Enniscorthy men’s first eleven got their season off to a losing start in their Neville Cup clash with Division 1 outfit Clontarf at the Astro Active Centre on Sunday.

Donal Doyle’s side had continued their preparations for the season with a friendly encounter against Three Rock Rovers on Saturday, but the rigours of that encounter seemed to have little effect for much of Sunday’s game as Enniscorthy and the Bulls played out a high-tempo encounter in front of a respectable crowd.

Captain Graham Hill was called into action twice in the opening ten minutes before Enniscorthy’s opening attack, William Durnan advancing into the Clontarf semi circle, laying the ball off to Charlie Dunne whose shot went over the bar. The Dublin side, though, had that bit extra up front, with Hill in the Enniscorthy goal having to be especially vigilant while defender David Simmons was in impressive form.  

The goals, though, eventually came, two in a five minute spell just before the break. Despite the lead, Clontarf were frustrated, picking up a brace of green cards in the second half. Pressure from the hosts twenty minutes into the half should have resulted in a goal; a pinpoint pass from midfield found Jake English, whose reverse pass reached the penalty spot, but there was nobody to convert. 

Eight minutes from time saw Clontarf find a third goal and Enniscorthy were out of luck. Attention now turns to the opening day of Division 3 hockey and the visit of UCD to the Astro Active Centre on Saturday.

Squad: Graham Hill, David Simmons, Glenn Chapman, Andrew Rothwell, Ivan Rothwell, Roy Chapman, Sent Rynhart, Ben Doyle, William Durnan, Jake English, Charlie Dunne, Alex Symes. Coach: Donal Doyle.