EUROPEAN CLUB TROPHY II MEN BANBRIDGE FINAL

Eugene McGee’s final game walk of honour. Pics by Albert Mact.

BANBRIDGE  – 4     TJ  PLZEN-LITICE  (CZE) – 1

Pool B winners Banbridge took on Pool A winners TJ Plzen- Litice in the tournament gold medal match at Banbridge this afternoon.

Banbridge who blitzed Mladost in their final pool game by 13-1 were in goal scoring form during the tournament having chalked up a goal difference of plus 26 in their pool matches, having opened their account with an 8-0 win and followed it up with a 7-1 win.  It was a poignant occasion too as veteran former Ireland international Eugene Magee was playing the final 1st team club game of his illustrious career.

Hugh McShane got Bann off the mark in the 10th minute from open play to make it 1-0.  Captain Alexander Tinney increased their lead in the 28th minute converting a penalty corner to leave it 2-0 at half time. Early in the third quarter Johnny McKee scored from open play to make it 3-0 to Banbridge in the 33rd minute.

Krystof Sestak got one back for Plzen-Litice in the 53rd minute to make it 3-1 to Banbridge. Matthew McKee scored from open play in the 55th minute to seal a 4-1 victory. Both sides as Pool winners have secured a place in next season’s Club Trophy I for their countries representatives however so it has to be considered a successful tournament for both of today’s finalists.

BANBRIDGE: Luke Roleston, Alexander Tinney [capt.], Johnny McKee, Jake Rowe, Peter Brown, Sam Farson, Owen Magee, Matthew McKee, Mark Cowan

Louis Rowe, Charlie Rowe

SUBS USED: Hugh Mc Shane, Eugene Magee, Mark Barlow, Tommy Dobson, David Finlay

TJ PLZEN-LITICE:  Tomas Necas, Jakub Homolka , Ondrej Hes, Lukás Benda, Eduard Gerlicky, Jakub Koryták Adam Uhlír[ capt.], Filip Kacírek, Dominik Bystricky, Reinhard Nicklas, Matej Svoboda

SUBS USED:  Krystof Sesták, Max Batík, Vit Barcal, Otakar Gerlicky

 

In the 3rd and 4th play off game  HAHK Mladost of Croatia had a 3-1 win over Copenhagen HC of Denmark

In the 5th and 6th play off game  SG Amsicora of Italy had a 3-2 win over Gaziantep Polisgucu of Turkey.

EUROPEAN CLUB CHALLENGE I WOMEN ALANYA TURKEY

CATHOLIC INSTITUTE – 7  HC ARGENTIA (ITA) – 0

Catholic Institute finished with a flourish beating HC Argentia of Italy in their play off game by 7-0.  Naomi Carroll opened her account in the 11th minute to put Insta 1-0 ahead . Eimear Ryan made it 2-0 in the 18th minute. Naomi Carroll grabbed her second of the match to make it 3-0 on 35 minutes.

Argentia’s Karolina Lisowska was green carded in the 36th minute, and Institute capitalized on their numerical advantage immediately.

Naomi Carroll completed her hat-trick to make it 4-0 a minute later and got her fourth of the game in the 37th minute to make it 5-0.

Maria Rosato was green carded in the 50th minute but there was no further scoring till both sides were back to full strength.

Rebecca Barry grabbed a goal to make it 6-0 in the 58th minute with Laura Foley completing the scoring a minute later to leave the final score 7-0.

 

CATHOLIC INSTITUTE:  Pamela Hearne (GK), Christine O’Shea [capt.], Roisín Begley, Naomi Carroll, Roisín Upton, Leah Clery, Laura Foley, Ciara Moloney, Eimear Ryan, Anna Horan, Michelle Barrett.

SUBS USED: Aoife Hickey, Clodagh Moloney, Rebecca Barry, Elizabeth Ryan, Jennifer Clein, Aoibheann Collins, Miriam O’Callaghan (GK)

 

HC ARGENTIA :  Chiara Mortarino (GK), Renata Llense Calegari, Lara Manzoni [capt.], Maria Rosato, Beatrice Guzzon, Benedetta Gibin, Alessia Marri, Irene Toscano, Letitia Rogai, Karolina Liskowska

 

Elsewhere in the other play off matches Siauliai Ginstreke were 1-0 winners of Akademischer HTC Wien. SK Slavia Prague beat Gaziantep Polisgucu 4-3 in a shootout following a 2-2 draw and the all Scottish clash between Clydesdale and Watsonians ended in a  5-1 win for the latter who added the successful run in this tournament to their recently completed domestic quadruple.

