This year the school had five hockey teams a senior team, junior team, minor team and two first year teams. Coaches this year were Ms. Briody, Mr. Brogan, Ms. Howard, Ms. Dancy and past pupil Vivienne Garry helped assisted occasionally. Training took place on Mondays at lunch time and Wednesday and Thursday after school.
FIRST YEAR HOCKEY
This year we had two first year hockey teams playing in the Leinster School B and C girls 8-a-side league. The B team had a difficult start to the league, losing to Notre Dame, but recovered well to attain two convincing wins; they beat St. Dominic's Cabra and Holy Faith Clontarf. Unfortunately, their following matches proved more difficult and despite brave performances they lost their final two matches to strong Sion Hill and Loreto Bray teams.
The C team began the season with four consecutive wins against St. Raphaela's, St. Joseph's of Cluny, St. Dominic's Cabra and Holy Faith Clontarf. Despite a good second half performance they lost their final last match against Domincan Wicklow.
Well done to the girls for their efforts and commitment during the school year. Meadbh Gallagher and Hannah Coy participated in the first year Leinster development coaching in Dublin. We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Meadbh Gallagher who was voted the first year sportsperson of the year. Meadbh was a very dedicated player this year and a key player on both first year teams.
Minor
They competed in the Leinster Minor 3 League. The girls won all of their group matches to finish in first place which resulted in them progressing to the quarter final of the competition. In the group stages of the competition we played, Mount Anville, Teresian, St. Raphaelas, Rathdown and Santa Sabina. The girls played Dundalk Grammar School in the quarter final. It became clear as soon as the match began that this was going to the most difficult game the girls had played. The girls played very well and the game finished 1-1. The game remained all square following two five minute periods of extra time. The protocol then called for one versus one shuttles involving an attacker and the keeper. Unfortunately the girls lost at this 3-2. It was a heart-breaking way to exit the competition but it shows promise for next year as all players’ skill and playing ability improved from the start to the end of the season. Dundalk Grammar progressed on to win the league. We would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Eilis Kenny who was selected to participate in the development coaching sessions for Leinster second year school girls. Eilis travelled to Dublin throughout the year for the training sessions. We would also like to commend Ciara Friel who was 2nd yr sports person of the year. Ciara took up hockey for the first time this year and quickly became a vital part of the team.
Junior
The Junior hockey team played Loreto Navan, Glasnevin, Jesus and Mary College and St. Gerard’s. They played their last group match against Tullamore in early January. Despite going 2 goals down early on, the girls fought back and the match ended 3-3. With a win against Loreto Navan and two defeats in the group, the Junior team unfortunately did not progress beyond the group stages of the competition. We wish all of the third years the best in their exams and look forward to seeing them and the transition years from our squad as senior hockey players next year.
Senior
The senior team trained on Wednesday after school and played in the Leinster Senior 3 League. The girls really enjoyed the season. The team was made up of students from transition year, fifth year and sixth year. The students in fifth and sixth year found the break and fun of hockey of great help to their studies. Ms. Briody coached the senior team this year and said the girls were a pleasure to work with and she really enjoyed the hockey they played. The girls played some wonderful hockey but unfortunately they did not progress out of their group as they had a mixture of results. The girls played the following schools, St. Andrew’ College, St. Joseph’s Cluny, Mount Anville, St. Columbas and Skerries. We would like to take this opportunity to wish the sixth years all the best in the future and we hope that they will continue to play hockey. The hockey player of the year was presented to senior Tara Cagney in recognition for her commitment, hard work, sportsmanship and ability to spur on and rally her team.
Coaching
Twelve transition year students took part in a two day hockey coaching course run by the Irish Hockey association, these students have been of great assistance to the hockey department with coaching and umpiring.
Transition Year Sports Star of the Year
Well done to Grace McEntegart who was named Transition Year Sports Person of the Year. Grace is a committed hockey player and was a vital part of this year’s Junior Hockey team
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