Bower hockey teams through

Blackmore Cup Semi-Final The Bower first year A team came up against Salerno on Wednesday of last week, in the semi-final of the Blackmore Cup at the Regional Sports Centre. Although Salerno had beaten the Jez and the Ursulines from Sligo to get this far, the Bower girls were favourites to win a place in the final with an unbeaten record this season and only one goal conceded. The match got off to an exciting start with several opportunities to score for both sides, but it was the Bower team who was on the scoreboard after only five minutes of play when a brilliant cross from Emily Henshaw was flicked past the Salerno goalie by Aiveen Digby. Ten minutes later, Jane Henshaw cleared a threatening short corner, sending the ball up the pitch to cousin Emily. Aiveen Digby, in cracking form, collected the pass and scored her second goal for the home team. At half-time the Bower girls led 2-0. In the second half, with a place in the final at stake, both teams gave it their all. Ashleigh Rose Coyle was like a terrier in midfield and was unlucky not to score herself. The Bower defence was solid throughout and Salerno failed to score despite constant pressure. At the final whistle, goalie Niamh Ganly still held the record this season for least goals conceded. This promising young team, coached by Gudge Moran, now face the Jez in the Connacht final this week. Team: Aiveen Digby, Cathy McGettigan, Jane Henshaw, Emily Henshaw, Niamh Ganly, Molly O"Meara, Caoimhe Curran, Mairin Ryan, Carys Jones, Emily Connell, Ashleigh Rose Coyle, Eileen Reidy, Anna Keegan (capt), Emma Johnson, Niamh Geoghegan, Eanna Barrett, Jacqueline Winnett, Judith Berkery. Cahill Cup Semi-Final From the very beginning the Bower B squad looked like a promising team and their performance on the pitch against Salerno did not disappoint. In the first half, the forwards were awarded a series of short corners and the Bower girls were unlucky not to translate any of them into a score. Mairin Ryan was outstanding as sweeper and cut off any opportunities that Salerno had to score. The defence remained steady throughout the match and Alison Dunning was able to keep up the pressure on the Salerno goalie. During the second half, the home team had almost all of the possession, keeping the ball in the Salerno half. With very little time left on the clock, Renata Downes managed to put the ball over the line, winning a place in the Connacht final, where the girls will face local rivals Athlone Community College, also coached by Gudge Moran! Congratulations to Gudge Moran and many thanks to Rita Bennett, Frances Milling and Ciara O"Brien who umpired the matches. Team: Tara Fitzgerald, Bairbre O"Dwyer, Miriam Crinnion, Harriet Kenny, Damilola Adefulire, Lauren O"Sullivan, Renata Downes, Judith Berkery, Liadh Beirne, Laura Dowling, Maeve Fahy, Sarah Treacy, Carys Jones, Mairin Ryan, Jessica Frayne, Amy Boland, Lucia Stanley, Alison Dunning, Niamh Hanley, Bisola Salaja, Mary Diffley (capt), Eileen Reidy, Ellen Brophy, Niamh Collison, Jennifer Purcell, Stacey Leonard.