EURO HOCKEY CLUB TROPHY II  MEN 2023 SUNDAY MAY 28, 2023

Banbridge – 13  HANK Mladost – 1

Banbridge sealed first place in Pool A and a place in next season’s Club Trophy I for Ireland’s representatives in 2023-24.  Lisnagarvey, with an emphatic 13-1 win over HAHK Mladost who will be in second place in Pool A and qualified for the 3rd place tournament final tomorrow.

Jake Rowe opened the scoring from a penalty corner in the 2nd minute to make it 1-0. Louis Rowe from open play scored to make it 2-0 in the 4th minute.

James Evans made it 3-0 on 13 minutes. Johnny McKee got his first of the game from open play to make it 4-0 on 15 minutes. He got his second to make it 5-0 on 18 minutes and completed his hat-trick the same minute to make it 6-0. Jake Rowe got his second of the match to make it 7-0 with a converted penalty corner in the 20th minute. Alexander Tinney converted another penalty corner a minute after that to make it 8-0. David Finlay got in on the act scoring a goal in the 23rd minute from open play 9-0. Alexander Tinney got his second penalty corner of the match to make it 10-0 in the 24th minute.

David Finlay got his second goal of the game from open play to make it 11-0. Fran Zlatar got a consolation goal for HAHK Mladost to make it 11-1 in the 36th minute. Further goals from Matthew McKee in the 41st minute and a Jake Rowe penalty corner completed the scoring leaving it Banbridge 13 HAHK Mladost 1.

In the other Pool B game Amsicora and Swansea played out a 0-0 draw. The Italians securing third place by virtue of a better goal difference and will play Gaziantep in the 5th place play off.

On Monday Banbridge take on TJ Plzen-Litice of the Czech Republic to decide the overall tournament champions. HAHK Mladost will play against second placed Pool A side Copenhagen to decide 3rd place.

BANBRIDGE: Luke Roleston, Alexander Tinney [capt.], Johnny McKee, Jake Rowe, Peter Brown, Sam Farson, Owen Magee, Matthew McKee, Mark Cowan, Louis Rowe, Charlie Rowe

SUBS USED: Hugh McShane, David Finlay, Tommy Dobson, James Evans, Mark Barlow

 

 

 

EURO HOCKEY CLUB CHALLENGE I  ALANYA, TURKEY 

CATHOLIC INSTITUTE – 1  AKADEMISCHER HTC WIEN  (AUT) –  0

It took until the very last minute of the final pool game of this tournament for Catholic Institute to register their first win of the competition. It was only the second European  goal scored by Catholic Institute in their history.  Given it was from an Anna Horan penalty stroke made it even more historic.

At this level it’s 5 points for a win, 2 for a draw, 1 for a loss by less than 3 goals. A loss by any more than 3 goals is not awarded any points. Catholic Institute had lost on the opening day by 5 -1 and so garnered no points. A narrow 0-1 defeat against Slavia Prague had garnered 1 point so a win today would secure 5 further points and a pool total of 6 points. In a very tight encounter it was scoreless in the first quarter and also for the rest of the first half.

A scoreless third quarter followed, as did the opening 14 minutes of the final quarter. But in the 15th minute of quarter 4, the very last minute of the match Catholic Institute were awarded a penalty stroke. In the absence of captain Roisín Upton who missed the game, Anna Horan took on the responsibility and made no mistake from the spot to give Catholic Institute their first ever European victory. This was enough to give them 3rd place in Pool A and a tie with Argentia from Italy the 4th placed team in Pool B tomorrow.

 

Elsewhere in Pool  A:  Watsonians beat Slavia Prague 5-0 to secure 1st place in the pool. Slavia are 2nd and will take on Gaziantep who secured first place in Pool B with a 4-0 win over Argentia.  Clydesdale of Scotland secured 2nd place in Pool B with a 1-0 over Lithuania’s Ginstreke. Clydesdale take on fellow Scottish side Watsonians in Monday’s final round of games. Gaziantep play Slavia Prague while Ginstreke take on Akademischer Wien in the remaining tie.

