Hook Hockey

Triple joy for Premier queens Alex

Senior Premier League final
Alexandra College 2 (Anna Roopnarinesigh, Hannah McDermott) St Andrew’s 0
Alexandra College made history yesterday at Grange Road as they completed the first ever retention of both Leinster Premier League and Senior Cup schoolgirl’s titles.

Strikes from Anna Roopnarinesingh and Hannah McDermott – one in each half – proved the difference to complete a 100 percent season in the province, a fine record to take into next week’s Kate Russell All-Ireland championship in Ballyclare.

Their defensive rigidity, once again, was the bedrock as Millie O’Donnell excelled at sweeper in the face of Sophie Marshall’s spirited St Andrew’s outfit.

They probed and tested Alex more than any other side this term but the difference in clinical nature up front separated the sides. From an Alex counter, Emily Beatty strode forward to draw the last defender before slipping to Roopnarinesingh who delightfully beat two players before slipping home a fine individual goal.

And Beatty was again the creator in the closing stages for the killer goal, finding McDermott at the back post after Rachel Gray’s initial smack forward.

They now face the other four provincial champions in the All-Ireland including Kilkenny College, Ballyclare HS, Colaiste Iognaid and Bandon GS.

Junior A Cup
Alexandra College 1 Wesley 1, Alexandra win on penalties
Alexandra College added to their incredible year at senior level by annexing the Junior A Cup after a thrilling sudden death penalties win over Wesley.

Anna Roopnarinesingh put the Milltown school in front with an incredible solo effort, starting inside her own 25, ghosting around a number of players before smashing in from the top of the circle.

Wesley responded, going close twice through Sara Quill but Namthip Winter-Collier saved both well to maintain the half-time lead. It was one they held right up until the final minute of normal time when Wesley nabbed a great counter-goal, firing the ball forward from right back up to the centre-forward to push home.

Extra-time saw chances limited, leading to a penalty shoot-out from which Wesley took the early initiative and led until round four but Sophie Gleeson tied up matters in the final series.

Hannah Bloom-Teskey – swapping into the goalkeeping duties for the shoot-out – saved the last Wesley penalty and again in the first round of suddent death, meaning Rachel Gray’s smashed effort won the day for Alex.

Senior 2 Final
Alexandra College 2 (Lauren Power 2) Mt Anville 0
Lauren Power’s double handed Alexandra the Senior 2 league title to go with the Premier League title they took on Thursday afternoon.

They started this final strongly, pinning Mount Anville back for the first 14 minutes but only won one short corner and shot wide twice in that time. A change of tactics saw the Goatstown school switch to a more direct approach and it created more pressure and plenty more circle entries but clear sights on goal were not forthcoming.

Power, though, opened the scoring as she profited from Jenny Mulvin at right-midfield, a constant source of danger, especially from quickly taken frees.

Alex continued to push on in the second half but Mount Anville were buoyed by the hope of emulating the 1-1 draw obtained earlier in the league campaign.

But their dreams looked to be ended when Power nabbed her second goal from a move which started in Alex’s defensive 25 as Anna O’Carrol passed the ball forward through the sticks of six players before Louise McPhillips was released. She laid on for Power to tap in.