Railway 2 Glenanne 1

Railway travelled out to the impressive Gormanston College on Saturday for the indoor play off group.  First up was  a dogged Glenanne team, strong in defence and quick on the break.  Railway welcomed Cathy McKean as a guest and she was first to get herself on the scoresheet after 6 minutes.  Glenanne equalised in the 2nd half from a penalty stroke, but their lead was short lived.
Following good work by Kate McKenna, Cecelia Joyce put Railway ahead again 2 minutes later through a well taken penalty corner.  Glenanne worked hard for the equaliser but Railway held on to win.

Railway 3 Ulster Elks 1

Next up was Ulster Elks from Jordanstown.  Elks and Glenanne had drawn earlier so we knew we had qualified for the semis with our earlier win if we beat Elks by more than 1 goal Glenanne would also go through.  Coach Kenny had to go to Irish training so Mark English deputised with the white board.  Elks were 1 up after 30 seconds but before long Railway were back in their rhythm with Isobel Joyce and then Kate Dillon scoring for Railway to take the lead.  The Railway lead was maintained when Rachel Barnett saved an Elks’ stroke.  Emer Lucey, arriving for the 2nd game following a bridesmaid’s fitting, added a third goal from a well taken corner, much to the delight of the Glenanne team who were supporting us!  Railway ran out 3-1 winners and so had a semi-final date with Ards on Sunday.
Railway men also got through their group to the semi-finals.

National Indoor Trophy Semi Final:  Railway 2 Ards 3

On Sunday it was off to the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght for the semi-finals.  The men had lost earlier by a golden goal to Three Rock Rovers so we were hoping that we could ensure that at least there was one Railway team in the final.  The squad was down to 8 as Eimear Dolan was unavailable due to work and Holly Jenkinson was heavily strapped with a knee injury and could only play a very limited role. After a tentative start Ards opened the scoring, with Sinead Dooley equalising soon afterwards by finishing off a good move.  However, Ards took the lead again just before
half time from their first penalty corner.  Railway equalised soon after the break with a trade mark Kate Dillon corner flick.  Railway had the opportunity to go ahead when they were awarded a penalty stroke after an Ards defender saved a goal with her head (she was ok afterwards!) but the stroke was saved.  Shortly afterwards, following an umpires’ consultation, Ards were awarded a stroke which they scored.  With 10 minutes remaining Railway worked hard for the equaliser, winning a number of corners and having a goal disallowed – but it was not to be.  Thanks to Kenny
for coaching, Mark for helping out, Fiona for strapping, Tristan for videoing and all those who turned out to support.