 

Ireland Under 18 Women Competition camp in Calais

Game 1:  Ireland 1 England 6

Ireland were given a lesson in circle play for offensively and defensively as what was
otherwise an even and competitive game ended as a chastening experience.
Ireland conceded early but had maybe the better of a first half in which they created
numerous chances.

The second half started in a similarly sloppy fashion and they conceded twice early.
Milla Fulton pulled one back to give Ireland some reward for their attacking endeavours but
an England goal at the end of the quarter restored the 3 goal gap.

Two goals in the final minutes added to their disappointment.

Game 2:  Ireland 2 France 1

Ireland entered the game determined to implement some of the defensive lessons from the
previous day, Gabbi Scott gave Ireland the lead early on with a great reverse strike from a turnover,
Ireland performed much better and had chances to go further ahead but were stung with a
sucker punch in the second quarter as France equalised.

The game was not level for long however as Isobel Field scored a screamer on the reverse.
Ireland controlled the second half without adding to their lead, even dealing with 11 French
outfield players whilst having 8 of their own (discipline lessons to be learned).

After the day before it was an important to see the level of defensive intensity increase.

 

Game 3:  Ireland 2 Belgium 2

Ireland came from 2 down to snatch a draw against a strong Belgian team who had drawn
with England the day before.

Belgium scored early and followed it up with a second quarter corner goal.

Ireland struck back at the start of the third quarter when Gabbi Scott was fouled when one
on one with the keeper.

Scott took the stroke herself and made it 2-1.

EUROHOCKEY CLUB TROPHY II MEN  2023  

BANBRIDGE   HC    7   SG  AMISCORA ASD ( ITA)  1

Banbridge got off to the best possible start when Peter Brown converted a penalty corner in the first minute to make it 1-0. Johnny McKee opened his account with a field goal in the 8th minute to make it 2-0 at the end of the first quarter. Johnny got his second of the game in the second quarter making it 3-0 again with a field goal in the 17th minute. And it was 3-0 at half time.

Banbridge had only gotten started because in the third quarter Johnny McKee completed his hat-trick with another field goal on 33 minutes to leave it 4-0. Louis Rowe got a goal from open play two minutes later and that was 5-0 to Banbridge. David Finlay also from open play got his goal on 41 minutes making it 6-0 and then captain Alexander Tilley converted a penalty corner in the 50th minute to make it 7-0.

Francesco Montalbano got a consolation goal for Amiscora in the 58th minute.  It ended Banbridge 7 Amiscora 1.

BANBRIDGE:  Luke Roleston,  Alexander Tinney [capt.], Johnny McKee, Jake Rowe, Peter Brown, Sam Farson, Owen Magee, Matthew Mc Kee, Mark Cowan, Louis Rowe, Charlie Rowe

SUBS USED: Hugh McShane, David Finlay, Tommy Dobson, James Evans, Mark Barlow

 

Elsewhere in Pool B 

HAHK  Mladost of Croatia had a comfortable  5-1  win  over Swansea HC of Wales.

Pool A’s game earlier today saw TJ Plzen Litice clinch Group A with a 2-1 win over Gaziantep of Turkey .

Next up for Banbridge is their final Pool B game of the tournament against Mladost of Croatia tomorrow afternoon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EURO HOCKEY CLUB CHALLENGE I  WOMEN ALANYA TURKEY  MAY 27, 2023

POOL  A   

CATHOLIC INSTITUTE 0  SLAVIA PRAGUE 1

Catholic Institute dominated possession in their second outing at the Euro Hockey Club Challenge I tournament in Alanya, Turkey this morning. They were unable to convert the numerous chances that came their way.  A scoreless first half, during which Slavia were temporarily reduced to 10 players when Veronika Kucerová on 20 minutes, was followed  by a third quarter during which Slavia were temporarily down to 10 players due to a green card for Adéla Lehcová in the 38th minute. But not long after they were returned to their full complement, captain Nikol Babická converted from open play in the 44th minute.  It proved to be the only goal of the game.

Catholic Institute captain Roisín Upton was green carded in the final quarter and received a yellow near the end of the match which meant they finished the game with 10 players.

CATHOLIC INSTITUTE: Pamela Hearn, Christine O’Shea, Naomi Carroll, Roisín Upton [captain] , Leah Clery, Laura Foley, Ciara Maloney, Eimear Ryan, Michelle Barry, Anna Horan, Jennifer Clein

SUBS USED: Roisín Begley, Aoife Hickey, Clodagh Maloney, Elizabeth Ryan, Aoibheann Collins

 

Elsewhere in Pool A 

Watsonians of Scotland with two field goals from Katie McCallum and a penalty corner from Emily Dark were too strong for Akademisher Wien winning 3-0.

