Galway 2 through to quarter finals of Irish Junior Cup

04 February 2012

Galway 2 continued on where they and their fellow first teammates left off last weekend when they qualified through to the quarter finals of the Irish Junior Cup.  Galway took on Corinthians from Dublin in the third round this afternoon in Dangan.  Corinthians started strongly and put pressure on the local side from the outset.  Within 10 minutes they were 1-0 up.  But as with last weekend, going behind only spurred Galway on and within 5 minutes were on level pegging when Aoife Codyre pounced onto a loose ball in the opposition circle.

Galway were 2-1 up 10 minutes later when captain Emma Glanville scored from a short corner.  The second half started with Galway in complete control and were 3-1up when Chris Rabbitte deflected a great through ball.  Galway slowed the pace a little and this let Corinthians back into the game and when they scored to make it 3-2, Galway immediately stepped up a gear and through their pace and quick passing up front scored two quick goals from Emma Johnson and Aoife Codyre.  Corinthians did not give up however and put the Galway under some pressure towards the end.  Ailbhe Nally in goals for Galway was called on to pull off some great saves in the dying minutes but with the clock running down, Corinthians finally broke through again to leave the final score at 5-3 to Galway.  

This was a very impressive performace for the Galway team and they now follow their clubmates into the quarter finals of an Irish Cup competition. Best for Galway on the day were Deirdre Hatton, Emma Glanville, Ruth O'Sullivan and Ailbhe Nally.  

Congratulations to Aisling Keogh FIH Umpire

03 February 2012

Congratulations to Aisling Keogh who has just been awarded one of the highest honours in Hockey Umpires circles, an FIH umpires badge.  Aisling is now qualified to umpire senior international hockey matches.  She has just come back from a four nations Senior tournement in Argentina in December.  

Aisling is a member of Galway Hockey Club having come up through the ranks of the juniors and under age squads.  Before she finished secondary, she took up a whistle for the first time and her talents started to shine.  Aisling has gone on to umpire at all levels in Connacht and Ireland and internationally.  

Congratulations Aisling.  Everyone in Galway is very proud of you and wish you all the best in all your future internationals.  Next stop - the Olympics!!!!!!!

Galway continues on the winning ways

03 February 2012

Galway teams had a very successful weekend with 3 wins out of a possible 4 and a very positive 0-0 draw.

Galway 1st team started the weekend with a very successful 3-1 win over Victorians from Ulster in the third round of the Irish Hockey Trophy.  They continued on their winning ways when they won their second game of the weekend against NUIG with a 5-0 scoreline.  Galway 2nds, not to be outshone by their 1st team, also won their senior league game against Greenfields 2nds with a 2-0 scoreline.  And finally Galway's Under 14s had a very positive 0-0 draw with Greenfields Under 14s. 

Full match reports on the team's home pages.

Galway through to quarter finals of Irish hockey Trophy and confirm hold at top of the Connacht Senior League

Galway 1st team cruised their way in the quarter finals of the Irish Hockey Trophy at the weekend when they beat Victorians Hockey Club from Ulster by 3 goals to 1 at home in Dangan.  It was the travelling team that started the strongest putting the Galway defence under constant pressure.  Galway defenders struggled to get control and lived dangerously for at least 20 minutes.  It seemed inevitable that Victorians would go ahead as they continued to pound the Galway goal.  Louise Fahy twice saved the ball twice on the line and Natasha Cooke in goals for Galway got plenty of chances to impress.  But Victorians eventually scored from a shot from the top of the circle and looked confident that they would add to the scoring.

However, this seemed to wake up the Galway side who slowly started to claw their way back into the game.  Within 5 minutes Galway had equalised when Louise Conlon scored from a well worked cross from Tara Melvin.  From then on Galway were in control and always looked dangerous up front.  Lynsey Trainer's constant pressure up front eventually paid off when she stole the ball from the defenders and scored a reverse shot from the edge of the circle.  

The second half continued as the first had ended with Galway in control.  Victorians were not out of the game though and their pace up front always looked like it could problems.  However, Freddie Timmins in defence was in control and between herself and Natasha Cooke - they dealt well with what came their way.  Mid way through the second half, Tara Melvin finally added a third and this finished off the Ulster side and Galway finished the game worthy winners.  

Galway followed their win in the Irish Hockey Trophy with a league win over local rivals NUIG in the COnnacht Senior League.  Galway followed up where they left off the day before against Victorians and dominated the game from the outset.  NUIG had no answer to Galway's quick passing and speed.  A five nil scoreline tells it's own story with goals from Tara Melvin, Emma Johnson, Ruth O'Sullivan and two from Louise Conlon.  Galway are now firmly on the top of the Connacht Senior League table and with 4 games left to play, it would be very hard to bet against them not winning the league title this season.