Senior Squad
ESB Senior Women's Interpros 2007 / 2008
15th -17th February
Grange Road, Dublin

Ulster win ESB Senior Interprovincials



The Senior Ulster girls made it the third year in a row at the weekend when they lifted the coveted ESB Senior Interprovincial trophy at Grange Road.

With a largely new squad in place for Ulster, both the newly capped girls and experienced girls showed their class in what was an exciting tournament.

In their first match, the Ulster girls defeated Connacht two goals to nil on Friday night when Nicky McCaughern and Susie Martin were at hand to find the net for Ulster.

It was Munster next for the Northern girls and a well worked short corner found Suzanne Beaney on the post, and a goal for Ulster. It is no surprise for the Pegasus girl who can boast more than 40 goals this season alone.

Ulster couldn’t capitalise from 4 short corners in the second half but the one goal was enough to take them into a one nil victory.

In the final game, Stephen Watt's girls took the lead in the 37th minute when newly capped Natasha Hamilton found the backboard after good work by forward Suzanne Beaney. Leinster were next on the score sheet with a goal from Aiofe Budd and they took the lead and the victory with a goal from Lorna Hill.

With Leinster netting a win against Ulster and two draws they finished on five points, the Ulster girls went one better however with two wins and six points giving them the hat-trick.

Coach Stephen Watt said,

“I am very pleased for the players. I thought they deserved to win it and I was delighted with their attitude, commitment and appetite towards their hockey, both in our preparations and during the competition.”

“At times, I thought how we sought to build our play was of a high quality while recognising our ability to create goal scoring opportunities was perhaps not at the level I anticipated going in. However, again, the defensive discipline and work-rate was excellent and epitomised by the energy brought to that aspect of our game, particularly by Lynsey Mallon.”

“While I am of the view that everyone can be content with their contribution, Susie Martin, again, produced a series of very good performances at this level as did Nikki McCaughran in her return to this level following a couple of years of absence.”

“Of the younger players making their debut at senior level, Steffi Quinn demonstrated why she is in the senior Ireland squad. Michelle Harvey also had a series of encouraging performances while Emma Teggarty had a particularly good debut performance against Munster.”

“Overall, it was a very positive and enjoyable exercise that saw the players give a good account of themselves and the female side of Ulster hockey.”

Ends.

Helen McConnell
UWHU PRO  

Connacht: Caitlin Friel,Shona Doyle Leinster: Sarah Walker, Danielle Costigan

Suzanne Beaney