Larne exit Irish Trophy in defeat to Galway side

Larne launch an attack against NUIG (Galway) at Greenland.

Determined to continue their cup run, Larne were the better team in the early stages moving the ball well and putting the away side under pressure. Larne squandered a series of good chances and were made to pay when the ball broke kindly for NUIG and they slotted home to break the deadlock.

In the second half Larne picked up where they had left off, however Galway were now settled into the game and playing some good hockey themselves looking dangerous on the break and from penalty corners.

It wasn’t long before Larne finally got the goal they deserved through an excellent reverse stick shot from Kerry Mcllwaine. A second followed quickly when a penalty stroke, awarded for a Galway foot on the line, was converted by Leah Craig.

It looked like Larne were going to push on for the third goal and secure the win, but NUIG took full advantage of penalty corners, scoring twice to leave Larne 3-2 down with 10 minutes left. Despite throwing more players up front looking for the win, NUIG finished strongly, securing their place in the semi-final.

Larne: T. Neill (c), R. Beggs, L, Craig, R. Dalton, L. Snoddy, G. Rennix, G. Russell, C. Holmes, I. Carmichael, K. McIlwaine, Z. Purdy, D. Henry, T. Maguire, S. McGookin

Elsewhere, Newcastle Ladies II progressed to the Intermediate Cup final a 2-1 win over Larne Ladies II on Saturday.

The two sides met in unusual circumstances. The original tie was abandoned a few weeks ago due to the extreme weather, so they picked up where they left off and played the remaining 19 minutes from a goal down.

Having completed a rigorous warm-up, Larne were determined to take the game to Newcastle from the start. The home side had other ideas and within the first minute Larne had fallen another goal behind. Caris Greenwood pulled a goal back but the County Down girls held out to reach the cup final.

Larne II: C. Morrow, J. Wilson, C. Blair, T. Martin (c), C. Greenwood, L. Booth, N. Kempton, A. Snoddy, L. Bell, L. Robinson, R. Henry, T. Dobbin, A. McFall