Hook Hockey

YMCA ladies produce double-promotion year

YMCA ladies continued their remarkable rise through the divisions as they will next season take on division three despite only forming in 2005.

Initially founded by a group of friends, the club drew players of varying skill and fitness levels, some of whom played hockey with YM at youth level while others had family and friends involved in the men’s club.

From the outset the premise of the YM Ladies was to get fit, have a laugh and generally enjoy the sport and being part of the Sandymount club, starting off in division 13 and winning promotion each season as well as winning a couple of Leinster and Irish Cups en route.

With interested piqued, the introduction of the second team in 2007 has borne similar fruit, doing enough to rise three divisions in that time.

And while the 2011/12 season proved something of a reality check for the first team, both sides ended with a promotion position to continue the rapid rise.

For the first team, there was a noticeable step up in standard in division four, facing stronger, more organised, fit and skillful players than before.

With a decent run up to Christmas, however, they carried a narrow lead into the Christmas break The New Year proved a different story though, suffering a series of defeats to well deserving sides such as Rathgar Ladies and Swords.

Having lost just one league match in their history prior to the season, confidence plummeted and, following the break for Olympic Qualifiers in mid-March, the team found themselves no longer in charge of their own destiny with promotion dreams looking perilous. 

Glenanne II were proving a strong, consistent side and unlikely to fall from the coveted first spot, leaving the battle for second to go down to the final day of the campaign with Suttonians snapping at their heels.

But a 1-0 away win at Clontarf, coupled with Sutton’s 2-2 draw with Old Alex, saw YM edge over the line and claim a place in division three.

The seconds, meanwhile, went one better – also taking laurels on the final day of the season. Welcoming a host of new player, they quickly meshed to form a young, vibrant team.

An unbeaten campaign, left them a point clear of Avoca III going into the last day of the season and they held their nerve to run up a 4-0 victory over Bray III to win division eleven.

Speaking about the season, club captain Aimee Powderly said that next season will be another huge challenge for the fledgling club.

“Next season will be the biggest challenge the YM ladies firsts have had to face to date. The opportunity to play senior hockey has finally arrived and the team will take on the challenge with the same amount of dedication that has seen them rise to this level.”

** The club is currently welcoming girls of all ages to join their junior section; for more information, contact ladies@ymcahc.ie or go to www.ymcahc.ie

** If you would like to have your team’s performances from the season gone by featured on The Hook, feel free to email hookresults@yahoo.com