Fillies, News → 80 kids take part in Loreto 'Hockey for all' blitz

80 kids take part in Loreto 'Hockey for all' blitz

5th & 6th Classes “Hockey for all Blitz” – Sunday 11th November, 2012

There was great excitement and no shortage of hockey skills in Beaufort on Sunday 11th November last when almost 80 schoolchildren from 5th & 6th class in Loreto Primary School took part in the first of this season’s “Hockey for all” Blitz hosted by Loreto Hockey Club.

All teams that took part in the “Hockey Blitz” were extremely well prepared by Managers. All Managers arrived on time for a 10 minute Managers Briefing nd thereafter they quickly got all their teams focused and ready to go.

The standard of hockey played by all the children was absolutely fantastic and the eagerness of the children taking part was very clear for all to see. Clearly the pupils of Loreto Primary School are all gone “All Hockey-mad” which is just brilliant to see!!

Again there was super support by so many of the player’s parents, who stayed for the duration of the Blitz to give encouragement and vocal support to all the children. This year it was decided to run two separate “Hockey for All Blitz’s” for the 5th and 6th classes children. The format of each Blitz was that every team played a total of three 15 minute Round Robin Matches and then the two top teams in each section went into a “Grand Finals”.

5th Class Tournament

[singlepic id=281 w=350 h=300 float=right]In the 5th Class Blitz the Grand Final was contested by the Pink Team, (Managed by Neasa Moran/ Sinead Potts & Captained by Olivia Meagher) and the Blue Team (Managed by Geraldine Kelly/ Billy Meagher & Captained by Anna O’Shea. Indeed this Grand Final was a bit of a “family affair” for the O’ Shea household as Anna’s sister Lucy was on the Pink team!

This was a very tight match which either team could have won, if it was not for some “very resolute” and no nonsense defending by Grace O’Connor and Crea Elliott (Pink Team) and Aisling Murray and Hollyn Kennedy (Blue team). Eventually the deadlock was broken six minutes from the end when Emma Potts very cleverly and very skilfully scored the winning goal. Congrats to both teams for their super commitment and bravely – you were all just brilliant.

[singlepic id=282 w=340 h=310 float=left]

Loreto’s very own Nikki Symmons (Symo) attended to support the Blitz and to do a “Meet & Greet” will all the teams. (Think she signed everything from sticks to stick bags, shin guards, tee-shirts and even runners!!!).

Nikki was delighted to meet up once again with many of the children from the Primary School who had taken time out to support her along with Loreto’s other International “Smallie” and the rest of the Irish Hockey Team in UCD last September at an International Hockey Match against Scotland.

Nikki was very impressed by the hockey skills of a number of 5th class pupils namely Amelia Rodgers and Emily Kealy (Red Team) Aisling Murray and Sarah Moore (Blue Team) and Clodagh Gillis (Green Team), but in the end she decided to awarded the 5th Class Player of the Tournament to Olivia Meagher for her outstanding performances throughout the four matches she played. – Well done Olivia, a fantastic achievement.

6th Class Tournament

[singlepic id=283 w=340 h=310 float=right]In the 6th Class Blitz the Grand Final was contested by the Purple Team, (Managed by Una Price & Captained by Emma Nolan who lead by example throughout) and the Black Team (Managed by Jean Gargan / Carol Carty & Captained by Niamh O’Brian who again led her team so brilliantly.)

This 6th Class Grand Final was certainly not for the faint-hearted as right from the start both teams went at it with nothing less than 100% commitment. There was no holding back from both teams and it was fair to say all the tackles were totally “full on” with no quarter asked or given. (thankfully there were no injuries to report!! – we even had “Dello” the nurse on duty!).

[singlepic id=284 w=340 h=310 float=left]The game ended 1-1 in normal time thanks to goals from Saoirse Hassett (Purple Team) and Ellen Thompson (Black Team). Over the next 10 minutes of “Extra Time”, it proved impossible to separate these two great teams, this was mainly due to the superb and very brave defending by Alison Kelly & Katie Nolan (Purple Team) and Ciara Mulligan & Aisling Gargan (Black Team). Eventually it was decided to go to a “Shoot out” which the Purple Team won 3-2 after sudden death!! . Congrats to both team members and Managers – this was a superb advert for the game of hockey. A special congrats to Saoirse Hassett who was selected by Symo as the 6th Class Player of the Tournament.

Loreto Hockey Club – Thanks a mil to…

These “Hockey for All Blitz’s” are clearly proving to be very popular, but they do not happen without a number of great people behind the scenes.
Firstly to the Hockey Clubs super members, Campo, Ben, SJ, Emily, Lauren and Niamho thanks for all the umpiring/ photo’s /first aid /PA etc. Also to the great “Kitchen Team” of Club Captain Gemma, Dello and Annie who provided refreshment to all the LPS parents – well done everybody – take a bow, job very well done.

To all in Loreto Primary School – thanks a mil to…

A big “thank you” to all the parents who volunteered to come on board as Team Managers. Sincere thanks for all your enthusiasm, your energy and your total commitment and fun to your teams. – you were super, thanks again.

A massive “thank you” is also due to Sr. Maria (Principal) and Anne Bradish (Secretary) of Loreto Primary School for all the great admin work they do prior to each “Hockey for All Blitz”. Most people don’t realise it, but there is a lot of admin work done in advance of each Blitz, e.g. organising parent’s consent, sorting players into teams, producing lists of colour-coding teams and getting parents to act as Managers.

Very special credit must be given to Sr. Maria herself, who had the initial idea of getting these “Hockey for All Blitz’s” up and running last year. As the photos below show, Maria is fast becoming a “Hockey Fan”. She skillfully scored in front of all the pupils and parents while demonstrating the art of the “Shoot Out” – (no pressure there Maria!!!!). We hear Loreto’s Hilly Hardiman’s will shortly be contacting Maria’s “agent” to sign her up on a very lucrative contract to play for the Hockey Club Vets!!.

[singlepic id=279 w=340 h=310 float=right]» Sr. Maria shows off her “Hockey Skills” – one to watch for sure!!!

Special thanks also to Sr. Katrina Joyce (a former hockey player herself) who attended the Blitz and gave great encouragement to all the children. Katrina is fast proving herself to be a great hockey supporter this season for both the Senior and Junior Sections.

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