Third 'Hockey for all' Blitz hosted by Loreto Hockey Club

On Sunday 5th Feb last, the Irish Rugby Team may have been in the Aviva Stadium playing a Six-Nation match against the Welsh Rugby Team, but the real “non-stop action” was taking place in Loreto Beaufort, where all eyes were on the 90 schoolchildren from 1st & 2nd Class in Loreto Primary School Grange Road who were playing in the third and final ‘Hockey For All’ blitz.

As all the teams arrived (each with three Managers no less !!) it was clear that all teams were extremely well prepared and that they all meant business on the pitch. All the young players were very excited – so too it must be said were their very enthusiastic parents. Based on the past experience of running two previous ‘Hockey for all’ Blitz’s, it was decided to run this event as a separate Hockey Blitz for the 1st class and the 2nd class children.

1st Class Blitz – In the 1st Class Blitz, despite their relatively young age, some super hockey was played in the Round Robin matches. It was fabulous to see all the girls participating so keenly and so competitively!!!! (Thankfully there were no major injuries to report). Players like Mia Stenson and Martha Mc Donald (Black Team), Amy Maher and Shireen Kamvar (Red Team) demonstrated some super skills and led their teams by example. In the end, after all the Round Robin matches were played, it was the Pink Team and the White Team that made it to the Final. [nggallery id=1]

In the Final, there was very little between these two super teams. Both teams gave their all. Defensively Caoilinn Dunne and Amy Kalayil (White Team) were very brave and cleared their lines again and again. The Pink team eventually broke the deadlock with two brilliantly taken goals from Jessica Doyle and Kate Faherty. Kate Donaghy played superbly all day and she caught the eye of the judges who awarded her the “1st Class Player of the Tournament” trophy.

2nd Class blitz – In the 2nd Class Blitz the standard of hockey on display was wonderful. The level of commitment was again 100% with all teams showing great attacking skills and resolute defending!!. Players like Alex Boylan, and Clodagh Delaney (Yellow Team) Robyn McGovern and Ella Feehan (Blue Team) displayed a superb range of hockey skills. In the end after all the Round Robin matches were played, it was the Purple Team and the Green Team that made it to the Final.

Again this Final proved to be a very close match. Ana Kennedy, Leonie Power and Ella Reid (Green Team) showed great defensive bravery and skills throughout the game. The Purple Team had a few scary defensive moments before Sarah Jane Phelan and Ellie McAree scored the winning goals for the Purple Team. Ellie McAree had further joy when she won the ‘2nd Class Player of the Tournament’ trophy.

A very special thanks to Loreto’s Irish Hockey International player Nikki Symmons (Symmo) who literally had to dash from Dublin airport to Beaufort (after a six hour delay coming back from South Africa) in order to spend time doing a ‘Meet & Greet’ session, signing endless autographs and getting her photo taken with all the children and their teams. Symmo was also on hand to make the day extra special for the children, when she kindly stayed on to present all finalist with medals along with the two “Player of the Tournament” trophies. –

Symmo also very kindly presented Sr. Maria with a signed Irish Hockey Shirt to raffle among the children – Thanks a mil Symmo – think that you have acquired quite a few new fans!! in Loreto Primary School.
Many thanks to Ben Epstein, Emily Wright, Laren Mellon, Sarah Jane Kelly, Aisling O’Donnell & Sarah Cooney who ran the Blitz so professionally and without a hitch. Also many thanks to our kitchen helpers – Caroline Moran, Saidhbh O’Kelly, Nichola Lynch , Edel Maxwell and Ciara McGovern for making endless cups of tea/coffee/refreshments for the parents/grandparents of the players.

Speaking after this third ‘Hockey for all’ Blitz ended, Prez Bronnie confirmed that the Hockey Club were absolutely delighted with the success of all three Hockey Blitz’s. Bronnie praised Sr Maria and Gabrielle for all their hard work in advance of each Blitz. The children of Loreto Primary School Grange Road were a credit to Sr. Maria, their school and their parents.

As these ‘Hockey for all’ Blitz’s have proved so successful and so popular with the children, Loreto Hockey Club are committed to running the same three Blitz’s next season for all the children in Loreto Primary School Grange Road.