Pool B saw a 1-1 draw between Lithuanians Ginstreke and Italy’s Argentia.  Turkish side Gaziantep beat Scottish side Clydesdale 1-0 in the remaining game.  Next up for Catholic Institute is an early morning final Pool A match Akademischer Wien on Sunday.

 

 

EUROPEAN   HOCKEY CLUB TROPHY  II  MEN, 2023  AT BANBRIDGE

BANBRIDGE  – 8     SWANSEA  HC  – 0

Banbridge got their opening Pool B game underway at Havelock Park with an early goal, Jake Rowe converting a Penalty stroke in the 3rd minute to give them a 1-0 lead.  Swansea’s Tony Johnson was green carded in the 12th minute and as he was about to return, Peter Brown added a second goal in the 14th minute from open play to leave them leading 2-0 at the end of the opening quarter. A further goal followed in the third quarter when Johnny McKee made it 3-0 in the 19th minute from open play. Captain Alexander Tinny took one for the team when he was green carded on 26 minutes but Banbridge remained 3-0 ahead at the break.

Banbridge put the Welshmen to the sword in the second half, Johnny Mc Kee getting his second goal of the game from open play in the 34th minute. Charlie Rowe made it 5-0, opening his account on 36 minutes with a field account and adding a second on 54 minutes making it 6-0. Louis Rowe got in on the act in the 56th minute with his first goal of the night to make it 7-0 and completed the rout with his second of the match two minutes from time to leave the final score Banbridge 8 Swansea HC 0.

BANBRIDGE: Luke Roleston: Alexander Tinney [captain], Johnny McKee, Jake Rowe, Peter Brown, Eugene Magee, Sam Farson, Owen Magee, Louis Rowe, Charlie Rowe, Mark Cowan.

SUBS  Hugh McShane, David Finlay, James Evans, Mark Barlow, Matthew McKee

 

SWANSEA: Michael Chapman , Rhys Joseph, Thomas Judge, Thomas Viney, Max Bowyer, [captain]

SUBS: William Midwinter, Rhys Griffiths , Flynn  Harman , Callum Lloyd,  Oliver Brook

not used  Ewan Lloyd , Alfie Geach (GK)

 

Elsewhere in the tournament

TJ Plzen-Litice from Czechia got their Pool A campaign underway with an emphatic 8-0 win over Copenhagen HC of Denmark.

In Pool B the other game between SG Amsicora of Italy and HAHK Mladost from Croatia ended in a 1-0 win for the Croatians.

Next up for Banbridge is a game with SG Amsicora tomorrow evening at 6:45 p.m .

 

 

EURO HOCKEY CLUB CHALLENGE I  WOMEN  2023  ALANYA , TURKEY 

POOL  A

CATHOLIC INSTITUTE – 1  WATSONIANS HC (SCO)  – 5 

Catholic Institute made their debut in European Club competitions, and had a baptism of fire against a Watsonians team fresh from sweeping a domestic quadruple in their native Scotland.

Sarah Jamieson put them 1-0 on 34 minutes from open play and Susan Hamilton added a second goal also from open play on 40 minutes.  Catholic Institute’s Ciara Moloney converted a penalty corner on 43 minutes to get them on the scoresheet but 5 minutes later Watsonians increased their lead again through a penalty corner converted by Emily Dark. She got her second of the match three minutes later to leave the Scots leading 4-1 and in less than a minute it was 5-1 when Sarah Jamieson got her second goal of the match.

Next up for Catholic Institute is a game against Slavia Prague 10:15 tomorrow morning Irish time.

CATHOLIC INSTITUTE:  Pamela Hearn;  Christine O’Shea, Naomi Carroll, Roisín Upton [captain], Leah Clery, Laura Foley, Ciara Moloney, Eimear Ryan, Michelle Barrett, Anna Horan, Jennifer Clein SUBS: Roisín Begley, Clodagh Moloney, Rebecca Barry, Elizabeth Ryan, Aoibheann Collins.

Elsewhere in Pool A

Slavia Prague had a 3-0 win over Akademischer  HTC Wien.

