Both teams were in action this weekend (Saturday 9th) with a friendly game against their neighbouring club Carlow HC ahead of the Leinster Leagues games next weekend.

Laois 1s team stepped onto the pitch with temperatures over twenty degrees which made playing conditions that more difficult. There were several players who stepped onto the pitch for the first time as senior players which included Ellen Harvey, Grace Cunningham and Jessica Shirley. The first quarter seen plenty of possession for the Laois side with clever passing to keep the Carlow side on their toes. The hard work over the last number of weeks on fitness played off as a quick play by the midfielder Becky O’Connor to centre forward Jenny Keegan who was awaiting in the circle to give a quick pass to left forward Amy Moynan who found the back of the net.

The Carlow side fought back straight away and equalised the score in the second quarter just before half time. Strong defence play by the backs Susan Fingleton, Karen Fingleton Ruth Wilkinson and Ellen Harvey prevented the visitors from scoring in the third quarter. The final quarter saw the Carlow side gain a goal early into the quarter which put the home side under pressure to response as the temperature increased. Laragh Wilkinson made a break from her player up left-hand side of the pitch which left the defence under pressure which Ellen Harvey took her opportunity to put another score on the board. However, the final few minutes of the game seen the visitors gain another opportunity to find the back of the net, leaving the final score 3- 2 defeat for Laois Hockey 1s team. This game was a great opportunity to knock the cobwebs off before the Leinster league kicks off next Saturday.

Laois HC 1s Team: Jessica Shirley, Karen Fingleton, Susan Fingleton, Laragh Wilkinson, Ellen Harvey, Beck O’Connor, Ruth Wilkinson, Amy Moynan, Jenny Keegan, Esme Van De Bergh and Grace Cunningham.

Laois Ladies 2s kicked off the new season with a friendly against Carlow 2s in Loreto Kilkenny in sweltering 27-degree heat. The heat made playing conditions difficult and really tested the players’ fitness in the first match of the season. They were lucky to have had their preseason training with Enda under their belts.

They were a little rusty to start but players improved steadily throughout the game. They were under a lot of pressure in the first half and were lucky to keep Carlow out in several well defended short corners by Tara Lalor, Jenny Keegan and Maeve Delaney. Once again, we had some incredible saves by goalkeeper Caroline Moynan as Carlow kept the pressure on. There were some strong midfield runs and great movement off the ball by Becky O’Connor and Jessica Shirley in the second half and all the pressure was eventually rewarded with a goal in the third quarter from Evana Cassidy. They held firm in the last quarter with some good possession play in midfield between Penny Wilkinson, Rachel O’Neill and Belinda Gyves. Lots of red faces and tired bodies at the end but great to come away with a win in the first match of the season.

Laois HC 2s Team: Caroline Moynan, Belinda Gynes, Mikayla Lahart, Evana Cassidy, Penny Wilkinson, Averil Atkinson, Tara Lalor, Lauren Lahart, Rachel O’Neill, Maeve Delaney and Lily Van De Bergh.