There was great excitement and optimism as the Junior OLB hockey side travelled to Sligo on Dec 1st. The girls had performed extremely well in the qualifying rounds, but all four teams left standing in this year’s Ward Cup had quality throughout their squads. They faced Sligo Grammar in the morning’s semi-final. Grammar had huge home support, but this did not deter the Bower girls from securing a 3-0 win to see them through to the afternoon’s final to face Seamount College, Kinvara. Having seen the Seamount side in their semi-final, the Bower knew they would have to be on top form.
It was end-to-end stuff right from the first whistle. Seamount are a well organised and talented team. Hannah Heneghan provided the first opportunity on goal as she fired the ball in from a short corner, causing a goal area scramble, but it was defended well.
The Bower defence restricted the attacking power of Seamount to just 2 opportunities during 1st half play, but
Seamount were still very dangerous. Just before half-time Kate Stuart Trainor went on a great run, playing the ball forward to Jayne Meares, who was unlucky not to get it over the line.
There was a couple of short corners from both teams, but the defenders won these encounters effectively.
The team-talk by the coach, Gudgie Moran, was positive and precise. With news of the continued support coming through from everyone back at school, the team started the second half with even more drive. The talk on the side-line was the importance of scoring first as the two teams were so similar. This was emphasised as Seamount put our defenders under considerable pressure.
Jessica Collins and Jenny Paul were reintroduced to try to create some more opportunities and break the dead-lock, as they had done in the semi-final.
Fortunately, the quality of the Bower side was about to be seen in action. Kate Stuart Trainor received the ball, made a great pass to Aoife Purtill, who in a tight angle managed to strike the ball into the corner of the goal.
Seamount were on the attack once again, but the defence were all calm under pressure. Hannah Heneghan, Kirsty Colsh, Alison Nugent, Roisin Nally and Riona Cunningham were all solid and impressive throughout.
Kate Stuart Trainor made a great break, running three quarters of the pitch to expertly place the ball in the Seamount goal.
This was a fitting finish after such hard-work and dedication by every player and coach, Gudgie Moran since the season began. Congratulations to all.
Team: Riona Cunningham, Kirsty Colsh, Alison Nugent, Faye Loftus, Lucy Sheffield, Róisín Nally, Jenny Paul, Aoife Purtill, Kate Stuart Trainor, Ayla Kurt-Elli, Jessica Collins, Maria Flynn, Jayne Meares, Hannah Heneghan, Moya McKiernan, Niamh Morris, Orla Doolan, Jillian Begley, Mia Daly, Lisa Seery, Lucy Gough