Colaiste Iognaid 3 (Katie Codyre, Elaine Carey, Isabelle Mortimer) Foyle and Londonderry 2 (Megan Frazer, Olivia Jones)
Colaiste Iognaid became just the second Connacht winners of the Kate Russell Cup as Isabelle Mortimer found the backboard four minutes into golden goal extra-time to break the hearts of Foyle and Londonderry.
In doing so, they emulated the triumph in 1988 of Galway’s Taylor’s Hill and continue the resurgence of hockey in the Western province.
In a thrilling battle, Mortimer pounced on a stray ball on the flick spot to scramble past Holly Lynch and spark wild celebrations from the large visiting contingent to Grange Road.
In truth, Jesuits did it the hard way. Despite showing the more fluid hockey, Foyle stung the Galway girls in the 27th minute when the tournament’s outstanding player, Megan Frazer, produced a virtuoso turn from a corner to place her shot past Emilie Molloy.
It was a truly unique corner. The stick-stopper dummied a reverse stop, took it on her open and pulled under her arm to Frazer who swiveled past two and slapped into the corner.
The Foyle midfielder was later named player of the tournament in her last school’s appearance before she takes up a sports scholarship in the US, most likely to be in Maryland in the autumn of 2009
Prior to that, Frazer and Brenda Flannery were enjoying a high quality tussle in midfield, both showing top quality skills. Lynsey Trainor down the right was also making good use of her tricks and won a corner from which Tara Melvin struck just wide.
The score stayed in the Ulster school’s favour deep into the second half until Irish under-18 panellist Katie Codyre slammed home from around the flick spot following a direct long corner.
And with four minutes remaining, Jesuits thought they had the game won when 14-year-old Elaine Carey slap
ped in a back-post effort after Lynsey Trainor burst down the right channel.
ped in a back-post effort after Lynsey Trainor burst down the right channel.But, in a stunning endgame, Foyle bounced back immediately as Olivia Jones’corner took a wicked ricochet into the roof of the net to force extra-time.
Iognaid were not to be denied and Mortimer duly helped her side take the win their progressive attitude deserved. It led to an eventful journey with word reaching The Hook this evening that the Colaiste Iognaid bus received a garda escort on its way back to Galway.
8 comments:
This really shows the growing prominence of galway in girls hockey building on the connacht u16s success of last year.
They may not have the facilities - all the galway clubs(4) and schools(3) use the one sand based pitch which is also used for hurling and soccer training,
but there is certainly a lot of talent in the west.
It was Dec 07 when the U16s won the interpros, and where did the U16s or U18s finish this year? come on, lets not reward flash in the pan success.
Pretty harsh comment there. Connacht won their first underage interpro through good coaching and a strong development plan.
The province seems to be progressing which can only be good for the Irish game. why have a go at them? these are good results for Irish hockey in general.
Leinster man
I think describing connacht interpro success as flash in the pan lacks the understanding of what it takes to win an interpro. Winning an interprovincial is extremely hard, and it requires excellent preperation, good coaching and it cannot be won without a very good squad of players. In order to beat the likes of Ulster and Leinster, Connacht would have been punching well above their weight in terms of participation levels at the u16 age group compared to those in Leinster and Ulster. From a neutral standpoint and from previous involvement in interpros, Connacht could not have won by being good just that weekend. Their talent is evident and is becoming more and more prominent, the Kate Russell success being one signpost and I believe they were pipped on goal difference in this years u18 interpros. A tribute to all involved in player development over there.
I DONT KNOW WHY YOU THINK CONNACHT ARE SO BAD BECAUSE FOR THE LAST NUMBER OF YEARS THEY HAVE BEEN UP THERE WITH THE LEINSTER AND ULSTER TEAMS. AND THIS YEAR THE U18S LOST BECAUSE OF GOAL DIFFERENCE ONLY. THAT WAS PRACTICALLY THE SAME U16 TEAM FROM THE YEAR BEFORE. IN ADDITION, LOOK AT THE NATIONAL TEAMS AT UNDER AGE LEVEL AND NOTE THE NUMBER OF CONNACHT PLAYERS REPRESENTING IRELAND. THIS IS NO FLASH IN THE PAN - AND ANYWAY WHY ALL THE NEGATIVITY? JUST CELEBRATE IT!
It is obvious that 11.49 March 22nd hasn't watched the underage interpros in recent years. Connacht have been steadily improving year on year for 5/6 years now and their technical skills were certainly the best on show at the under 18 interpros this year. Congrats on the win girls. Well done to all involved.
As I have watched this group of girls progress at school level, club level and interpro level, I have to admire their spirit and determination to succeed.They came , they went and they conquered !! It is hard to believe that everybody trains on the one all weather pitch which is not water based. It is about time that the west were awarded some funds for improving their facilities. This would give them a chance to have more development and perhaps even more success at the next age level.I cant wait to see the final match which will be on Setanta tomorrow evening. This team were on fire and played their hockey with tremendous skill. Well done to "The Jes" their coaches and all that were involved.
connaught are brilliant. hats off to you all, beating both ulster and Leinster teams. ye are at a huge disadvantage with pitches etc but recently ye've proved to be outstanding, putting all of your disadvantages aside. Leinster and ulster players have scouts and Irish coaches at many of their matches, getting a huge edge over players from the west yet still, the huge talents of the west shine through, and they manage to claim well deserved spots on Irish teams.god bless you're coaches!
a huge well done on your achievements
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