Pool B saw 3-0 wins for Turkish side Gazantiep and Scottish side Clydesdale Western, over Siauliai  Ginstreke of Lithuania and Italian side HC Argentia respectively .

 

 

EUROHOCKEY CLUB TROPHY II  MEN 2023

 

Banbridge will be hosting the Eurohockey Club Trophy II for Men tournament from Friday May 26 – Monday May 29th 2023.  Two pools of teams will battle it out in order to qualify for place matches at the end of the tournament. Banbridge are in Pool B alongside Amsicora from Italy, Swansea from Wales and Mladost from Croatia. Pool A sees Gaziantep from Turkey battle it out with Plzen-Litice from Czech Republic and Copenhagen from Denmark.

The two pool winners will advance their countries representatives into Euro Hockey Club Trophy I for men in season 2023-24. Next year should Banbridge win their pool, Lisnagarvey will benefit from their efforts. Banbridge having won the EY Champions Trophy a few weeks ago will represent Ireland at EHL level.

 

BANBRIDGE

Banbridge have a great mix of experience and youth as well as a wealth of international experience with the squad. Eugen Magee, Ireland’s most capped player will retired at the end of the tournament.

Other current internationals are Johnny McKee, Charlie and Louis Rowe. Most of the squad have been graduates of Banbridge Academy. Matthew McKee may have the unique honour of being the first to win All Ireland Schools, EY League, EY Champions Trophy and Irish Senior Cup in one season. Bann have completed the “treble” of EY League, Champions Trophy and Senior Cup for the first time in their history this season.

 

Head Coach Scott McCandless is looking forward to the tournament.

It is always a challenge to play against teams and styles of play that we would not normally encounter. We will be giving the tournament our full attention to finish the season with another trophy” 

 

Banbridge first hosted a European tournament in 1985 when Amsicora also played and they returned to Banbridge when the local club hosted Round One of the EHL in 2016. Banbridge also have an interest in the Copenhagen team in former player Ian Livingstone, who now lives and works in the Danish capital.

 

BANBRIDGE FIXTURES

FRIDAY  MAY 26 2023

BANBRIDGE HC ( IRL)    –   SWANSEA  HC ( WAL)     POOL B    6:45 P.M.   HAVELOCK PARK

 

SATURDAY  MAY 27 2023

BANBRIDGE HC ( IRL)    –   SG AMSICORA  HC ( ITA)     POOL B    6:45 P.M.   HAVELOCK PARK

 

SUNDAY  MAY 28 2023

BANBRIDGE HC ( IRL)    –   HAHK MLADOST ( CRO)     POOL B    3:45 P.M.   HAVELOCK PARK

 

REMAINING  EURO HOCKEY CLUB TROPHY II  FIXTURES AT BANBRIDGE

FRIDAY  MAY 26 2023

TJ  PLZEN-LITICE (CZE)  –  COPENHAGEN  HC (DEN)    POOL A  14:15  HAVELOCK PARK

SG AMSICORA (ITA)   – HAHK MLADOST  (CRO)          POOL B  16:30 HAVELOCK PARK

 

SATURDAY MAY 27 2023

GAZIANTEP POLISGUCU (TUR)  – TJ LZEN-LITICE  (CZE)   POOL A  14:15 HAVELOCK PARK

SWANSEA HC (WAL)   -HAHK MLADOST (CRO)                 POOL A  16:30 HAVELOCK PARK

 

SUNDAY MAY 28 2023

GAZIANTEP  POLISGUCU (TUR)  -COPENHAGEN HC (DEN)   POOL A 11:15  HAVELOCK PARK

SG AMSICORA (ITA)   –  SWANSEA  HC (WAL)                          POOL B 13:30 HAVLOCK PARK

 

MONDAY MAY 29 2023

5TH AND 6TH PLACE FINAL     3RD POOL A  V 3RD  POOL  B     09:45  HAVELOCK PARK

3RD AND 4TH PLACE FINAL     2ND POOL A  V  2ND POOL B    12:00  HAVELOCK PARK

GOLD MEDAL  FINAL             1ST POOL A  V  1ST   POOL B    14:15 HAVELOCK PARK

Congratulations to all the Hockey Ireland / IHUA umpires, outlined in the table below, who have been appointed to EuroHockey and FIH tournaments / fixtures this summer.

