The game was fast from the pass-back, both the superb water-based surface and the high pace at which Leinster attacked and defended in triangles awesome to watch.

 

The seasiders opened the score halfway through the opening half, good work down the right wing drew the Lurgan defence across to their left side and the nippy Bray wing spied a player unmarked just at the left post and her cracking clip hit was placed perfectly on the end of the left wings stick leaving Lisa Costley with no chance. This did not deter the young Lurgan squad and they rallied quickly their passing improving 100% for the remainder of the half. Lynsey Andrews was excellent in her ‘sweeping’ roll as she talked to her back four constantly encouraging and highlighting any danger and blocking and clearing quickly.  Vicky Donaldson was causing havoc down the left wing with some excellent through balls and had Lurgan reacted earlier they could have had more opportunities. Nikki Quinn grabbed the equaliser for the visitors after good work by Bell, Allen and McCracken, staccato passing their strength to weave their way forward. Lynda Grey did an excellent job man marking the dangerous Bray Number 12 and this allowed Lurgan more space to play and let the ball work for them. 

 

In the second half, Bray came out strongly, again working for each other, their ball control second to none, since they had the advantage of a water-based pitch as their home venue, where the Lurgan lassies have played all of their hockey on either shale or sand-based.

Lisa Costley had an amazing second half ensuring that all through balls from open play were calmly dealt with and she worked well with Natalie Verlaque, Zoë Allen and Lyndsey Andrews to drop and clear.  Donaldson’s lethal drive out strikes clinched the teamwork proving so valuable on the day to release the ball forward.  Young Murrays low stance was effective reaching long and getting to the ball first to release to her midfield of Dennison, Marshall and McIllwaine all of whom made some effective runs down each flank to supply both Quinn and Bell who had a couple of chances just inside the Bray ‘d’ only to be denied by a very experienced Bray Sweeper who dominated her circle with precision, throwing herself into every ball that came her way.

Bray added another two goals to take the lead to 3-1, both from Penalty Corner strikes and both performed with the precison of an experienced side whose average age was 30 compared to Lurgans average of 17.  In fairness to the Lurgan side, they did not give up to the final whistle and they all truly relished the experience of playing at this level and in front of a massive crowd, some of whom had come out to take in the tenacity and drive of the Lurgan team and all of whom were so very complimentary to the girls and the parents who had so kindly travelled down for the weekend.

The Bray coach commended the Lurgan squad at a dinner which was hosted by Brays sponsors and he was very complimentary of the pace, passion and physicality of the girls, telling them that they would go a long way in the future!

Although Lisa Costley was presented with a well-deserved ‘man of the match’ gift, each team member should take pride in their efforts and learn from the experience and hopefully go further in the Irish Junior Cup next season and lift their game for the remaining league fixtures and against Priorians 2nds in the quarter-final of the McConnell Shield in February.

Team: Lisa Costly, Lynsey Andrews, Natalie Verlaque, Zoë Allen (captain), Vicki Donaldson, Heather Bell, Zoë Dennison, Sarah McCracken, Lynda Grey, Jade Marshall, Nicki Quinn, Louise Murray, Chloe McIllwaine

Manager: Cherryl Holden    Coach: Denise Baines

 

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