Hook Hockey

Trinity College – Women’s Division One

Last Season: Seventh, Division One

Coach: Scott Beattie (1^st season)

Players In: Vera Taaffe (Old Alex), Aisling Bourke (Hermes), Sarah Gray (Bandon), Nicola Taylor (Clontarf), Laura Stephens (St Andrews), Alex Spain (St Andrews), Irene Gorman (Erasmus)
Players Out: Alice Ward (Virginia, USA – Erasmus), Caroline Murphy (travelling), Lucy Small (Glenanne), Katie Grehan

Summary: After a number years under David Bane’s moulding, Scott Beattie offers a fresh perspective to a side that has increased their competitiveness in recent years. There is a large St Andrew’s flavour to their latest batch with Vera Taaffe – the SCT captain of 2011 – the pick of the bunch.

Laura Stephens is a combative full-back who could grow into the side while other additions include Alex Spain and Mount Temple tyro Nicola Taylor. Caroline Murphy’s intention to work a ski season once she finishes her law exams mean they are shy one of their power players but Maebh Horan has Leinster quality and sister Eanna found a scoring touch toward the end of last term which has regularly been the side’s Achilles Heel.

Sarah Gray, pursuing a masters, adds plenty of ability having played for Munsters junior as well as being part of the province’s U-21s prior to a couple of lengthy injuries. Working from a 20-plus panel has seen Kylie Deverell bang in the goals in preseason, especially in a 6-1 success against Cork C of I. Closing the gap on the top five is the priority for the students.

Early season fixtures:
First Leinster league games: Oct 1 vs Pembroke (a); Oct 2 vs UCD (a); Oct 22 vs Old Alex (a)
Irish Senior Cup: Oct 8 vs Ards (a)

Twitter: @DULHC