Monday, April 21: A hugely successful day in European competitions saw two Irish clubs secure medal positions, while several Irish International athletes medaled with their clubs in the Euro Hockey League, Europe’s top tier club hockey competition.
Loreto Hockey Club kicked things off, securing a bronze medal in Czechia in the EuroHockey Club Trophy I. The Leinster side faced France’s Cambrai HC in the 3rd/4th place placement game after both sides secured second in their group. Loreto showed their quality from the off, leading by four goals going into the break thanks to penalty corner goals from Mia Jennings, Rebekah Fitzpatrick and Caitlin Sherin, and an open play goal from Siofra O’Brien. Both Rebekah Fitzpatrick and Siofra O’Brien added a second to their tally to help fire Loreto to a 6-1 win and a bronze medal.
Lisnagarvey ended their EuroHockey Club Trophy I campaign with a silver medal. A thrilling final against Cam 92 saw Garvey fight back from behind on two separate occasions to force a shootout which the France side went on to win 4-2.
Ireland’s Jaime Carr and Sean Murray secured a gold medal in the Men’s Euro Hockey League with Belgian club Gantoise. The current Belgian champions secured a 4-2 win over Dutch side HC Bloemendaal in Den Bosch to take home the title. Hannah McLoughlin, also at Gantoise, secured a medal in the Women’s EHL beating Dusseldorfer HC 3-0 in the bronze medal match.
Former Railway Union duo Niamh and Michelle Carey enjoyed an exceptional spell in the Women’s EHL with their current club Braxgata. The Belgian side qualified for the competition for the very first time this year, reaching today’s Grand Final where they were beaten by hosts Den Bosch, taking home a silver medal.