Posted 14 May 2012
UCD Ladies Hockey claim Electric Ireland Irish Senior Cup
UCD claimed the title of Electric Ireland Women’s Irish Senior Cup Champions on Sunday 13th May 2012 with a 3-2 win over Loreto.
This concludes a fantastic season for the UCD Ladies Hockey Team who have also claimed a number of other distinguished honours including the Leinster Division 1 Cup and League double, and the Chilean Cup, beating Queen’s University in the final.
UCD captain Laura Wilson and team-mates celebrate with the cup - Electric Ireland Women's Irish Senior Cup Final, UCD v Loreto, National Hockey Stadium, UCD, Belfield. Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
Match report
The game started off with the students dominating early play making the majority of inroads to the circle but Louisa Healy in goals for Loreto stood strong until UCD executed a text book penalty corner piece in the 10th minute. UCD switched the ball back to the injector for Niamh Atcheler to sweep it in close by the post.
UCD continued to dominate the match while Loreto struggled to find rhythm. Against the run of the half Loreto secured an equaliser in the 35th minute with a penalty corner conversion from Hannah Matthews.
Loreto came out in the second half looking much more in tune and immediately began attacking with some great work by Nicci Daly. Loreto's eager start paid off just 3 minutes into the second half when Cathy McKean and Nicci Daly combined to set up a lovely two on one, beating Stella Davis in goals, to go 2-1 up.
Sarah Greene, left, and Jeamie Deacon, UCD, in action against Nicci Daly, Loreto. Electric Ireland Women's Irish Senior Cup Final, UCD v Loreto, National Hockey Stadium, UCD, Belfield, Dublin. Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
UCD fought hard and just seconds after Nikki Keegan's deft touch, which was denied by the post, UCD were in a goal mouth scramble which allowed Rachel O'Reilly to get on the end and level the sides at 2-2.
Just as it was looking like extra time was the only thing to separate the sides, an aerial ball set up Watkins and O'Flanagan to create a perfect 2 on 1, to make it 3-2 in the 65th minute, leaving Loreto heartbroken for the second time in 8 days.
UCD 3 (1) Niamh Atcheler 10m pc; Rachel O'Reilly 48m op; Anna O'Flanagan 65m op
Loreto 2 (1) Hannah Matthews 35m pc; Nicci Daly 38m op
The victorious UCD team coached by Johnny Harte was Niamh Atchler, Kate Collins Smyth, Stella Davis, Jeamie Deacon, Hannah deBurgh Whyte, Deirdre Duke, Leah Ewart, Noelle Farrell, Brenda Flannery, Dora Gorman, Nicola Gray, Sarah Greene, Caroline Hill, Anna O’Flanagan, Rachel O’Reilly, Chloe Watkins and Laura Wilson (Captain).
There were a number of individual achievements from this talented team, which included Niamh Atchler, Deirdre Duke, Nicola Gray, Sarah Greene, Caroline Hill, Jessica McMickian, Leah Ewart, Brenda Flannery and Jessica McMickian all capped at their respective provincial level and Chloe Watkins, Niamh Atchler and Anna O’Flannagan all capped for the Irish Senior Women’s team.
The Electric Ireland Women's Senior Cup dates back to 1903 and is the highlight of the domestic calendar played as a double-header with the men's final, on Cup Final Day. The competition is an open draw format. For more visit Irish Hockey Association.
(Produced by UCD University Relations)
