Mullingar's bright start not enough to stop Glennane

Mullingar Hockey Club notes

Glenanne 3rds 3, Mullingar 1sts 0

Mullingar Ladies travelled to face Glenanne 3rds on Saturday February 7 for the third meeting between the sides this season, knowing they faced a stern test with a depleted squad of just 12 players.

Mullingar started brightly, moving the ball with pace, but Glenanne struck first from a short corner to take an early lead, despite the best efforts of stand-in goalkeeper Katelyn Griffith. The setback sparked Mullingar into life, with Rachael Gouldsbury and Ruby Murray combining well to create an opening for Zara Allen, whose effort narrowly missed the target.

The second quarter remained keenly contested. Mullingar defended resolutely, with Maria Baker producing several important saves to keep the visitors in contention, while Louise Sharpe came close at the other end when her effort struck the post following a Glenanne short corner.

After the break, Mullingar pushed hard for an equaliser, with Rachel Crowe and Raimey O’Boyle linking up well as fatigue began to show in the small squad. Glenanne capitalised late in the third quarter to make it 2–0, before Mullingar were dealt a further blow when Joan Leonard was forced off following a high ball, leaving the visitors without substitutes.

Glenanne sealed the result in the final quarter from a series of short corners. Mullingar continued to battle to the end, with Eleanor Mulligan, Clare Kelly and Louise Sharpe working tirelessly down the left flank.

Despite the result, Mullingar showed strong resilience and remain comfortably in the top half of the table.

Player of the match: Raimey O’Boyle.

Mullingar squad: Aine Kane, Raimey O’Boyle, Maria Baker, Rebecca O’Keefe, Eileen Conaty, Claudette Jenner, Emma Harding, Sarah Kernaghan, Rachael Goldsbury, Eleanor Mulligan, Melissa O’Neill, Katelyn Griffith (C), Judi Roulston Mooney, Claire Kelly, Zara Allen and Ruby Murray.

Leinster Men’s Division 5: Bray 3rds 1, Mullingar 2nds 1

(O. Keogh)

Mullingar earned a deserved point away to Bray on Sunday February 8, responding well after a tough cup defeat at the same venue two weeks earlier.

Mullingar opened the scoring when Steve Wiltshire broke down the left and found Oisin Keogh in the D, with the Wilson’s Hospital School fifth-year student finishing calmly past the diving goalkeeper.

The second quarter was played at a high tempo, with chances at both ends. Stuart Waddle made one of his trademark driving runs from midfield but saw his effort narrowly miss, while James O’Malley forced a fine save from the Bray goalkeeper.

Bray increased the pressure after the break, but Marc Watters produced a series of excellent saves, with the Mullingar defence and midfield working tirelessly to hold firm.

With five minutes remaining, Bray eventually equalised with a well-taken finish into the bottom corner. Mullingar had late chances to snatch victory from penalty corners, but a draw was a fair result.

Oscar Hudley was named Man of the Match, with strong performances also coming from Oisin Keogh, Jamie Kindregan, Stuart Waddle and James O’Malley.

Mullingar squad: Marc Watters (GK), Graeme Hague (C), Barry Watters, Brian Rasmussen, Stephen O’Neill, Stephen Wiltshire, Cameron Wiltshire, Owen Wiltshire, James O’Malley, Jamie Kindregan, Oisin Keogh, Stuart Waddle and Andy Melbourne.

Leinster Ladies Division 9: Mullingar 1sts 6, Loreto 6ths 0

(Melissa O’Neill 2, Ruby Murray, Jara Dornbuch)

Mullingar returned to action on Sunday February 8, producing an impressive performance at home to Loreto 6ths despite several players backing up from the previous day’s fixture.

The hosts took control early, with Melissa O’Neill opening the scoring after a powerful run through the centre. Mullingar dominated the opening quarter and doubled their lead in the second when Jara Dornbruch finished well following good link-up play with Zara Allen.

Strong midfield work from Rachel Crowe and Ruby Murray kept the pressure on, and Murray added a third just before half-time with a composed finish.

Loreto enjoyed more possession in the second half, but Áine Kane, supported by Maria Baker and Louise Sharpe, dealt confidently with the pressure. A Loreto short corner was well defended by first runner Rachel Crowe, allowing Melissa O’Neill to break upfield and add her second goal of the match.

Mullingar remained solid to the end to secure a comprehensive and confidence-boosting victory.

Player of the match: Ruby Murray.

Mullingar squad: Aine Kane (GK), Louise Sharpe, Maria Baker, Eileen Conaty, Claudette Jenner, Jara Dornbruch, Rachel Crowe, Ruby Murray, Rachael Gouldsbury, Melissa O’Neill, Eleanor Mulligan, Katelyn Griffith (C), Joan Leonard, Judi RoulstonMooney, Orla White and Zara Allen.

Training

Senior Men train on Tuesday at 19:20; Senior Ladies train on Thursday at 19:20; Under-14 and Under-16 Girls train on Monday at 19:00; Under-8, Under-10 and Under-12 Boys and Girls train on Sunday at 11am. All training takes place at Wilsons Hospital School.