Promotion to EY1

22 Apr 2024

The weekend started with Div3 UCC taking on Cork Wanderers who were bottom of Division 2 at Ashton HC on Saturday. UCC started off well and were on for the battle. It was a hard fought game and in the end Cork Wanderers got the better of UCC winning 2-1. Division 3 are a fantastic team and look forward to their Cup final next weekend against C of I. A very cohesive group under the captaincy of Niamh Casey and very committed to training and turning up when needed. Coach John Jeffery has gotten the best out of this group, working together and getting better as the season went on.

Division 1 had their EYHL2 semi final at 5pm on Saturday against northern team Belfast Harlequins. UCC started the better side but allowed Belfast Harlequins settle into the game. UCC scored just before half time with a great individual goal from Julia McCarthy who reacted trapping a high rebound and tapping it in. The students capitalised in the second half with a goal from captain Abi O Mahony and a well worked goal with Jane Murphy doing the hard work and setting up Emma O Sullivan to slot it in. Belfast Harlequins did get a consolation goal with minutes to go but UCC won out 3-1 and sealed promotion to EYHL1 for next season. The team played Ards in the EYHL2 final On Sunday. While promotion was guaranteed a final win would have ended the weekend nicely for UCC. Ards scored early through a corner and maintained their lead throughout, scoring again in the 4th quarter for a 2-0 win. It was a game where UCC played well but just couldn’t score. However job done and promotion to EYHL1.

The students have one final game against Cork Harlequins who unfortunately didn’t qualify for EY1. The winners will be Munster League Champions. Day and time still to be confirmed.

Well done to the Division 1 team and to the hard working coach Dave Hobbs, assistant coach Phil Byrne and manager Colette Coomey. This group have been very committed throughout the season, early gym sessions at the Mardyke Arena elite gym, hard training sessions, travelling up the country and making sacrifices that only elite athletes can make. It was a huge team effort by both players and the coaching staff.

The weekend finished with Division 5 travelling to Limerick and taking on Dungarvan at University of Limerick in warm conditions. UCC were the better team throughout but took until the 3rd quarter to score through an Anna MacGoey goal. UCC sealed their victory with an Alex McKnight goal in the 4th quarter and promotion to Division 4. A job well done to our Division 5 team with Reece Hawtrey coaching this side. Captained by Meabh Hughes and Mary McGuire the team are now promoted along with Crescent to Division 4 and look forward to next years season.

Division 1 promoted to EY 1, playoff against Cork Harlequins for Munster Senior League
Division 2 2nd Munster Division 2 League, semi finalists Irish Junior Cup
Division 3 3rd Munster Division 3 League. Munster Division 3 Cup final next weekend
Division 5 promoted to Division 4

In other news UCC Ladies Hockey Club and UCC Men’s Hockey Club are now one club and will come under the banner UCC Hockey. This was ratified by the UCC Clubs Executive recently. It follows other sports such as Rugby and GAA, who also operate as one club across male and female.

Division 5 Team