Snoddy and Purdy help Larne see off Rathgar in Irish Trophy match

Zoe Purdy, seen here in action against Banbridge Ladies, was on target in the Irish Trophy win over Rathgar.

After a touch-and-go morning deciding if the match would go ahead, it was ‘game on’ and Leigh Snoddy and Zoe Purdy came up with the goods, scoring the crucial goals.

Larne started well and it didn’t take long before they forged ahead with Snoddy converting a drag-flick shot from a penalty corner.

Larne continued to work hard, pressurising the Dubliners and winning the ball high up the pitch. Their persistence was rewarded when Snoddy played a perfect aerial ball into the circle, dropping behind the defence for Purdy to finish past the ‘keeper.

Although Rathgar had created some chances of their own, it was a deserved 2-0 lead to the home side at half-time.

In the second half the visitors looked stronger and more dangerous, with the majority of the play taking place in the Larne half. The home team worked hard to defend their two-goal lead and were unlucky not to extend their advantage.

However, after defending a series of penalty corners, Larne’s defence was finally breached when a wicked deflection from a penalty corner strike found its way into the goal.

Larne and Armagh are the only Ulster sides left in the competition.

Team: Neill, Dalton, Greenwood, Mills, Kempton, Snoddy, Rennix, McGookin, Robinson, K. McIlwaine, Russell, Purdy, C. McIlwaine, Booth, Crawford.

Fixtures (Jan 31): 1sts - Armagh (a); 2nds - Dromore (a); 3rds Dungannon (h) Friday, 8pm.