Trophy holders Greenfields face difficult title defence in Belfast
Date Published: 21-Mar-2013
GREENFIELDS travel north in search of a place in the final of the Irish Hockey Trophy on Saturday. The Galway club, who travelled to Belfast a few weeks ago to play NICS in the quarter final, face a much more difficult challenge when they take on Belfast Harlequins.
Their opponents remain undefeated in the Ulster League, have scored 68 goals and only conceded nine. Their record in the trophy also makes fine reading playing three matches, scoring 15 and conceding just one. Greenfields though are defending champions having won the Trophy last year for the first time.
Greenfields will rely heavily on their experienced defence in Belfast and their back five will have to be on top of their game if they hope to overcome this hurdle and reach the final. Sinead Collins in goal is having another superb season, whille the back four of Sarah McDonald, Catherine Moore, Clodagh Grealy and Aine Collins all had excellent performances in the quarter final with Grealy and Collins vying for player of the match.
Greenfields have vast experience in midfield with Liz Tighe, Neasa McGettigan and Elaine Hall and this is the area of the pitch their Coach Deirdre McDermott believes will be crucial. “Having watched them play two weeks ago, their midfield pulled all the strings.
Harlequins have former Irish Senior International Jenny McDonagh playing right midfield, but she won’t be having it all her own way and will have to do plenty of defending with Elaine Hall as her opposite number.”
The Greenfields forward line are on top of their game at present and have scored 11 goals in their last three game with confidence growing in each game. Greenfields hope to welcome back Trish Garrett from a calf injury which has kept her out for the last six weeks. Garrett was the heroine at this stage in the competition last year grabbing the match winning goal.
The title holders have their own Robert Van Persie in the shape of Mary Healy this season who has a fine goal scoring record and pace and skill to match. Greenfields have plenty of players to choose from for their forward line with the experience of Captain Alma Whelan, Trish Garrett, Mary Healy, Rachel Wyer and the Connacht underage players of Becky Anderson and Alice Meagher.
They also have back up for defence with Siobhan Divilly on hand to come in if needed and Ellie Noone, who is currently training with the Irish U16 team, sure to make an impact in midfield when she is sprung from the bench.
This undoubtedly will be Greenfields’ biggest challenge of the season to date and to progress to the final for the sercond year running, they will need to be razor sharp in defence, on top in midfield and lethal in front of goal. The semi-final takes place in South Belfast tomorow (Saturday) at 2.30pm.