Irish Hockey League Match Reports 2014

Saturday 29th November, 2014

Loreto played their Round 3 Irish Hockey League match last Saturday against UCD and were narrowly beaten one nil with UCD’s Emily Beatty scoring the only goal from a penalty corner in the  tenth minute.    This was a high tempo, high quality entertaining match between the only two teams in the competition who had two wins in their first two pool matches.  Although UCD’s squad contained 7 current and two previous international players, Loreto’s equally young team, boasting three current and two previous international players, competed throughout and provided a stern test for the home favourites.   While UCD just shaded it, Loreto deserved their losing bonus point which is awarded when a team is beaten by only one goal.

Saturday November 1st, 2014 

Congratulations to Loreto Firsts on a fine win last Saturday in the Irish Hockey League against Ulster Elks.  This puts Loreto joint top ofIHL Pool B on eight points with UCD who they will play in Round 3 on Sat 29 November in Belfield at 2.30pm.

In last Saturday’s match v Ulster Elks, watched by Irish Senior Women’s Team Coach Darren Smith, Loreto had to graft hard, dig deep and defend six penalty corners.  They got their reward for a great team effort.  Loreto’s goals were scored in the first quarter by Hayley Mulcahy and in the last quarter by Hannah Matthews.

October 2014

The Irish Hockey League, comprising the best 12 teams in Ireland, consists of two Pools with 6 teams in each.  For this season Loreto are in Pool B along with UCD, Ulster Elks, Ards, Cork Harlequins and Greenfields.  Pool A teams are Railway, Hermes, Pegasus, Ballymoney, Lurgan and UCC. Teams play five matches against the other teams in their pool and then the top 2 teams in each pool compete in a Finals Weekend scheduled for next April 2015, with the winners qualifying to play in European Competition in 2016.

Unlike the last two seasons where all IHL matches were played in a six-week period at the end of the normal hockey season,  the IHL matches this season will be spread throughout the season.  Loreto’s five matches are as follows:

October 11        Home v Greenfields

November 1      Home v Ulster Elks

November 29    Away v UCD

February 7        Away v Cork Harlequins

February 28      Home v Ards

You will note that the first IHL match is at home this coming Saturday, at 2.30pm in Beaufort.  If you are around, we would welcome your support!  Home IHL matches are always a good day at the Club when the club members make a big effort to help out as volunteers in providing an extra special welcome to visiting teams, officials and supporters.

The First Team Squad this year has a new look to it, following some high profile retirements.  It is the youngest Loreto Senior Squad for many years, with 8 players under 21 years of age!  The Squad for this Saturday’s match is as follows:

Ruth Murphy

Ali Meeke

Sarah O’Loughlin

Sinead McGirr

Hayley Mulcahy

Nikki McConnell

Carly Baker

Lauren O’Leary

Elena Tice

Jessica McGirr

Niamh Small (Capt)

Lizzie Colvin

Zoe Ennis

Hannah Matthews

Ciara Vincent

If you have any queries on the Irish Hockey League, or indeed if you would like to volunteer as a helper for hosting home IHL matches, please contact IHL Match Co-Ordinator Sally Ann Fanagan.