Defending champions Catholic Institute ended up surrendering their Irish Senior Cup title after a closely fought encounter with Monkstown on Saturday, 29 April 2023.
Monkstown began the game well and forced an early penalty corner which did not produce the opening goal. Aoife Hickey received a green card in the 12th minute but not even this temporary reduction to 10 players did anything to break the deadlock.
In a quarter with lots of end-to-end play, it was Catholic Institute who took the lead from open play in the 18th minute through Rebecca Barry.
Insta carried this 1-0 lead well into the second quarter until the final minute when Monkstown got on the scoresheet. Natasha Twomey with a field goal got Monkstown back level just on the stroke of half time. Short of their internationals Roisin Upton and Naomi Carroll who were not available due to international commitments, Institute battled gamely throughout the game.
In the third quarter Monkstown took the lead and it came from a set piece. Monkstown had forced numerous penalty corners in succession and been repelled repeatedly by the Institute defence.
Eventually Chloe Watkins found Sara Twomey who converted following a penalty corner on 34 minutes to give Monkstown a 2-1 lead at half time. Despite pressure from Institute, Monkstown weathered the storm and increased their lead in the final quarter when Emily Kealy converted another penalty corner in the 68th minute.
The final score was Monkstown 3 Catholic Institute 1. Monkstown are the Irish Senior Cup Champions 2023 in their first ever final as a club.
Well done to Monkstown, Catholic Institute, Banbridge and Glenanne today at the Irish Senior Cup Finals 🔥
You can now find the match report at the link in bio 🏆 #ISC pic.twitter.com/cHL7GFUr3p
— Hockey Ireland (@irishhockey) April 29, 2023
MONKSTOWN: Martina Duignan, Emily Kealy, Sophie Moore, Jennifer Hamill, Claire O’Reilly, Rebecca Carhy, Sara Twomey, Natasha Twomey, Aoibhin Murdoch, Suzie Kelly, Olivia Brady, Millie Jermin, Orla Young-Hughes, Charlotte O’Neill, Chloe Watkins [capt.], Caoimhe Seymour Sub GK
CATHOLIC INSTITUTE: Pamela Smithwick-Hearne, Christina O’Shea, Roisin Begley, Aoife Hickey, Alison Clein, Leah Clery, Laura Foley, Ciara Moloney, Clodagh Moloney, Eimear Ryan [capt.], Michelle Barry, Aine Ryan, Rebecca Barry, Anna Horan, Elizabeth Ryan, Aoibheann Collins, Jennifer Clein Miriam O’Callaghan Sub GK