Hook Hockey

Alex annex first ever Kate Russell title

Alexandra College completed a perfect season yesterday in Ballyclare to claim their first ever Kate Russell All-Ireland Schoolgirl’s Championships with victories over Bandon GS and Colaiste Iognaid.

There was to be no repeat of last year’s heartache, missing out on the title on goal difference, as a thumping 4-0 win over Bandon added to day one victories over Kilkenny College and the Ballyclare HS hosts.

Erika Hinkson started day two with a reverse-sweep in the seventh minute to put Alex on course against the Munster champions. Millie O’Donnell doubled up in the 15th minute from a slipped left corner move.

Anna Roopnarinesingh and Emily Beatty added two more goals early in the second half to close out the third leg of their charge.

Ballyclare’s tight 2-0 win over Colaiste Iognaid – Rebecca Quinn and Tori Wallace on the mark – kept their interest in the competition alive. Kilkenny College subsequently notched their second win with a 3-1 victory over Bandon.

It meant just a draw would do against 2009 winners Colaiste Iognaid but a stunning first half had them well on their way, Hinkson (pictured with the trophy), Emily Beatty and Joanna Turley building a 3-0 lead by the interval.

There were warning signs, Amy Ryan doing well to take one off the line before the Jes responded with efforts from Carey sisters Michelle and Elaine but Hannah McDermott’s rebound 16 minutes from the end sealed the deal though the Galway side got a late consolation for 4-3.

It meant Miles Warren’s side ended the year with an unblemished record of 16 wins from 16 games, annexing both the Leinster Senior Cup and Premier League in the process.

Hosts Ballyclare won the battle for second place with a 3-1 success over Kilkenny who took third, Jessica West and Amy Jones getting second half goals after the first period had ended 1-1.

** Photo courtesy of Rowland White/PressEye

Player of the tournament: Amy Cooke, Ballyclare HS
Goalkeeper of the tournament: Sophie Tyner, Kilkenny College

Kate Russell All-Ireland Schoolgirl results: Alexandra College 4 (E Hinkson, M O’Donnell, A Roopnarinesigh, E Beatty) Bandon GS 0; Ballyclare 2 (R Quinn, T Wallace) Colaiste Iognaid 0; Bandon GS 1 (L Capithorne) Kilkenny College 3 (J Claxton, A Haslam, E Duncan); Alexandra College 4 (E Hinkson, E Beatty, J Turley, H McDermott) Colaiste Iognaid 3 (M Carey, E Carey, A Dunne); Ballyclare 3 (J West, A Jones) Kilkenny College 1 (A Haslam)

Final standings: 1. Alexandra College 12pts (+10) 2. Ballyclare HS 9pts (+8) 3. Kilkenny College 6pts (-1) 4. Colaiste Iognaid 3pts (-2) 5. Bandon GS 0pts (-15)