This Saturday, February 28th, Trinity Ladies 1st XI went away to Muckross H.C. for the semi-final of the Irish Hockey Trophy and secured a win on penalties.
After travelling away, Trinity arrived to begin their fight for a place in the final. With the changing room chat and warm up complete, the team took to the field for the first quarter. Muckross showed up with determination and composure, a team composed of a mix of senior and younger talent. They showed their experience and mounted pressure on the Trinity defense. After a number of chances, the ball found the backboard, putting Muckross one goal ahead at the end of the first quarter.
With a comeback needed to reach the final, at quarter time Head Coach Rory Treacy switched up the structure to allow Trinity to build possession from the back. The squad went into the second quarter, heads not dropped and with a revived sense of confidence that would be needed. A much better quarter from Trinity as they began to test the Muckross defense. A penalty corner chance went awry, but there was much more to be pleased with as the half-time whistle went.
As the second half began, Muckross did not let their standard drop. An aggressive press but the Trinity backline under pressure, few gaps appearing to be able to play out of. The midfield, led by captain Ciara Mulligan, worked well to move the ball up the pitch and Lisa Biermann contributed some excellent attacking skill to win Trinity a penalty corner. Muckross ran out well, forcing Trinity to scramble for the ball. A failed clearance found the stick of Iona O’Sullivan who calmly turned strong and flicked the ball into the back of the net. A superb finish put Trinity back in the goal and the third quarter ended 1-1.
The final quarter got underway, with both teams displaying a palpable sense of tension. Trinity maintained the majority of possession but were unable to find any opportunities in front of the goal. Rachel Jackon led the Trinity defense confidently and Muckross continued to challenge them. A saved penalty flick by Cathy Green kept the score at a draw as the whistle went, signalling that the match would be decided on penalties.
Five players from each team stepped up, Trinity going with Ally O’Sullivan, Ciara Mulligan, Violet O’Neill, Izzy Mastantuono and Lisa Biermann with Cathy Green in goal. Each player stepped up with confidence and displayed great individual skill to win the shootout 3-1. Cathy Green put in a fantastic performance, proving indispensable as she saved three penalties.
The team now look to the final, which will be played in a month. With an opportunity to earn silverware and build on their success from this season, the squad head into a few weeks of preparation and league matches. Last year, the team brought home the Jacqui Potter Shield and will look to emulate this success. Having proven they have the composure and grit to come from behind, it is sure to be an exciting contest.
Trinity Ladies 1st XI: Cathy Green (G.K.), Erica Field, Violet O’Neill, Rachel Jackson, Izzy Mastantuono, Ciara Mulligan, Honor Rowell, Aoibhin Murdoch, Ally O’Sullivan, Sophie Poole, Dara Rankin, Abi Kennedy, Lisa Biermann, Lilly Bean, Julia Adams, Iona O’Sullivan.
