After a nail-biting match, Loreto emerged victorious after beating UCD at the EYHL Champions Trophy final on Sunday 23 April 2023.
UCD went into the game not having beaten Loreto in either of their two EYHL Women’s Division encounters this season. The previous game in Beaufort had ended in a 2-1 win for Loreto and the return fixture had ended in a 2-2 draw. UCD had pipped Loreto to the title on the final day of the season and there was no reason ahead of the final to think that the game would be anything but close.
A tense opening corner produced very few chances and no goals. Loreto were temporarily down to 10 players as early as the 3rd minute when Aoife Taaffe was given a green card. Charlotte Cope later received a green card for UCD but neither side could capitalize on their opponents’ temporary reduction to 10 players.
It remained scoreless in the second quarter, with Sara McAuley also sitting out on a green card for UCD in the 17th minute. The half time score was 0-0.
Shortly into the second half, Sara McAuley was yellow carded, temporarily reducing the players to 10 players. The deadlock was broken however during the third quarter. Former UCD player Rachel Kelly, came back to haunt her former team by opening the scoring for Loreto from open play to make it 1-0.
Despite much determination, UCD could not manage to score a goal before the final whistle and the game ended 1-0 to Loreto.
Loreto will now qualify for the EHL and UCD will qualify for the second tier European competition.
Today concludes the end of the EYHL Champions Trophy. Major teams battled it out in Banbridge but only two could come out winners. Congratulations to Loreto and Banbridge for their wins 🏆
You can find the full match report in the link in bio 👆
… pic.twitter.com/0WAvM0wQAI— Hockey Ireland (@irishhockey) April 23, 2023
LORETO: Lorna Bateman, Kate Crotty, Zoe Dunne, Lisa Mulcahy, Ella Pasley, Caitlin Sherin, Mia Jennings [C] Yasmin Pratt, Grace Donald, Grace McLoughlin, Christina Hamill, Nicola Torrans, Sara Torrans, Aoife Taaffe, Rachel Kelly, Síofra O’Brien
UCD: Norah Mc Ginty, Leah O’Shea, Grace Keane, Katherine Egan, Charlotte Cope, Caoimhe Byrne, Katie-Jane Marshall, Lucy Cope, Sophia Cole, Niamh Carey, Sarah McAuley, Hannah McLaughlin [C], Eva Lavelle, Áine Naughton, Ali Griffin, Lisa Baldwin (GK)