Double hockey triumph

Athlone Community College"s second year hockey team defeated Taylor"s Hill, Galway, after extra-time in an exciting Connacht final recently. This match started and ended with great pressure from Athlone Community College, despite the best efforts of Taylor"s Hill. Athlone CC had an early scoring attempt but the went wide. Taylor"s Hill had a few chances that were quickly extinguished by Athlone CC. In the second half, Athlone CC were camped in the Galway side"s circle, but were unable to score as the Taylor"s sweeper dominated the circle. Athlone were frustrated at being unable to make the breakthrough and the match went into extra time. As the first half of extra time drew near to a close, a double effort by Aine Muldoon and Ciara O"Murchadha-Flynn made a great channel into the circle. The extra push by Kelly McLoughlin got it close enough to the goals for Aine and Ciara"s double effort to pay off and score the first goal of the match. This was enough to seal victory for Athlone Community College of the day. Thanks to all panel members for their effort and dedication to the team and to the school. The players would like to thank their coach Rosemary Moran for helping them to achieve this great win. They also thank Mrs Eileen Donohoe, Deputy Principal, for supporting the team. Panel: Sinead Dunning, Aine Muldoon, Catherine Galvin, Suzanne Gillespie, Sarah Daly, Elaine Horan, Aoibhin McDaid, Anne Walsh, Ciara Murray, Roisin Hannon, Terri O"Sullivan, Emma Darling, Catherine Bruce, Megan Molloy, Lisa Hogan, Kelly McLoughlin, Alison Morris. Meanwhile, the Athlone Community College first year team ended their season in style by winning the Connaught League final. They beat neighbours Our Lady"s Bower, Athlone, in a gripping game. Along the path, ACC had beaten Solerno and Taylor"s Hill and had previously drawn against the Bower in the lead up to this entertaining final. The match took place on last Thursday in Athlone Regional Sports Centre under exceptional weather conditions. Athlone CC proved to be exceedingly determined from the outset. The game commenced at a high speed pace with the Bower attacking the ACC goal. The ACC backs defended superbly with Robin Keane and Megan Lennon making a number of impressive clearances. Enthusiastic midfielders Sarah Ruane, Louise McHugh, Rachel Emerson and Sarah Dowling capitalised on this by pointing severs pressure on the Bower defence. The Bower endeavoured to put pressure on the ACC defence, but Katie Donohoe sweeper proved to be a impenetrable force. The Bower proved to be incredibly strong on the counter-attack and ACC goalkeeper Ciana Kelly pulled off a number of outstanding saves. ACC"s tenacity shone through in the closing ten minutes and Louise McHugh went on a lengthy run down the right wing and provided an accurate pass directly into Sarah Ruane, who had created space and she swiftly placed the ball into the back of the net. Credit must also go to the ACC forwards who proved to be a serious threat in front of the goals; they included Tara Conlon, Aisling Hurley and Sophie Jacob. Rosemary Moran, more commonly known as "Gudge" was the commendable coach and proved to be both a knowledgeable hockey coach and a caring mentor to the girls throughout the year. Thanks must also go to Ms. Laura Harrison who psyched up the team for the big game and also to Roseanne Carroll, sixth year student, who supported and encouraged the girls throughout. Panel: Ciana Kelly, Robin Keane, Katie Donoghue, Megan Lennon, Sarah Ruane (capt,), Louise McHugh, Rachel Emerson, Sarah Dowling, Tara Conlon, Aisling Hurley, Sophie Jacob, Chloe Kelly, Elaine O"Brien, Ciara O"Brien, Katie Glynn, Adrienne O"Connel, Emma Kiernan.