Monday, February 2, 2009

Men's IHL: Glenanne 3 Instonians 0


Glenanne v. Instonians IHL 1.2.2009 from JWay on Vimeo.


Glenanne 3 (Stephen Butler 2, Shane O'Donoghue) Instonians 0
Glenanne moved to a dominant position in Pool A of the Irish Hockey League with a slightly flattering 3-0 bonus point victory over Instonians in Glenanne Park today.

Although they were deserved winners, some fine saves from Steven Doran and another wonderful defensive performance from Joe Brennan were enough to secure a vital winning bonus point.

Glens went a goal up in the first quarter - Stephen Butler’s dragflick was prevented from hitting the backboard by Mark Gleghorne’s body and the Irish international dispatched the stroke easily.

The score stayed the same until half time but Instonians had the better second quarter. Mark Gleghorne had two dragflicks blocked down by Graham Shaw while Doran was sharp to react to a Mark Irwin strike.

The game turned at the beginning of the second half when Glenanne notched a quickfire double. Butler fired home his fourth goal of the league so far with a low dragflick and before the crowd had settled down again the lead had been added to.

Alan Browne surged down the left hand side and found Irish Under 18 International Shane O’Donoghue who found the net with a sharp reaction shot.

The home side, playing in their first IHL home match, gave the initiative straight back to the visitors as Butler received a two minute sin bin straight after the goal. The Belfast side could not take advantage however.

Gleghorne flashed a reverse shot across goal much to the relief of the sizeable crowd. The ill discipline did not stop there as the fourth quarter saw ten minute stints in the bin for Butler and Irwin for an altercation in the middle of the pitch.

The game opened up subsequently and Doran made the save of the match with an acrobatic hand stop from Gleghorne.

The resulting short corner saw Butler – minutes before his yellow card – sweep Chris Barnes dragflick off the line to keep Glens bonus point lead intact.

Glens were not redundant down the other end either. Richie Shaw – who did well from the bench – could have done more to reach a pass from his cousin Graham while the latter put a switched short corner wide from a Joe Brennan assist.

With the result of the match confirmed, the IHL point scoring system allowed for more drama at the hooter. The away side won a corner and had the chance to deny their opponents a bonus point but Doran got down low to deny Gleghorne and Brennan reacted quickest to clear.

Glenanne stay top of Pool A and are now five points clear of Instonians and Annadale, although the latter have a game in hand.

* Words thanks to David O'Malley, pictures from Adrian Boehm to follow later this week.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

As a leinster team supporter I was pleased to see glenanne win today. You have to admire the way glenanne have a must win situation on every play of the game. I know sometimes this can be hard to watch, espically when they complain about every decision, but for them it appears to be the difference between life and death. Inst are a quality side with experienced internationals so it's no surprise that they had a few good chances to score. This furthermore highlights what a good win it was. well done glenanne.

Anonymous said...

Was a great game to watch, just a pity it was so cold yesterday...not surprised its snowing today.

The setup for the match was brilliant. looks like the club really rallied together to put on a show. Loved the music for the goals abd especially 'Duran Duran - Wild boys' being played when Butler got the green card...classic!

Anonymous said...

Was at the match yesterday it was a good win again for the Glenanne. Didn't think Inst offered much in the game. actually quite disappointed with them thought it would be a lot closer, but the Glens provided enough entertainment on what was a very cold afternoon. Steve I saw Lewis from Monkstown at the match, do you know has he joined the Glens? You mentioned the other week he was possibly leaving Monkstown. I heard he went to corinthians.

Anonymous said...

Was at the match myself. Glenanne did very well on the day, both on and off the pitch. Good idea i thought at half time with the marching band, was a good unique idea, bringing in some local culture. I agree with the comment about the song "wild boys" being played for cards. laughed my head off when it was played. And also the music from snatch being played at the start. Very good ideas they had. Hats off to the glens!

Anonymous said...

whats that coming over the hill, its Stephen Butler, its Stephen Butler.....love it, come on the Glens!

Anonymous said...

I had the glens written off this year but their old guard have shown they have a few more hurrah's left in them and their young players have stepped up to the plate. They must be all-ireland favourites at this stage.

Anonymous said...

I heard lewis has joined the glens but he's ihl cuptied so thats why hes in in the squad...was at the game, the glens put on a great show...fair play to them!inst really dissappointed me...didnt have much to offer....thought brennen was class along with shaw, doran did very well ...fancy the glens to top the group easily
GH

Anonymous said...

It was all about the Zombie Nation after the first quarter

Anonymous said...

IHL Semi Finals

Glens v Ban

CofI v Cooks

IHL Winners - Glens

I fancy Glens to do the double and win ISC as well.

Anonymous said...

I think the glens will win everything this year,league,Mills,ISC,IHL,unreal team,best by a mile in Ireland,Best goalie,drag flicker and centre forward in Ireland too in Doran,Butler and Shaw,definitely the best team by a long shot,Glens revolution is here led by Joe Brennan,Come on the Glens!!

Anonymous said...

Best Drag flicker- Butler ? According to goal scoring charts on IHL website Jermyn, Southern and Cockram are ahead of Butler and they are all drag flickers!

Anonymous said...

"I think the glens will win everything this year,league,Mills,ISC,IHL,unreal team,best by a mile in Ireland,Best goalie,drag flicker and centre forward in Ireland too in Doran,Butler and Shaw,definitely the best team by a long shot,Glens revolution is here led by Joe Brennan,Come on the Glens!!"

I hope you aren't a Glenanne man. If you are then you should realise this: As a club we have always prided ourselves on our modesty so it's dissapointing to see someone start shooting their mouth off.

Things are going well right now but as Arul always says 'it's a marathon not a sprint' and the crunch will come in May.

GSC member

Anonymous said...

with the interpros coming up i'm sure noel keogh is delighted his Gleinster side is hitting form

Anonymous said...

glenster brillent and so true. wish the greens all the best in the pros.

Anonymous said...

Note: Butler now has 4 goals in IHL, Jerymn 6, dont believe Southern scored at the weekend!

Anonymous said...

Best Drag Flicker in Ireland plays at Havelock Park - Just check his stats!!!

Anonymous said...

Mick McGuiness is also up there with them boys!

Anonymous said...

Butler has proven himself at the top level what with his 70 plus international goals.

Also, scored in two Irish Senior Cup finals, twice in last year's Leinster Senior Cup final, four times in last years European final and has scored 15 dragflicks already this season along with countless other acheivments

I think this settles the argument

Anonymous said...

Best goalie,drag flicker and centre forward in Ireland.

Would agree with two out of the three above with Shaw and Butler. Doran may have had a good game, but that does't make him the best goalie in ireland, he is well down the pecking order.

Doubt he will be in the Glenster team. Fitzy, walker better goalies.