A brilliant weekend for Loreto, knocking out UCD in the semi-final on Saturday and progressing to the final to beat Cork Harlequins 2-1, winning the EY Champions Trophy 2018.
Semi-Final: Loreto v. UCD
UCD presented a real challenge to anyone who was to come up against the team but Loreto took the challenge head on, winning the match 1 - 0, with a score from Ali Meeke. Having successfully attained the Irish Senior Cup and Irish Hockey League Title, UCD were undoubtedly aiming to top off the year with the Champions Trophy. Loreto were the underdogs, finishing 22 points behind UCD in the Irish Hockey League, but a strong performance led them to victory and a place in the final. Loreto were knocked out by UCD in last years semi-final which would make the win all the sweeter.
Semi-Final: Pegasus v. Cork Harlequins
The second semi-final of the day had the two teams fight tooth and nail trying to get to the final of the EY Champions Trophy. At the final whistle, the score was 2-2, which brought the game to a penalty shoot out. Steph Thompson scored the first goal of the game for Pegasus, with a quick response from Michelle Barry, levelling the score for Cork Harlequins. Barry knocked another one over the line for her team, hoping to bring her team to the final but Pegasus weren't ready to concede. McKay put her team right back in the game scoring the goal which levelled the game again and brought it to the penalty shoot out.
Harlequins won the penalty shoot out 3 goals to one:
- Cliodhna Sargent, Michelle Barry and Rebecca Barry scored for Harlequins
- Taite Doherty scored for Pegasus
Final: Loreto v. Cork Harlequins
Harlequins started off strong, with an early goal by Michelle Barry in the 14th minute. Loreto held strong, kept cool and bided their time to seize their goal scoring opportunities. The first penalty of the game brought the teams back level, with Nicci Daly sending the ball over the line. The 41st minute saw Loreto's Mia Jennings take them to pole position, with the second goal for Loreto. Harlequins tried and tested their opposition but were unable to break through and produce another score, with Loreto holding on until the end to win the final of the EY Champions Trophy 2-1.
Grange Road saw some excellent determination, skill and excitement, with a brilliant weekend of sun in Dublin.
Loreto: A Carragher, A Meeke, S O’Brien, H McLoughlin, C Sherin, N Small, S Torrans, C Hamill, H Matthews, S Clarke, N Daly. Subs: S Evans, L Fitzgerald, M Jennings, H McDermott, J McGirr, H Mulcahy, A Taaffe.
Cork Harlequins: E Barber, M Barry, R Barry, E Buckley, I Burns, N Carroll, Y O’Byrne, E O’Leary, C Perdue, C Sargent, R Upton. Subs: S Griffin, R Hobbs, S Murphy, A O’Grady, J O’Halloran, E O’Meara, O Roycroft.
Special congratulations to Emma Buckley who won female GK of the tournament and Ali Meeke who was named Player of the Tournament.
