For the first time this season and for as long as we can remember; we might not have the best memory, but ten senior sides took to the pitch on Saturday as all five men’s and women’s teams competed [enter emojis for applause and fireworks].
We love a cup run and success for the women’s 1s who dispatched of North Kildare by a single goal, Niamh O’Brien on target. The W1s now progress into the Quarter Finals at the end of the month and we await confirmation of our opponents. The W5s were also in cup action and knocked out Our Lady’s in a shoot-out. Keelin O’Brien and Jess Lynch had scored in Q3 and Q4. Coach Cronin said “It was a really good game against tough experienced defenders and a really good keeper. Very difficult to get through them but some clever player led planning during the breaks worked a treat”. Emma Meir scored from her 1v1 and Jess Lynch and Leah Keogh followed suit also converting. Tiggy Hudson in goal was in spectacular form as she made 3 saves in a row ensuring Avoca progressed to meet Bray in the quarter finals on 27th November.
Elsewhere, a fine result for the women’s 4s who beat UCD 2-1 thanks to goals from Lauren Doyle Shaw and Sorcha Walsh. Defeat for women’s 2s against a very strong PWHC side but coach Mark Meir was happy with a strong performance against the side that sits comfortably at the top of the table while the W3s suffered defeat at the hands of Loreto.
W1 1-0 North Kildare – IHT
W2 0-3 Pembroke Wanderers
W3 0-2 Loreto
W4 2-1 UCD
W5 3-2 Our Lady’s – Div 9/10 Cup
The men’s 1s travelled down to Kilkenny without a few key players and unfortunately this proved to be key as the side returned with nothing for their efforts losing 0-1 and ending their perfect start to the season. The men’s 3s took on YMCA at Wesley and although they picked up 3 points, the match was brought into controversy with a harsh yellow card which disrupted the 3s usual flowing form. Ezra Handleman scored in Q3 to ease nerves and in the end it proved to be the only goal of the game; this result could be key as the season progresses.
The M4s picked up a fine 3-1 win against Wicklow at Sion Hill having gone a goal behind in the first half. Manager Martin said it was a great 3 points. “We had to fight back against a good Wicklow side today and we came back extremely well after going 1 nil down in the first quarter. Man of the match today went to Ian O’Keefe with a solid performance in centre midfield. Peter Urwin, Dan Bolger and Ian O’Keeffe were all on target. The men’s 2s played the league leaders Pembroke Wanderers at Serpentine Avenue and did really well despite losing 0-3.
Captain of the M5s Declan Goulding had this to say about his side’s performance: “Winning on a Saturday afternoon is great but doing it as we did is always better. M5 a lovely blend of old & new, experience and youthful zeal. Newbies Lloyd and Graham a great addition to old stalwarts. Big congrats to young folk Aodhán, Lucas & Mo – the future is bright. Our defence and midfield combined well to almost shut out a Pembroke team that can surely play better if allowed and our goal scorers (Charlie Taylor, Pat Lehane, Peter Urwin and never a dull finish Conor Robinson) finished with panache (there’s an argument there to record such moments) to leave us all with a smile on our face and happy departing Sion Hill. Finally, I am not so sorry that Max had a far more boring day than his counterpart in the far goal.” Congratulations to the Fearsome Fives who claim their first Team of the Week!
M1 0-1 Kilkenny
M2 0-3 Pembroke Wanderers
M3 1-0 YMCA
M4 3-1 Wicklow
M5 4-1 Pembroke Wanderers
Leaderboard
1 W2 M3 W4 M1 W5 M5 – 1
2 W1 W3 M2 M4 – 0