UCC Hockey Update 27/03/24

27 Mar 2024

Last Thursday the W1sts played their rescheduled EYHL2 game against NUIG at the Mardyke. The original game played on the 9th March was abandoned after 5 minutes when an NUIG player fell to the ground after a head injury. She thankfully has made a good recovery.

A draw or a win would ensure a semi final place in the EYHL2 play offs. UCC didn't get on the score sheet until Q2 with goals from Jenny McLaughlin and Julia McCarthy. It was a competitive game against the Galway side. Nikki Barry scored the third goal for UCC in the final quarter. Semi final place finally confirmed.

The playoffs will take place in Garryduff on the 20th/21st April. UCC await to see their opposition but a semi final win will ensure promotion to EYHL Division 1.

The W1sts returned to the Munster League with a very one sided game against visitors Waterford last Saturday. FT 9-0 to the students.

It was a weekend off for the Div 5 side who have one game left in the Munster League and wait patiently to see if automatic promotion or a playoff game is on the cards. It all depends on the outcome of the EYHL !

Div 3 played in Bandon on Sunday morning in the Munster Div 3 League. Wearing their white away strip, the students wasted no time and scored 3 goals in the first quarter. Goals came from Niamh Casey, Kirsten Browne, Laura Barr 2, Claire Jermyn 2 and Sarah Bryce with a FT scoreline 0-7.

With two games left, there is a possible 3rd place finish for the students and a play off chance of promotion to Division 2 ! The team also look forward to their Munster Cup final against C of I at the end of April.

The Division 2 side played Ashton in their Munster Cup semi final on Sunday in the Mardyke. It was heartbreak for the UCC side losing 2-3 with Ashton scoring their 3rd goal minutes to go.

The first quarter was very scrappy from both sides. Ashton scored first in the 2nd quarter through a short corner drag flick and this proved to be their deadly weapon throughout. It was a poor start for the students who have proved themselves to be a good side this season with a semi final placing in the Irish Junior Cup this year. UCC played a much better 2nd half. Sophia O Shea got one back in the 3rd quarter but another drag flick from Ashton put them ahead again. Q3 1-2. A determined UCC side continued to attack and another goal from Sophia O Shea was the equaliser in Q4. It was looking like shuttles might be the outcome but with a couple of minutes to go Ashton were awarded a corner. Another drag flick into the net and game over. 2-3 FT.

The Division 2 side will finish 2nd in the Munster League and a semi final place in the Irish Junior Cup and Munster Div 2 Cup. The Division 2 side have worked really hard this year and performed well. It seems hardly fair that there will be no silverware for this team this season. :(

To finish on a high note, our Club Captain Rhona Lennox received a Bene Merenti award at the Clubs and Socs Ball last week and was awarded the Clubperson of the Year. Rhona has been a great Club Captain and as a member of the Clubs Exec she has done Trojan work over the year. Well done Rhona.