It is fantastic to see some of last year’s Umpire Academy participants progressing on their umpiring journey. The 2023 – 2024 Umpire Academy launched at the EY Champions Trophy weekend in Banbridge (read more below). The programme sees 16 of Ireland’s up and coming umpires come on board to be offered mentoring and development opportunities in Ireland, and abroad.

Name Date Tournament
Fiona Davitt (academy mentor) 25-28-5/23 EuroHockey Club Challenge III, Porto (POR)
Rob Argent (academy mentor) 26-29/5/23 EuroHockey Club Trophy II, Banbridge
Sarah Craig 26-29/5/23

10-15/7/23

EuroHockey Club Challenge II, Vienna (AUT)

EuroHockey Girls’ Championship II-A, Zagreb (CRO)

Ellie Duffy 28/6-1/7/23 EuroHockey5’s Women’s Championship, Walcz  (POL)
Gary O’Connor 8-16/7/23 EuroHockey Boy’s Championship, Krefeld (GER)
Amy Jones 8-16/7/23 EuroHockey Girl’s Championship, Krefeld (GER)
Russell Donaldson (academy mentor) 23-29/7/23 EuroHockey Men’s Championship II, Dublin
Ali Keogh (academy mentor) 26/5-4/6/23

18-27/8/23

FIH Pro League, London

EuroHockey Women’s Championship, Moenchengladbach (GER)

Bruce Bale (academy mentor) 7-12/6/23 FIH Pro League, Eindhoven (NED)
Liz Clifford 26-29/5/23 EuroHockey Club Challenge I, Alanya (TUR)
Malcolm Coombes 10-15/7/23 EuroHockey Boy’s Championship II-A, Alanya (TUR)

The Academy launch weekend saw umpires receive coaching and development sessions with Ali Keogh, Bruce Bale, Fiona Davitt, Robert Johnston, Russell Donaldson & Rob Argent.

Speaking about the programme, Hockey Ireland Umpire Development Consultant Tom Goode said  ‘The launch of the National Umpire Academy marks the start of an exciting new venture in Irish umpiring. As part of this programme,  we will be encouraging the provincial umpiring associations to launch their own academies to work with their up and coming umpires. This will also require input from the clubs and the Club Umpire Programme is an integral part of this. Apart from increasing umpire numbers, it is also important that we provide umpires with the means to umpire to the best of their ability and to identify those who display the ability and commitment to umpire at the top provincial and national levels, as well as promoting those who display the ability and commitment to umpire at EHF & FIH level.

Some of our national academy umpires are already umpiring at the top provincial and national level and have also received EHF appointments.  We currently have 5 umpires on EHF umpire development programmes and are displaying a lot of promise. It shows what can be done.

Hopefully this is the start of something big!’

Back Row L to R: Luka Novakovic (Munster), Gary O’Connor (Munster), Aaron Donnell (Ulster), Aaron Saunders (Ulster), Victoria Johnston (Ulster), Sarah Craig (Ulster), Eimear Lenihan (Leinster), Emily Reid (Ulster)

Front Row L to R: Aidan McCullough (Leinster), Oli Brown (Ulster), Ellie Duffy (Connacht), Grace Nugent(Ulster)

Not in photo : Christina Coulter Reilly (Leinster), Amy Jones (Ulster), James Doherty (Ulster) Ross Jones (Ulster)

Ireland 4 Scotland 0
The Irish Senior Women beat Scotland 4-0 in their first game of a two game series in The University of Ulster on Saturday.
Ireland were 1-0 up at the end of quarter one with Deirdre Duke volleying home first time after a loose ball in the attacking circle. Ireland were two goals in front in quarter two with Mikayla Power scoring her first senior goal in her first outing for the Senior team.
Sarah Hawkshaw and Naomi Carroll linked up brilliantly after disposing Scotland of the ball and Mikayla showed great composure to beat the Scottish keeper.
Scotland held Ireland at bay in quarter three. Ireland scored two goals in the last quarter. Caoimhe Perdue scored a drag flick off a short corner to put Ireland three goals up.
The goal of the match came with 6 minutes to go. Roisin Upton took a quick free on the half way and finds Zara Malseed free in the circle with a beautifully floated aerial. Zara deflected the ball first time in the air into the goal to a marvellous applause from all the supporters.

