Ballymoney V Ulster Elks

‘Money have been waiting for this since October, due to the bout of bad weather but the moment finally came… and we were ready!
Right from the word go, we were on top of them, nearly scoring in the first minute. Everything fell money’s way and it was 2-0 at the break. Comfortably.
The second half was ever so slightly more open but even still, we were on top. We conceded only one corner to them and it was easily charged down by our first runner. Unfortunately money weren’t able to score again in the second half, but not for lack of trying!
4 or 5-0 could have still reflected the game fairly.
Hopefully we can continue this form into next week when we play Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

J

Irish Senior Cup Semi Final – Ballymoney v Hermes

We travelled down the night before to give ourselves the best possible chance for this game. Having meet at Casa Pasta and had some dinner we headed back to the hotel and partook in the past time I always find myself doing on a hockey trip… watching Take Me Out.

We then settled to sleep ready for the big day. Hermes have won the Leinster league and we are in the top two in an Ulster league that will go down to the wire. It wouldn’t be easy.

We started off well, with the first half being fairly evenly contended. A pivotal moment was when a Hermes player (and my former Irish u18 Captain) broke into the circle and tried to take it round me, I put the tackle in with my helmet coming off in the process, I got the ball.. then the player, then one of she took one of our girls with her and the umpires whistle blew… penalty stroke. I had decided in my head “commit right” and I did with the taker slotting it in to my left.

1-0

The first half ended with little other action.

We came out fighting in the second half but unfortunately things just didn’t seem to fall our way and our usual passing game struggled to show. Hermes killed the game with 15 to go with a mishap in the circle falling to free Hermes player who picked her mark and made no mistake.

We fought well but it was not to be.

We will just have to concentrate on making sure of our Ulster double!

J

20th-25th April

A not too early start for me to get down to Dublin airport last wednesday. I met up with the girls and everything was going smoothly. We were hitting Holland on tour as we had done last year and it had been very beneficial, we were hoping for the same effect. We were going to play 5 matches as well as training a couple of times a day.

Training composed of some specific goalkeeping stuff with specialist coaches from both Argentina, Holland and our own Irish coach, and a lot of running penalty corners both defensive and attacking.

We got there and got some food (bread rolls and salad were the main things on the menu for the time there… we all thought we would turn into a bread roll!). As we had 4 keepers with us, I didn’t play all the games, I played 2 matches for the U18s and 1 game for the opposition side who had no keeper.

For the first match we were playing a regional side, I was training but we won 5-1. The second game we were playing the club (Almeerse HC) that were based at ladies 1sts, I played around 55 minutes then was switched (because that’s the way we were doing it) We won 4-2. The next game I was training again but caught the second half. To say the least we both scored and conceded a lot of goals, and won 5-4 but for some reason the SCHC coach thought we were too physical and stopped the game early. The next match we were playing the Almeerse U18s and i was playing for the Almeerse team. I think the girls were slightly complacent because we had beaten the ladies team, but I played very well and we drew 2-2.

The last game I was the Captain. We played Crayenhaut HC U18 and it was a very tight game with us scoring first then conceding 3 quick goals. By half time however we had brought it back to 3-3. We finished the game 5-4, I was taken off with 10 to go and they scored the winner then (4-4 when I came off).

Our coach was pleased with our performance but we have things to work on such as fitness, defensive penalty corners and a lot of defending in general. We have until July so here goes!

J

It was all down to last night, we had to win, a draw wasn’t enough this time. Ballymoney played Armagh in the last premier league fixture of the year away to Armagh. The squad was back to full strength (bar our football professional in Iceland). We weren’t going to let Armagh steal our thunder now. It’s been 13 years the Pegasus have won the League on the trot… noone had come close before, now was our chance!

The first half was average, with no forward outlet you would have thought we were playing for the draw. With two chances early on with a circle penetration and a penalty corner missed, the matche settled into a midfield battle. Armagh won some corners themselves and threatened but up to then it was fairly even.

After a stern team talk Money came into the second with still a few gears to jump, we hadn’t even started. Unfortunatley we still didn’t start until 9 minutes when Armagh scored a superb reverse from a quick free. This was the kick Ballymoney needed and replied through Irish u18 Katie Mullan, with superb passing from the right and the middle Katie ran the ball in and could have walked it over the line. With 10 minutes to go Ballymoney were on top, but Armagh were doing what they do best and breaking down the centre, still winning corners however Ballymoney were replying with superb defence and attacking corners of their own. And it was from one of these that the breakthrough happened. After the initial save Katie Mullan came in from the top and calmy flicked it in just above backboard! 2-1. Armagh finished strongly still winning the occassional corner but Money held firm and there was great relief and delight to hear the final whistle! Armagh definately didn’t give us the game and we’re glad we won it well.

Saturday is our end of year formal. Let the Celebrations begin!

J