Lurgan Girls Contribute to Ulster Girls Hockey Gold at UK School Games

Saturday, 04 September 2010 00:00

Natalie leading out the Ulster team before historic victory over England

Lurgan College girls Natalie Barr, Louise Murray, Chloe Mc Cann and Jill Edgar were members of the Ulster squad that delivered an amazing display of hockey in the prestigious UK School Games in Newcastle upon Tyne last weekend overpowering Wales, England and Scotland on their way to win the gold medal.

Entering the tournament as underdogs the young squad began with a convincing 3.0 victory over Wales. They started this game with gusto and completely overpowered their opponents having taken their 3 goal lead by half time.

UK School Games

The 4 Lurgan College girls, who all play in the Premiership for Lurgan Ladies knew the size of the task they faced with England having never been previously beaten in the UK School Games. On a sunny day before a large crowd of supporters the Ulster girls started positively forcing a series of early short corners. Unfortunately they weren’t able to capitalise on their early possession and England broke away and scored in the fourth minute. Despite this setback Ulster continued to press England back playing beautiful passing hockey putting the English defence under immense pressure. Unfortunately opportunity after opportunity passed and it looked as if it was going to be one of those days. Just two minutes before half time the breakthrough came with finally Ulster getting the equaliser all their possession and play deserved. They say you are weakest just after you score and unfortunately yet again England broke away and scored just on the half time whistle for Ulster to go in at the break the better team but trailing 2.1. England started the second half on an understandable high and pressed Ulster back for the first time in the match. It is to the credit of the Lurgan girls and this young Ulster side that they weathered the storm and again began to exert their own pressure on the English goal. 13 minutes into the second half and on short corner number 8, they scored the equaliser to set up an exciting finish. Although the game was more equal in the second half Ulster still edged the possession. The game seemed to be heading for a draw when with 5 minutes to play Ulster took the lead for the first time in the match. Again Ulster pressed and with 2 minutes on the clock a fine Ulster sweeping move was rewarded with the 4th goal that put the game finally out of England’s reach setting the travelling Ulster contingent into rapturous delight. The final whistle was greeted with celebration by coaching team and players as slowly the extent of the achievement of beating the tournament favourites England sank in.

Lurgan medal winners

The job was still not finished however and the Lurgan girls knew they had to do the business in their last game against Scotland to be sure of the gold medal. The Ulster team started with fervour and were 2.0 up in just 5 minutes. But Scotland were not going to just roll over and die and harassed Ulster for every ball putting pressure on the Ulster players all over the park. Their pressure paid off with two quick goals bringing the game back level. Scotland were on the up and Ulster had to draw from all their inner resolve to weather the storm, slowly clawing themselves back in what was a terrific game of hockey, particularly for the neutral. Again Ulster took the initiative and took the lead from a short corner. There was still over 10 minutes to half time but Ulster nerves held steady to reach the break with their noses in front. Ulster coaches used the well-earned half time space to settle the Ulster girls who knew they were almost there in their search for gold. The second half was a wonderful display of controlled Ulster hockey with all 4 Lurgan girls contributing and Ulster added a 4th goal early in the second half to secure another fine victory. At the final whistle the Ulster girls screamed and hugged as they celebrated an incredible performance where each squad member had contributed to the maximum to achieve an unexpected but very well deserved gold medal tournament success. Ulster hockey has an exciting future on the evidence of this tournament performance. It augurs well too for hockey at a local level where so much has been invested in hockey development over the last 10 years.

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