Ireland 1 Scotland 1
Scotland took the lead within the first minute of the match starting. It took Ireland until quarter four to equalise in what was a bit of a frustrating game for the girls in green. Scotland really put the pressure on the Irish team.
Ireland struggled to gain momentum in the game in comparison to the previous day. They did force a number of penalty corners throughout the game but the Scottish keeper was in superb form between the posts.
Ireland did score off a well worked corner routine, Michelle Carey getting a lovely touch to a Roisin Upton drag flick.
Ireland head to The Netherlands for their next series of games at the start of June, playing The Netherlands, Argentina, Australia and Japan and coming back to Dublin on the 10th, 12th and 13th June to play against USA.

Hockey Ireland U16 and U18 boys and girls squads are holding fundraising raffles. By buying a raffle ticket, not only do you get a chance to win an incredible prize, but you will also be supporting the girls and boys sport as well as future elite Irish athletes.

The Hockey Ireland U16 Girls are talented young women training hard to compete in the 4 Nations Tournament at Easter in Aachen, Germany, and the 8 Nations Tournament in In July in Granada, Spain. They have eleven training weekends between now and July and are working hard to have the best possible start to their international campaign.

The Irish U18 Girls Hockey Team are participating in test matches in Poland & France & the EuroHockey U18 Girls Championship in Germany July 2023. There are huge costs associated with preparing for and attending these events and as they are self-funded the U18 Girls are running a Super Raffle to raise these essential funds.

The Ireland U16 Boys Hockey squad has an annual cost of €65k. The volunteer coaches and manager run a comprehensive year-long international programme that prepares the boys to compete at the top European Championship each year. This consists of weekly strength & conditioning, video analysis, daily athlete wellbeing monitoring through GPS equipment, regional and central training sessions, international test matches across Europe, culminating in the end of season championships, which this year will take place in Spain.

The Hockey Ireland Under 18 Boys Hockey squad is a self-funded team, coached and managed by volunteers, and this July we are working to maintain ‘Division A’ status at the 10 team Europeans to be held in Krefeld, Germany.

 

Find the underage raffles from each team below:

U16 Girls Raffle Tickets here

U18 Girls Raffle Tickets here

U16 Boys Raffle Tickets here

U18 Boys Raffle Tickets here

 

IRISH WOMEN’S HOCKEY CHALLENGE 

 

PORTRANE 3 UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY 1

At the start of this game there were a number of possible outcomes. One would have seen University Of Galway win this competition and then add the Irish Hockey Trophy to secure a unique double on the day for the Women’s part of the student Hockey Club. However, there was another possible scenario which is actually how things transpired and that was Portrane won the Irish Women’s Hockey Challenge Trophy and brought it back to North County Dublin.

In the first quarter Portrane struck in the 11th minute when Sarah Jane Kelly converted a penalty corner. Sarah Jane Kelly was also green carded in the 25th minute temporarily reducing her team to 10 players. The second quarter was scoreless and the Dubliners led 1-0 at half time.

The second half got under way and shortly into the third quarter Portrane increased their lead when captain Hannah Moynihan scored from open play to make it 2-0. She added another goal, her second of the game four minutes later to leave Portrane leading 3-0 with almost half an hour left to play.

University of Galway responded within a minute through Ailill Dorman’s goal from open play in the 42nd minute. Portrane’s Nadine Patterson was yellow carded on 57 minutes. Jenny Buttimer of University of Galway was similarly penalised on 64 minutes and Isobel Farell of Portrane got the third yellow of the game and missed the end of the match on 66 minutes.

The final score was Portrane 3 University of Galway 1 and the Cup is on it’s way to North County Dublin.

PORTRANE: Neasa Bissett, Jenny Farrell, Nadine Patterson, Sarah Jane Kelly, Hannah Moynihan [captain], Sarah Dowling, Sarah Keon, Ruth Basson, Hailey Clark, Isobel Farrell, Eva Van Dreumel, Mieke Van Dreumel ,Caoimhe McCann, Katie Lloyd, Emma Walsh .

UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY: Ellen Duffy, Aoife Roche, Eimear McCallon, Eabha Durkan, Eimear Walsh, Eva O’Donnell, Jenny Buttimer, Aisling McGrath, Aoife Murphy [captain], Ailill Dorman, Katie Osborne, Chloe Lawlor, Anna Gavin, Ciara Murphy, Florence McDonald, Mia Walsh, Orla Bagnall

 

 

IRISH WOMEN’S JUNIOR CUP 

 

CORINTHIANS 1 UCD 0

Corinthians women’s 2nds retained their Irish Junior Cup title with a closely fought 1-0 win over UCD at Belfield. Despite finishing in 6th place in the Leinster Women’s Division 2, three places below their opposition and also despite only collecting one point out of a possible six in their League outings, the Whitechurch based team were able to get the job done on the big day but at one point in the fourth quarter it looked like this game could possibly go all the way to a shoot out as three quarters had failed to produce a goal and the fourth looked like heading in a similar direction.

