Wednesday, April 29, 2009

UCD miss out on IHL shot

UCD 1 (Holly Jenkinson) Hermes 1 (Jenny Burke)

Jenny Burke's 67th minute short corner strike put paid to UCD's chances of playing in the 2009/10 Irish Hockey League at Belfield tonight as they were denied the win they needed to leapfrog Old Alex.

Holly Jenkinson's (pictured) superb corner hit had put College on course for the points 13 minutes from the end at the game's first penalty corner end. But Hermes forced four late set-pieces before Burke scored from the last one, completing an intricate move.

The students did have the ball in the net once more with 25 seconds remaining but the whistle was blown for a free-out just moments before Rosie Carrigan pushed in a rebound.

It means UCD finish sixth in the table and, despite their cup heroics, will not be in Irish hockey's major event next year. It makes for some difficult decisions for the club's top players whose studies may be coming to an end - the carrot of Europe counter-balanced by IHL dreams.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

thats crazy would you rather play at a europeans or play four extra matches in the Ihl!?! of course the players are going to stay.

Anonymous said...

If I was in UCD, I would stay, one season not playing IHL is not the end of the world but a trip to Europe is fantasic, they are a young squad and will be back in the IHL the following year, well done college on the ISC

Anonymous said...

the IHL is 5 extra matches which you play (next season with the same rules as the league) to try to get into the semi finals and final and qualify for Europe.... UCD are already in Europe

Anonymous said...

is ucd an open club?

Anonymous said...

Yes it is an open club, once you have ever held a student card in ucd you can play for as long as you like. Then men's is not, you only have one year of grace after your studies.

Anonymous said...

Holly you ledge

Anonymous said...

europeans? of course their staying!

Anonymous said...

Speaking as an ex-student and UCD player, unfortunately the students will not be able to base their decision to stay next year solely on them going to play in Europe in pre-season. It is a different schedule for UCD and Trinity compared to senior clubs and with work and other commitments it is often not possible to play university hockey unless you are still studying. Hopefully some of them will be able to.

Anonymous said...

C-O-L-L-I-D-G-E your all legends

Anonymous said...

Re the comment at 10:44am, the UCD men's club is not open you're right but the period for how long you can stay is hazy, "recent graduate" is the term and it's generally accepted as being 2 years maximum.

Didn't know the girls club was open!

Anonymous said...

There is also extra pressure playing for a college team as the current players also run the club, there is not the depth of former players who do a lot of the organising, fundraising and donkey work. This is particularly apparent in the IHL matches when there are extra commitments. So well done girls for all the hard work and for giving your supporters some great days out! Here to Europe - hope its somewhere nice!!

Anonymous said...

For UCD clubs "recent" means 1 year unless the college sports department says otherwise. Certain clubs are allowed keep graduates for longer and some such as the soccer club can have complete outsiders.
As both clubs start training at 6 it is not very practical to play unless you are in ucd or work very nearby.

Anonymous said...

EUROS....if their in the country and can play for ucd they will!!!