by Ann Dempsey
After a two year break due to Covid-19, the Connacht Senior Cup was finally played for again this season and the final was won by Galway Hockey Club following a very close encounter with old rivals – NUIG Hockey Club.
The game as expected was a close affair. Both teams have just had very successful seasons in the National EY2 leagues. While no wins were had by either, all games were competitive and a good learning experience for both young teams. In the Connacht League Div 1A, both teams were joint leaders throughout the season with NUIG eventually winning the league in the final game of the season in a closely fought 2-1 game.
As expected, NUIG went on the attack from the starting whistle with Ailbhe Folan, going on one of her usual fast weaving runs. However, the Galway defence, lead by Hannah Gormley, was prepared for these breaks and despite the onslaught from the starting whistle, she along with her defence of Ailbhe Tarpey, Rachel Kelly and Sinead Carey were equal to the task. The first half continued with both teams playing anxiously, each team looking for their midfielders to take control of the game, Alyssa Manley, Laoise Medley & Ciara Dunne for Galway and Becky Anderson, Aoife Quinn and Jenny Buttimer for NUIG. However, the Galway forwards of Rachel Dillon, Elaine Carey and Aoibhin McDonnell were in exciting form and connected well with the midfield, creating the best chances in the first quarter, with Rachel Dillon narrowly going wide on the quarter’s best scoring opportunity.
Quarter 2 continued much as the first had with both teams looking to take control of the middle area of the pitch. Galway seemed to be winning here forcing NUIG to defend deep into their half and forcing quick clearances which were being picked up by the Galway defence who were now controlling the half way line. It was one poor clearance that landed to the stick of Elaine Carey at the edge of the NUIG circle. A quick sidestep seemed to wrong foot the NUIG defence and gave Elaine a clear shot on goal that was just beyond goalkeeper Anna O’Donohue, in goals for NUIG.
While this did settle the game a little, with Galway’s defence defending near the half way line, NUIG’s Ailbhe Folan speed was always dangerous. Within 5 minutes of Galway’s lead and just before half time, one such break found Ailbhe Folan in space just inside the Galway half and her speed rounded the Galway defence and she found herself one on one with the Galway Keeper, Holly Comer. However, Holly showed her class and her Irish Under 18 training experience and made little of Folan’s effort. This break unsettled the Galway players slightly and the half time break came as a welcome relief.
As with the first two quarters, NUIG started the third quarter on the attack and their determination paid dividends when Ailbhe Folan was on hand to convert a right-wing cross that saw Galway’s defence unusually absent. This seemed to spur the NUIG team on and made the Galway defence nervous. However, Galway always looked dangerous on the attack with opportunities falling to Alyssa Manley, Ciara Dunne and Aoibhin McDonnell but they could not break the deadlock.
The fourth quarter was set for a final exciting showdown as both teams looked determined to take the title and it certainly delivered. Five minutes in, NUIG were once again on the defensive, but a quick break out by defender Aoife McGovern, found Ruth McNulty in space on the wing. A rushed clearance, gave her an opportunity to force a cross where McGovern who had continued her run was on the back post to convert the attack she started.
The rest of the game saw Galway launch attack after attack, and with 5 minutes remaining in the game, it was almost inevitable that one of their attacks would result in a goal and that was just so with Rosie Doorly converting an attack down the right by Aoibhinn McDonnell.
Galway pushed to get the winner and NUIG needed nerves of steel to defend a short-corner on the final whistle to ensure the game went to shuttles.
Here Holly Comer was at her best and saved 2 of the College shuttles. Galway’s shuttle takers, Elaine Carey, Aoibhin McDonnell, Ciara Dunne and Hannah Gormley were flawless converting their shuttles with only the post saving Alyssa Manley’s one. Galway therefore were awarded the game winning 4-3 on shuttles.
It was the end of a very successful season for Galway and their young coach, American Olympian Alyssa Manley. Afterwards, she commented that the team, while young, rose to every occasion that was thrown their way and were already looking forward to the next season.
Galway team: Holly Comer, Teagan Stanley, Hannah Gormley, Sinead Carey, Rachel Kelly, Emer O’Connell, Ailbhe Tarpey, Emma Dillon, Alyssa Manley (Player/Coach), Ciara Dunne, Michelle Du Troite, Laoise Medley, Elaine Carey (captain), Aoibhin McDonnell, Rachel Dillon, Roisin Heaney, Rosie Doorly.
NUIG team: Anna O’Donoghue, Becky Anderson, Aoife McGovern, Jenny Buttimer, Sarah Holmes, Roisin Healy, Aoife Quinn, Katie Osbourne, Ruth McNulty, Ailbhe Folan, Eimear Osbourne, Eve McDaid, Julie-Anne Langan.