Early in the second quarter UCD were temporarily reduced to 10 players while Caro Theunisz served a two minute suspension due to her being green carded on 25 minutes. 0-0 at half time and well into the third quarter. Alannah Quinsey of Corinthians was green carded on the hour mark but the reduction to 10 players however temporarily did not impact the game at all.

With seven minutes left to play Laura Motyer scored from open play and it proved to be the match winner. Laura whose older brother is a former UCD player, scored in the 63rd minute and it proved decisive. UCD were unable to respond and the Junior Cup is returning to Whitechurch for the second year in a row.

Corinthians Men’s and Women’s firsts have enjoyed a very successful year winning their Leinster Men’s Division 1A and Women’s Division 1 titles respectively and both teams collecting the EYHL 2 Trophies as well. Corinthians, following this latest success, will have a lot of Cups to keep shiny for the next twelve months.

Final score from the Irish Junior Cup Final Corinthians 1 UCD 0.

CORINTHIANS: Hannah McKenna, Laura Heaney, Ciara Vincent, Sophie Maleady, Hannah McGrane, Camila Arbulo, Chalotte Stapleton, Annasophia Moller, Nadia Skelton, Deborah Young, Avril Cullen, Laura Motyer, Alannah Quinsey, Anna Peard, Niamh Walsh, Annabel Squires.

UCD: Lisa Baldwin, Abby Gilsenan, Sarah Fogarty, Anna Costello, Ciara Kelly, Lucy Bell, Emily Kavanagh, Isobel Bowen, Lauren Tracey [captain], Ella Ryan, Orla O’Donnell, Anna McCarthy, Fiona McNulty, Kate Ryan, Jessica Wagenaar, Caro Theunisz, Juliet Greene

 

 

IRISH WOMEN’S HOCKEY TROPHY 

 

UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY 0 OMAGH 0 (UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY WIN 4-1 IN SHOOTOUT)

The Irish Women’s Hockey Trophy decider went all the way to a shoot out before a winner could be decided. It was a scoreless first quarter which saw Honour Davison green carded for Omagh in the 14th minute. In a goalless second quarter Emma Fulton was green carded for Omagh in the 28th minute.

It was also a scoreless third quarter, where Gemma Buchanan of Omagh collected a green card in the 58th minute and in the goalless fourth quarter, Hannah Kelly of University of Galway was green carded in the 64th minute and Katharine McDowell of Omagh was green carded in the 68th minute.

So after 70 minutes of hockey it was down to penalties to decide the destination of this final piece of silverware from a hectic weekend. Ailbhe Folan took the first penalty for University of Galway and scored. Katie McDonnell missed the first one for Omagh 1-0. Hannah Kelly scored the second one for University of Galway 2-0. Amy McCollum missed the second one for Omagh 2-0 to University of Galway.

Ciara Dunne put University of Galway 3-0 up with their third penalty . Honour Davison got Omagh on the scoresheet when she converted Omagh’s third penalty to leave it 3-1.

Jenny Buttimer stepped to take University of Galway’s fourth penalty and made no mistake, and it finished 4-1 to the students of University of Galway in the shoot out and the Irish Women’s Hockey Trophy is heading west of the Shannon.

UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY: Anna O’Donoghue, Ailbhe Folan (captain), Emma Dillon, Aoife Quinn, Jenny Buttimer, Ciara Dunne, Ellie Hughes, Jess Dwyer-Matthews, Hannah Kelly, Megan Clinton, Ciara Burke, Aisling McGrath, Emily Duane (GK), Ailil Dorman, Aoife Roche.

OMAGH: Alison Long, Holly Swann, Emma Fulton, Emma Buchanan, Heather Moffitt, Gemma Buchanan, Lyndsey McCay, Cari McKinley, Honour Davison, Sophie Smyth, Lisa Barr, Laura White [captain], Rachel Buchanan, Katie McDowell, Katie Ballantine, Hollie Berrabah, Amy McCollum