Hockey: Malahide teach Mullingar girls harsh lesson in league

Leinster Women’s League Division 1B: Mullingar Ladies 1sts 0, Malahide Fingal 1sts 4

The struggle continues for this youthful Mullingar Hockey Club women’s side, as they hosted Malahide on Saturday morning in Wilson’s Hospital School, Multyfarnham.

Mullingar were given a boost before the game with key player, Louise Sharpe, returning from injury. This definitely helped Mullingar in the back line, with an experienced player like Sharpe there to help her youthful teammates in the rearguard.

Mullingar started quite well, passing the ball smoothly around the back line and they were lucky not to be a goal up after coming close on a few occasions from a short corner. Malahide, however, soon made them pay for their missed opportunities and took a one goal lead heading into the first quarter break.

The second quarter started with a huge blow for Mullingar, as Louise Sharpe was forced off when she pulled up with an injury. Mullingar found it hard after that to get the ball outside their own half, with Malahide pressing well. Malahide soon made it 2-0 after they got a brilliant goal by a deflection from the top of the ‘D’.

In the second half, Mullingar started to move the ball well, with youngster Sarah Cawley making some darting runs with the ball into the ‘D’, but just lacking that final touch to get the goal.

Malahide controlled most of the final quarter, with this young Mullingar team starting to get tired and misplacing passes, but they created an opportunity for Joan Leonard, who came closest to getting a goal.

The Dubliners went on to nab two more goals to make the final score 4-0, securing their first win of the season.

Mullingar: Sophie Marry (GK), Louise Sharpe, Anna Gillespie, Claudette Jenner, Lucy Charles, Elle-Anna Zummerchik, Robyn Bardon, Jen Diamond (captain), Sarah Cawley, Jane Duggan, Joan Leonard, Alexandra Elaurza, Nicole Leonard, Leah Harding, Rose Grimes, Niamh Turbitt. Player of the match: Anna Gillespie. Umpire: Marc Watters.