. Quick stick work and skilful play from the Carlow side saw them pass the ball around the backs before attacking up the pitch again. Enniscorthy worked tirelessly to keep the visitors scoreless but after defending two penalty corners in a row, Carlow found an opportunity to level proceedings.

Enniscorthy kept their momentum up entering the third quarter as it was all to play for in this knockout cup game. Saoirse Power and Megan Dempsey worked intensely in the backs to keep the Carlow side out. Great saves from Roisin Dawson meant that Enniscorthy finished the third quarter level with Carlow, 1-1, all to play for.

The last quarter was just as fast paced as the first, as both teams knew they needed an all-important score to move on to the next round of the cup. Both sides worked relentlessly but were unsuccessful with two strong defensive sides. With both teams level at the end of ordinary time, it was time for the dreaded 1 v 1 shuttles. Skilful attempts by the Enniscorthy girls were stopped by the experience of the Carlow goalkeeper, Enniscorthy’s Amy Murphy the only home candidate to score. Carlow proved very able at their shuttle attempts, securing 3 goals and a place in the next round of the cup.

Captain Amy D’Alton will now have to rally her troops ahead of a tough third versus fourth league encounter on Saturday when they visit Santry and take on Trinity College.

Squad: Alice Kelly, Alibhe Harrington, Kelly Robinson, Aine O’Brien, Amy D’Alton, Laura Redmond, Eleanor Bolger, Amy Murphy, Megan Dempsey, Lisa Frayne, Martha Dunne, Caomhie Larkin, Ellen Creed, Saorise Power, Rosin Dillion.