Enniscorthy    3

North Kildare 0

With an incredible 78 goals scored this season and winning the league with 5 games to spare, Enniscorthy’s ladies first XI ensured they finished their league campaign on a high as they defeated North Kildare at the Astro Active Centre on Saturday.

From the off, Enniscorthy dominated possession. However, it was soon apparent that North Kildare’s defence could not be easily defeated. As the hosts began to settle, excellent passing up both wings gave way to multiple circle entries with May Wickham and Sonja Rynhart  putting North Kildare’s ‘keeper under immense pressure.

Enniscorthy were third-time-lucky in their attacking penalty corners as a new combination between Flood and Kelly gave way to Ogilvie skillfully dinking the ball over the ‘keepers left foot. The first half continued to favour Enniscorthy as the league champion’s superb play continued. Transfer balls across the defence soon gave way for Laura Smith to make a thundering run from her centre-back position right into North Kildare’s circle, defeating multiple players in her path. Smith ended her charge with a speedy hit across the circle where Susannah Doyle’s timely run and great positioning allowed her flat stick to deflect Smith’s shot past North Kildare’s ‘keeper, leaving the half-time score Enniscorthy 2, North Kildare 0.

Throughout the half, the Slaneysiders were faced with one defensive penalty corner. However, North Kildare’s attempts were not enough to bypass McGinty and her sturdy defense.

While the second half continued to fare in Enniscorthy’s favour, gaps in the home side’s press allowed North Kildare increased possession in the opening stages. The increased pressure on Enniscorthy’s backs saw North Kildare winning their second attacking penalty corner. A poor injection from the opposition made way for a swift interception by Smith and Enniscorthy were on the attack once again.

As the half progressed, Chapman acted as a vital pivot player, distributing the ball left and right to Graham and Flood waiting out on the wings. Line balls on the left allowed Dunphy and Mahon to work their way up the pitch while Kelly, Wickham and Walsh dominated on the right. Strikes from Rynhart, Kelly and Ogilvie throughout the attacking phases were just short of beating North Kildare’s goalkeeper.

However, Enniscorthy’s hunger for another goal could not be tamed. Caoimhe Larkin’s hard work paid dividends as she acted on a rebound from  the visiting ‘keeper’s pads, Larkin swiftly flicking the ball through the k’eepers legs and the backboard thudded once more, for Larkin’s third goal in a week.

The team faces their final challenge of the season next Sunday as they take on Naas in the Division 7/8 Cup Final. Tip off at Three Rock Rover’s Grange Road (Rathfarnham) pitch is at 3 p.m.