Hook Hockey

Loreto IIs bounce back in division two style

Loreto II bounced back in some style this season as Wendy Byrne’s double in their 2-0 win over UCD saw the club claim division two, what they hope will be the first half of a first ever IJC and league double for the club.

It proved a major turnaround as the side diced with relegation just a year earlier. With Suzanne Elliott (pictured with Wendy Byrne) reinstalled to the coaching role after a year out, however, they returned to the top table having finished second and third in her two prior seasons at the helm.

On the back of the 2011 scare, the team decided it was imperative to lessen the gap between the first and second teams, with pre-season preparation seen as the key.

Five preseason ties helped to see the side hit the ground running, facing into a potentially huge opening tie with Railway Union which was won 3-2. It set the tone for the season, running up 15 wins and scoring 47 goals.

Top spot was confirmed on March 26 with coach Elliott was delighted with the outcome: “We play a very attacking formation and like to move the ball quickly. We are lucky in that we have a number of players both midfield and forwards who can score goals from open play as can be seen by our results to date.”

She adds that the collective always takes precedent over the individual as the side endeavours to blend a range of ages.

“We have a very balanced team; our focus is on the word ‘team’. We focus not what you as an individual can achieve, it’s what you can do to contribute to the team. There is a mixture of ex-firsts stalwarts – who like to be known as “the Dino’s” – namely Sarah Scott, Steph Hall, Sarah O’Meara, Linda Jenkinson, Mary Harkin, Caitriona Tipping, and Wendy Byrne who combine with the up and coming Phoebe Lyons, Carly Baker, Hayley Mulcahy, Deirdre Fallon and Jessica McGirr.

“I place huge emphasis on my player’s work-rate when they are on the pitch and my mantra is always: ‘I have no problem with mistakes as long are they are made trying to do the right thing’…coupled with the work you put in after the mistake is key”

They aim to complete a league and Irish Junior Cup double on Sunday when they meet Pembroke at Belfield (1.15pm), a double never completed in the Beaufort club’s history. The game will be preluded by a “Sumo Fight” between club members of Pembroke and Loreto at 12.50pm at Belfield!

** If you would like to see a round-up of our team or club’s season on the site, feel free to drop me a line at hookresults@yahoo.com