Dublin University Ladies’ Hockey Club’s (DULHC) forwards proved too much for Rathgar yesterday, as Trinity made their way to an 8-0 victory away at High School.
Pressure came early from DULHC, as Susie Osborne intercepted a number of Rathgar passes in the midfield and ensured most of the possession remained in the hands of the visitors. Trinity looked menacing going forward, as Sally Campbell’s shot was blocked down before the home keeper did well to stop an Ailish Long reverse from just a few yards out. DULHC had taken over the match right from tip-off, while Rathgar struggled to string passes together to keep the ball out of their own third.
A long ball from Issy Delamer almost saw Long open the scoring, but Rathgar scrambled it away moments before a shot could be taken. In possession, Rathgar rarely looked dangerous, their forwards isolated with midfielders being called back to handle the threat from Trinity’s strikers. Trinity struck first early, as quick passing found Campbell, who showed great vision to give the ball off to Clodagh Fullston to tap into an open goal. Trinity were far from finished, as they picked up a short corner shortly after and doubled their lead, Fullston again turning in the rebound with quick reflexes near the goal.
Long continued to dominate the middle of the park, with an incisive run towards the goal stopped just short by the charging keeper, but it was clear that there were more goals in this for the visitors. A rare moment of attacking play from Rathgar saw a rare shot on goal for the home side, but Caoimhe O’Brien did well to turn it away with a solid kick. Trinity’s third came courtesy of a sweetly struck reverse from Erica Markey, found wide open by Campbell after an arching run through a number of Rathgar defenders.
A brief period of Rathgar possession was confidently dealt with by Trinity’s back four, as strong tackles in the middle of the park prevented any solid chances for the home side. DULHC continued to go forward as the first half wound to a close. Osborne picked up an interception before playing in Fullerton, who managed to turn in the rebound after her first shot was saved, completing her hat-trick.
The home side were unable to deal with Campbell’s skill on the ball throughout the match, as she picked up a short corner off a phenomenal dribble from the Trinity third, which Rathgar managed to scramble away for another short. Campbell’s drag flick for the second short corner was stopped on the line, but it founds its way to Long, who turned it in to give Trinity a 5-0 lead going into half-time.
Trinity started the second half hungry for more goals, with Susie Osborne and Rachel Burns both storming up the field after dispossessing Rathgar, but neither was able to connect with a forward for an assist. They weren’t searching for long, as Fullerton knocked a clearance back towards goal for a reverse chip by Osborne to make it six for Trinity. Rathgar were beginning to show some frustration, with more physical tackles from the forwards as they struggled to break through the DULHC defence.
At 6-0, Trinity finally began to slow the pace of the game down, passing the ball around the midfield. Rathgar finally broke through for a good opportunity halfway through the second half, but O’Brien showed no signs of complacency as she stopped the low effort. The ensuing scramble gave away a short corner which was blocked down well by the rushing defenders. DULHC continued to look solid going forward, as Rachel Burns picked up a short corner which was converted with a low flick by Erica Markey.
The final goal came from rapid attacking play from Campbell, who picked up another assist as Burns calmly slotted it past the oncoming keeper to make it 8-0 with little time left on the clock. Trinity continued to drive forward, looking to add to their tally, but Rathgar were able to hold out for the last five. DULHC once again showed their dominance in this division with another confident win and will be keen to extend their perfect record next week against Naas.
