Enniscorthy 3
Tullamore 0

Saturday saw the start of the season for Enniscorthy Ladies 1st XI. Coming from a league and Cup winning season in Division 7, the team were eager to start on the right foot in Division 6, and plant early seeds for a successful campaign.

Tullamore started with tip on a sunny outing in Astro Active, Enniscorthy, and with a mix of youth and experience like the home side, looked eager to bring the points back to Offaly with them.
The Slaneysiders, however, started strong and turned over ball, within the first few minutes. Within the first five minutes, the Enniscorthy attackers penetrated the Tullamore circle, eager to make an early mark on the scoreboard. Tullamore fought back and earner a penalty corner, but their attack was not enough to break down the home defence. The hosts were unlucky with their own first penalty corner being saved, but it was a good test of the visiting defence.

The first quarter ended 0-0, giving coach Donal Doyle two minutes to give some pointers from the sideline. His words were effective as the second quarter saw chances being converted to scores. A cunning weave up the left side of the pitch met Niamh Ogilvie, who was blocked from entering the circle by the Tullamore defence, but found midfielder Leah Chapman with space at the top of the circle. A clean strike from Chapman was too quick for the goalkeeper to save, and flew past her into the bottom left corner of the goal.

Just two minutes later Enniscorthy earned another penalty corner. Two Tullamore defenders broke the line for the set piece, giving the leaders a second bite of the cherry, and with extra space on the goal line Ciara Kelly used her 3D skills to flick the ball into the top left corner.

The third goal came from forward Niamh Ogilvie – recently returned from interprovincial duties – who received the ball at the top of the circle, weaved her way past three defenders and slotted the ball with ease by the Tullamore goalkeeper.

The visitors had a chance of their own, forcing Enniscorthy ‘keeper Norah McGinty into making a tremendous save from a Tullamore break, and logged to clear the ball from the defensive line. Enniscorthy were unlucky not to convert more opportunities in the circle in the second half, with several shots cleared and strikes from debutant forward Deané Lodewyks just wide of the goal.

Squad: Julie Watchorn, Laura Smith, Norah McGinty, Hannah Graham, Jessie Flood, Anna Flood, Áine O’Brien, Martha Dunne, May Wickham, Leah Chapman, Ciara Kelly, Niamh Ogilvie, Ciara Parnell, Deané Lodewyks. Coaches: Alan Smith, Dónal Doyle. Manager: Jackie Wickham