Hook Hockey

Alex in pole Kate Russell position

Kate Russell Cup – day one round-up
Alexandra College put themselves in a great position to win their first ever Kate Russell All-Ireland senior schoolgirl’s title as they were the only side to record two wins from the opening day of competition, potentially becoming just the second Leinster side in 12 years to win the coveted crown.

They started with an excellent 3-0 win over hosts Ballyclare HS. They went ahead fairly quickly with a clean strike from a short corner by Amber Gleeson.

The second came from a reverse sweep from Erika Hinkson before a solo run by Hannah McDermott up the right and cross into the circle saw Anna Roopnarinesingh complete the win despite a Ballyclare comeback – with Chloe Wilson to the fore – but plenty of pressure could not be transformed into goals as Leigh Porter made some important saves.

Leinster double winners continued their 100pc season in probably the game of the day as they slipped past the challenge of Kilkenny College 2-0. Porter was again busy early on, saving brilliantly inside 75 seconds while the cats also struck the post in the ninth minute.

In response, Emily Beatty also found the woodwork but the crucial moment came in the second when Hannah McDermott deflected home a left-wing cross. The striker turned provider for Roopnarinesingh from the right flank to complete a big win. The pair of wins meant Alex are in sterling shape to claim the title as all their opponents have a loss to their name.

In game two, Colaiste Iognaid got the better of Bandon GS 3-1. The win was built on a pair of goals within five minutes midway through the second half from Ingrid Murphy which pushed the Galway girls clear. Sarah Sullivan pulled one back with seven minutes to go but the Jes – winners in 2009 – closed out the tie with Aoife Codyre on the mark

But the Galway girls were undone by Kilkenny 2-1. Again, all the goals came in the second half as Margaret Byrne rebounded a corner and then tipped in from a right-wing square ball. Michelle Carey pulled one back from a corner but, with only four minutes left, there was not enough time to grab a leveller. In the day’s most one-sided game, youth international Amy Cooke netted a hat-trick in Ballyclare’s 7-0 win over Bandon.

Results: Alexandra College 3 (Amber Gleeson, Erika Hinkson, Anna Roopnarinesingh) Ballyclare HS 0; Colaiste Iognaid 3 (Ingrid Murphy 2, Aoife Codyre) Bandon GS 1 (Sarah Sullivan); Alexandra College 2 (Hannah McDermott, Anna Roopnarinesingh) Kilkenny College 0; Ballyclare HS 7 (Amy Cooke 3, Amy Jones 2, Victoria White, Rebecca Quinn) Bandon GS 0; Kilkenny College 2 (Margaret Byrne 2) 2 Colaiste Iognaid 1 (Michelle Carey)

Standings: 1. Alexandra College 6pts (+5) 2. Ballyclare 3pts (+4) 3. Colaiste Iognaid 3pts (+1) 4. Kilkenny College 3pts (-1) 5. Bandon GS 0pts (-9)