As quoted by St. Matthew in the bible, “The first shall be the last”. This was very much the case for Newbridge College last Thursday in Dublin when they found themselves in their very first League final up against a team they had already played in their first match of the season. After a hard fought battle in the semi final the previous Friday, Newbridge advanced to the final. The journey to this unforgettable day began in early October on a similar sunny day and against the same team that they were later to meet in thee final. On that occasion Newbridge were successful putting three goals into the Columbus net. Newbridge quickly saw off the challenges of the remaining teams to top their group with outright victories on each occasion, accumulating a mass of eighteen goals in four matches and conceeding just four goals. Their progression onto the quarter finals saw them up against Newpark Comprehensive. The team put on an amazing display slotting home five unanswered goals sending word out to the other qualifiers that Newbridge mean business. The semi final was played on a Wednesday late in February in Naas against a very strong Teresian school. The match was hard fought and tenacious. The girls showed great heart and determination to finish off the opposition on a score line of 4-3.

Panel
Kathryn Higgins, Louise Murphy, Shannyn Brogan, Ciara Reynolds(Capt.), Megan Sutcliffe, Sarah Kyne (2 goals), Aileen Kyne(4 goals), Muireann Kavanagh(1 goal), Una Delahunt(6 goals), Melissa Lyons(9 goals), Dearbhla Ryan(8 goals), Orla Kelly, Aoife Ryan(1 goal), Aoife O’Sullivan, Aoife Ryan and Roisin Flynn.

While Newbridge were progressing through their qualifiers St Columbus were doing likewise on their side of the draw. They progressed to meet a neighbouring school of Newbridge, St. Mary’s, Naas who also topped their own group stage. However it was not to be the same fate for St. Mary’s as they were beaten 3-1. Columbus then turned their sites to Tullamore where they came from a 2-0 deficit to bring the semi final to extra time and ultimately to penalty flicks which they won. So now the stage was set for the meeting of both schools Newbridge College and St Columbus which would turn out to be a battle of both mind and body.

Thursday 4th of March was the date. Three Rock rovers the venue. The day was warm and sunny, perfect conditions for the final. Newbridge support was out in force students parents family past pupils and even players from teams they met previously were all there to cheer them on. The message of intent was set very quickly from tip off as Columbus attacked Newbridge College semi circle putting great pressure on the mids and backs. Newbridge took a while to settle from this attack. When they did finally get structure the attack began up the centre and left wing with great linking between Ciara Reynolds, Muireann Kavanagh and Sarah Kyne.

The Columbus backs were dogged and very strong tacklers. This made it very difficult to penetrate deep into their semi circle. The Newbridge forward line was very vibrant and hungry for ball, led by a strong Melissa Lyons who came deep to receive ball turn and launch their attack on goal. Una Delahunt and Dearbhla Ryan’s “never say die” attitude won Newbridge several important frees and short corners. It was this pressure from these forwards on the St. Columbus backs that awarded the short corner that eventually put Newbridge on the score board. The push out was executed perfectly by Dearbhla to the awaiting Melissa Lyons who took the shot which was saved, the rebound found its way to the aforementioned Dearbhla Ryan who scooped it high into the roof of the net. Newbridge were in the lead. The game progressed on with most of the action between both twenty five metre lines with neither team penetrating far into each others semi circle. The St Columbus centre mid was by far the most skilful and ultimately dangerous player collecting ball and passing through the Newbridge midfield but found herself getting crowded out by tight centre and sweeper Louise Murphy and Megan Sutcliffe. These players stopped her progression and started the counter attack linking with both wing backs Shannyn Brogan and Ciara Reynolds. The right channel for Newbridge was very strong however not exploited enough and play found itself up the centre and on the left wing. St. Columbus being very strong in centre capitalised on this and consequently won several frees and long corners in the Newbridge twenty five metre line. The pressure put on the Newbridge defence was relentless and soon a gap appeared, shot was taken saved on the line by the goalie Kathryn Higgins who kicked back out but only onto the stick of a St. Columbus forward who didn’t miss on this occasion. 1-1 it was to remain til half time.

The team talk at half time conducted by coach John Dooley and Emma O’Connell was geared to improve the attacking right channel and get the defence communicating more especially in hit outs. The second half began more positively and soon it became more of an attacking shaped team led by a very focused and determined Aileen Kyne in right mid making fantastic runs linking in with a hard working Dearbhla Ryan. A break away ball that reached the awaiting Melissa Lyons was soon directed to the Columbus goals. With only the goalie to negotiate who composed herself briliantly. Melissa took her shot but it bounced on the Astro pitch and went wide. The game remained level all the way to the full time whistle. Both teams prepared themselves for two periods of ten minutes extra. The Newbridge defence really rallied through this period pulling off great interjections and clearances. In the second stage of extra time Newbridge made their one and only substitute.

The Build Up

In the past few years Hockey in Newbridge College has been on the incline from first years up to senior level. This year’s senior 1st and 2nd teams recorded history by qualifying top of their respective groups and onto the quarter finals. The 2nds were unlucky not to progress further after losing to a very strong Mount Anville team.

The senior hockey season to date has been an exciting journey for both players and supporters alike. None more so than the epic meeting between Newbridge and St. Teresian of Donnybrook in the League semi final on Wednesday 24th February. Both teams started out fast and furious and soon the stage was laid for what turned out to be a hard gruesome battle. The Teresian had their power and skill up the centre with an extremely strong mid field and centre forward. Their attack was speedy and frantic and our backs were stretched to keep them out. A few unforced errors allowed the Teresians to win short corners which they executed perfectly and consequently got their scores from. Newbridge on the other hand had their strength up the wings and across the centre with our sweeper Megan Sutcliffe roaming around mid field un marked and intercepting ball and launching attacks. Great distribution of ball into our forwards accounted for some of the Newbridge goals. Melissa Lyons Dearbhla Ryan and Una Delahunt all were amazing in attack and linking up perfectly to score 2 amazing goals both of which were put away by Una. Melissa was the power house in the centre coming deep to receive ball turning and carrying the ball all the way into the semi circle laying it off to oncoming forwards which was exciting to see.

As mentioned before 2 goals were scored on the post by the perfectly positioned Una Delahunt. Another goal was scored by a set piece short corner that involved four different players and was shot into the goals by none other than Melissa Lyons. The final goal was scored from a fantastic pass into the semi circle by Aileen Kyne deflected off a defenders foot and Una Delahunt’s stick into the corner of the goals, well deserved for a hungry enthusiastic forward line. The defence held the last ten minutes with great determination with great work produced by shannyn Brogan Ciara Reynolds and Louise Murphy. Final Score Newbridge 4 - St. Teresian 3.

From the outset the team proved to be a very strong outfit beating most of the teams convincingly. They quickly climbed the league table and finished on maximum points. Because of their success, they have enjoyed home advantage for the qualifiers which also encouraged supporters to come along.

Results
Newbridge         -              St. Columbos               3-1
Newbridge         -              Dundalk Grammar       5-2
Newbridge         -              John Scottus               5-0
Newbridge         -              St. Killians                     5-1
Newbridge         -              St. Joseph of Cluny     7-1
Newbridge         -              Newpark Comp.           5-1
Newbridge         -              Naas ladies 2nd            1-0

Photos
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We wish the girls the best in the upcoming games and a long and fruitful campaign.

Newbridge College Newbridge, Co. Kildare, Republic of Ireland Tel: +353 45 487200 Fax: +353 45 487234 Email: info@newbridge-college.ie