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WIT 0-11 NUIG 0-4
The opening game in Ashbourne 2012 was played earlier today between visitors NIUG and the home side 
WIT. In what was a much closer encounter that the scoreline suggests this was a disappointing game with the very strong wind proving a major challenge for both sides to contend with. Both halves were marked by some good passages of play but in general this was predominantly a low scoring and rather dour game.
A difficult breeze blowing into the corner of the pitch made scoring difficult and it was a day where defenders fared best.
NUIG got off to a great start with the cross wind in their favour and with some great combination play between their centre field partnership of Ashling Dunphy and Sarah Fenton piling on the pressure on WITs defence. Yet it was two first years, Emma Comerford and Niamh Mc Grath who dominated the scoring for WIT and NUIG respectively from placed balls in the opening half with an additional point coming from play by the ever hard working Michelle Quilty resulting in a half time score of 0-4 to 0-2 in favour of WIT. NUIG second half performance was much better despite the conditions and their work rate was excellent inspired by their captain at centre back Michaela Morkan, along side Catriona Lee and the very industrious Niamh Mc Grath up front who tacked on two more points from frees.
WIT’s experience did stand to them with well taken points by Jean Brady and Patricia Jackman and free taker Emma Comerford. NUIG will take much heart from this encounter as their work rate was not reflected in the score line and pending the return from injury of Chloe Morey (who played in goal today) they will be a major force to reckon and will yet have a major say in the penultimate stages of Ashbourne 2012 which is being hosted by WIT on February 18th and 19th. In contrast, WIT as the reigning champions know they will need to improve much more on today as they travel to play their second game in the group against UL, who after a great league campaign will be hotly favoured to top the group.
Teams:
NUIG: C Morey, M Henegha, T Mc Donald, AM Mc Mahon, C Lee, M Morkan (capt), S Coen, A Dunphy, S Fenton, N Walshe, N Coen, O Duggan, A O’Reilly, N Mc Grath (0-4,frees)M Lyons; subs: E Glynn for N Walshe (22 mins), M O Callaghan for M Lyons (45 mins)
WIT: K Kenneally, R Jones, SA Fitzgerald, L Keena, P Jackman (0-1), C Dormer, A Carroll, J Brady (0-1), K Parrock, K Power (capt), M Quilty (0-2) S Farrell, M Dargan, D Gaule, E Comerford (0-7, 0-5 frees).
Referee; J Mc Cormack