On Saturday, Enniskillen 2nd XI hosted Galway 2nd XI at the Bawnacre for and Inter-Ireland Cup match. The young Skins team knew that it would be a tough match as there were some young, skillful players on the Galway side, but were determined to put on a good show.
From the start, Galway dominated but strong tackles and interceptions from the midfield of Diane Smith, Kirsty Murray and Cathy Graham kept Galway at bay. Play started to pick up for the Skins side with excellent interlinking passing between the midfield and forward players of Alana Cross, Jayne Boyd and Shirelle Wilson.
During this play, Enniskillen were awarded a short corner and Kirsty Murray stepped up to take it, blasting a perfectly placed ball past the keeper to give Enniskillen the advantage at half-time.
Galway started the second half the more aggressive side but the defensive line of Andrea Kerr, Danni Morton, Rachel Managh and Laura Kettyle kept Galway from getting the vital goal that they needed to be in with a chance to get to the next stage of the competition. Unfortunately, Galway broke through the defence and was awarded a short corner, which resulted in a goal via an unstoppable ball shot direct on goal.
The result at full-time was 1-1, which meant that both teams had to play another seven minutes each way until one team scored or face taking penalty strokes. The young Skins knew that they had to find their goal within the next 15 minutes or face pressure in the strokes.
As play resumed, Enniskillen worked well together with linking play between the forwards, Irene Edgar and Sharon Hutchinson to try and attack Galway's goal with numbers, but after seven minutes of constant pressure, the whistle was blown. Play resumed again for the second seven minutes with Galway now applying the pressure and Enniskillen had to ask for assistance from keeper Clare Wilson to prevent Galway from scoring a number of times, but Clare cleared each ball calmly and finally the final whistle was blown.
Sharon, Andrea, Shirelle, Danni and Kirsty were all selected to take penalty flicks and Clare had the job of keeping the 2nd XIs in the competition – so no pressure! The first flick was taken by Galway and, after a brilliant dive from Clare, the ball rattled of the back board. Sharon was nominated to take Enniskillen's first flick but was denied a goal by the Galway keeper.
Galway missed their next flick thanks to a brilliant save by Clare, which gave the team a little more confidence. Andrea was next to take her flick and placed the ball perfectly in the back of the net to leave the score so far 1-1. Galway was prevented from scoring again by brilliant goal keeping from Clare, so the chance for Enniskillen to move ahead had now come. Shirelle stepped up to take her flick and placed the ball out of the keeper's reach to put Enniskillen in the lead.
The pressure got to Galway again and they were denied their goal by a cool, collected Clare. Danni approached the goal, knowing that if she scored this she would win the match for the Skins. She struck the ball calmly lifting the ball past the keeper into the back of the net resulting in Enniskillen winning by three goals to one in penalties.
The win has certainly given Enniskillen plenty of confidence now knowing how well they can all perform under pressure, which will hopefully help them next week when they take on Ballyclare at the Bawnacre and they are hoping to continue their winning streak.
