Navan women set for leaders in Leinster Hockey League
Navan enjoyed a fine win in the Leinster Ladies Div 5 League last Saturday and they will need to repeat that this weekend when they travel to face the League Leaders Muckross.
Top side Muckross haven't event conceded a goal yet but Navan might change that if they produce the fierce display of strength evident last Saturday against hosts Tullamore.
Navan won by 6-1 with the opening goal from hat-trick player Bronagh Markey.
A quick ball from Mairead Canavan left Markey one-on-one with the netminder and she finished by pushing the ball around the 'keeper and in.
Tullamore were quick to reset and won a few short corners. Karen Dunne was quick to deflect, but unfortunately it hit a Navan foot which earned Tullamore another short.
Their hard hitter stepped forward and finished nicely in the corner leaving the game level at 1-1.
The Navan heads did not drop and quick hit outs from Grainne Hussey meant the Navan side held great possession.
A sideline quickly taken by Niamh Curtin was sent towards the back post where Sarah Clarke finished beautifully with a quick sweep on goal.
Markey claimed her second from another breaking ball and finding herself unmarked she took possession and stormed forward switching the ball left and right before finishing for a 3-1 interval lead for the Meath team.
Tullamore never gave up and Rhona Murphy and Eimear Hardiman had plenty to do in the backs, but they stood firm in the second-half and kept Tullamore at bay.
Navan added a fourth goal when Markey drove forward slipping by two defenders before sending the ball to the waiting Clarke who made no mistake in finishing.
Helen Heaney claimed her first goal of the season to earn Navan's fifth after Mairead Canavan's quick sideline found her sister Christine. She duly sent it hammering into Heaney who took it on the reverse to slip it past the keeper.
Laura Wimsey and Ciara showed great vision in the mids to keep the pressure on Tullamore and they created great opportunities for the forwards.
Wimsey was doing enough to hold up the play to allow Navan to make the most of the breaking balls.
Navan's last goal was claimed by Markey to earn her a hat-rick. She claimed the ball in the mids and took a solo run past four defenders before firing home.
It was a great team performance with many positive points for coach Ruth Fitzgerald.