The second year hockey team beat old rivals Taylor’s Hill, Galway in the semi final of the Lupton Cup in a close fought match in Galway on Tuesday, 28 March. The Bower girls were on fire for the first twenty minutes of the game, putting serious pressure on Taylors defence. Shortly after play began a pass from a cool Anna Donavan, through talented Lauren Gallagher, into Ella Meares who took the shot, was deflected by the goalie.
Then Kate Faller dribbled the ball from the half way to the 25 metre line passing to roadrunner Rebecca Lowe ( who must have run 15k throughout the whole match) who again was unfortunate not to score. On the 16th minute the Bower attack eventually broke down Taylor’s defence – a pass from Kate Faller on to Rebecca found a waiting Lauren Gallagher who slotted the ball past the Taylor’s goalie to put the Westmeath girls in the lead.
The second half was a completely different game where Taylor’s seemed to dominate, putting pressure on the Bower defence. Ellen Flaherty, Emily Ruane and Gracie Loftus were unreal in the way they controlled and dealt with every move by the opposition. Despite the pressure, star goalie Rebecca Collins only had to make one crucial save just minutes before the final whistle. Orla Cuffe, Emmanuelle Besler and Ivana Devery were also great on the day as was Katie Gough who was sick, but in all it was a superb team effort. The Bower team now has to wait to see who they play in the final.
Squad: Rebecca Collins, Ellen Flaherty, Emily Ruane, Gracie Loftus, Rebecca Lowe, Kate Faller, Anna Donavan, Lauren Gallagher, Aine Gallagher, Ella Meares, Marion Nolan, Ivana Devery, Orla Cuffe, Emmanuelle Besler, and Katie Gough.