Galway HC’s patience pays off in reaching national final

The Galway Hockey Club team which has qualified for the Irish Trophy Final. Back row, left to right: Nicola van der Walt, team manager, Catherine Timon, Gemma Rhatigan, Leah Casey, Emma Johnson, Heather Henry, Rachel Heskin, Emma Glanville, and Ollie O’Connor (Coach). Kneeling: Aoife Codyre, Niamh Barry, Dee Hatton, Louise Fahy, Katie Codyre, Catherine Clancy, Hannah Gormley (Captain), Rebecca Dillion, Carra Withero, and Kelsey Hengerer. Front, Michaela van der Walt.

placeholder image — The Galway Hockey Club team which has qualified for the Irish Trophy Final. Back row, left to right: Nicola van der Walt, team manager, Catherine Timon, Gemma Rhatigan, Leah Casey, Emma Johnson, Heather Henry, Rachel Heskin, Emma Glanville, and Ollie O’Connor (Coach). Kneeling: Aoife Codyre, Niamh Barry, Dee Hatton, Louise Fahy, Katie Codyre, Catherine Clancy, Hannah Gormley (Captain), Rebecca Dillion, Carra Withero, and Kelsey Hengerer. Front, Michaela van der Walt.

Galway HC 3

Genesis 1

GALWAY Hockey Club are through to the Irish Trophy Final following a great second half performance against experienced Genesis in the semi-final.

The Tribeswomen started tentatively, striving to get control of the game and playing quick balls up to the forwards as they did in the quarter final against Armagh. However, Genesis had done their homework on Galway and marked the forwards tightly and allowed little time for the opposition midfielders to settle on the ball.

The opening quarter was more Armagh forcing the game than Galway. However, a quick break by Deirdre Hatton and Louise Fahy down the right forced a short corner midway through the half and captain Hannah Gormley stepped up to score from a direct shot.

This should have settled Galway but instead it was Genesis who began to dominate and they pressed forward, forcing uncharacteristic errors from the Galway defence. Ten minutes before half time, the pressure paid off when a poor defensive clearance gave Genesis an opportunity and they didn’t need to be asked twice.

The second half saw a different Galway team come out, with coach, Ollie O’Connor, spurring on his team to play their own game and to be patient on the ball. Their approach paid off and midway through the second half another short corner was awarded following great attacking play from Katie and Aoife Codyre. Gormley once again stepped up to take the shot but the ball was deflected beyond the defensive reach by Katie Codyre.

This second goal settled Galway and they took control of the game as Genesis looked to have no response. Defensively Catherine Clancy, Rachel Heskin and Hannah Gormley were in control dealing with whatever game their way. Goalkeeper Michaela van der Walt had only two saves to make which she made look easy.

Louise Fahey and Deirdre Hatton combined well down the right to turn defence into attack and for the second half, Genesis had no response to the latter’s pace. Cara Withero, Kelsey Hengerer, and Aoife Codyre in midfield always looked comfortable and played the patient game as requested by their coach, but were ready to turn up the pace when needed.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.