The accolade of team of the week is tied between the mens 2nds and ladies 1st after their fine performances last weekend! Indeed, it was a successful weekend for many in terms of goal tallys and cup successes!
The mens 2s sit nicely at the top of div 2 following their 5-2 win over Railway on Saturday, and their 3-1 win over Kilkenny on Sunday! Quite an achievement so far for what is a predominantly young side (bolstered by some more mature heads!). Conor Empty bagged himself a hat-trick on Saturday, to add to goals by Johnny Roberts and James Walker. On Sunday, Sam Grace fired home a short corner to start off the scoring, before Dylan Shirley and James Walker again sealed the win.
Anything men can do the ladies can do just as well though as the 1s also found their way to the top of Division 3 courtesy of a great 3-0 win over Pembroke. This win came despite less than 24 hours recovery from their extra-time and stroke win over Div 2 high-flyers Muckross on Saturday. With promotion to div 1 in their sight Muckross was a tough draw in the IHT, however Anita Bower put the girls ahead early with a drag flick. Huge pressure ensued, with Muckross going 2-1 up, however Steph Baxters equaliser from a ridiculous near-post angle ensured a draw. Anita, Maebh Galvin, Isabelle Hoyne and Maebh Holden scored their flicks, while Barbara Snow saved two to put the girls through to a home quarter final draw against Larne in March.
(Emma Hogans pics of the game can be seen here: https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/126057445@N08/sets/72157648146194454/)
The semi-finals of the cup await the ladies 3s as they won their cup game on Saturday against a very experienced Genesis side 2-1! The 4ths drew 0-0 with Clontarf in the league, while heartbreak fell to the 2nds who hung on until the final few minutes of their cup game against Div 5 league leaders UCD. Keeping them out for most of the match, UCD nicked a winning goal to go through 1-0 winners.
On the mens side Peter Blakeney celebrated his birthday in style as he put 5 past the Avoca keeper in the mens 1st 6-2 league win. Jody Hosking scored the 6th. The mens 3s had a feisty 3-3 draw to Mullingar, while the 4ths lost 3-1 to Glenanne.
On the junior side, wins all round for the Junior and Minor girls teams! The As and Bs beat Our Ladys 5-0 and 3-0, while the Minor As won 2-1 against St.Brendans.
This week sees the leagues return for the ladies teams. The 1st play Clontarf away at 3.30. They face their second double weekend in a row, as on Sunday they play their refixed cup game away to Pembroke once again, this time at 4.30. The ladies 2s have a 1pm home game against Trinity, the 3s play away to Botanic at 4.30, while the 4ths travel to Tullamore for 1pm.
On the mens side Irish Junior Cup sees the mens 2s play Trinity at home at 3pm. The 1st play Corinthians at home at 1pm, while the 5th are home to Navan at 11am. The 3s head to Clontarf for 2pm while the 4ths face Pembroke away at 11am.
