News

Interprovincial Report

November 8, 2018

The Connacht Girls U18 hockey squad travelled to Dublin last weekend, to compete in the U18 Interprovincial Tournament.  Last year, the title was decided on goal-difference, & Connacht were unlucky to lose out to Ulster, on a goal-difference of just one.  So this year, hopes were high of clinching the title for once & for all.
This two-day event is physically challenging for all players, & by the end of day-one, the Connacht squad had beaten South East & lost to Leinster.  A win against Ulster was required the following day.  The players dug deep, & gave a fine display of hockey, in what was declared the most exciting match of the tournament.  Unfortunately, they conceeded a goal late in the second half, followed by a second goal minutes before the final whistle.
 
With one match left against Munster, & knowing that the trophy was no longer theirs, the Connacht girls were determined to come away with 2nd place.  In another fine display of hockey, despite cramping muscles & tired legs, they got the result, & a placing of second in the Tournament.  Ulster went on to claim the title for another year.
Coach Richie Malone, though disappointed for his hard-working, dedicated squad, conceeded that the best team won. 

The U16 Tournament was held in tandem with the U18 tournament, at the same venue, & this made for a fantastic atmosphere around the hockey grounds of Three Rock Rovers.  Coach Deirdre McDermott had quite a young squad, with 13 new caps. The squad performed superbly on day-one, yielding a draw against Leinster, & a win against South East.  Tougher matches were in store the following day, & though they suffered two defeats against Ulster & Munster, the squad performed bravely.  They finished the tournament in fourth place, ahead of South East.  Ulster, yet again, took the title.

Connacht President Theresa Concannon was on-hand to present the new caps, & lavished praise on these two great squads.

Congratulations to all ten Greenfields members involved in the Interpros.

At U18: Alison Ryan, Ciara Treacy, Dora Gorman & Katie Codyre
At U16: Niamh Callanan, Aisling Dunne, Ailbhe Finnerty, Clodagh kennedy, Grace O’Donnell & Ciara Power.