Loreto's Wine & White Army Ready for the Euro's
June 04, 2014
Loreto hockey club will
represent Ireland at the European Club Champions 
Trophy in Loughborough
University in Leicester from Friday 6 to Monday 9 June 2014.
Loreto, ranked second in pool A and fourth overall in the tournament, open
their account on Friday against slightly
unknown Russian side Metrostroy and 24 hours later they take on the
Belarus side, Victorya Smolevichi who
are the tournament’s top seeds. Their
final pool game on Sunday pits them against a second Russian club side, Izmaylovo.
The playoffs take place on Monday where the top of each pool plays against each
other in the final. There are also playoff matches for 3rd/4th position,
5th/6th position and 7th/8th position. Their aim will be to finish as high up
the rankings as possible, with top four being
a realistic target.
Due to the timing of this competition coinciding with the Leaving Cert exams, Loreto will be missing their three quality
schoolgirl players, Bryony Biggam,
Lauren O’Leary and Jessica McGirr, the latter of whom has been outstanding for the club
throughout the season. Also missing will be their star markswoman Nikki Keegan
who is getting married in June.
However the squad is still strong, welcoming back Cathy McKean after a long
period out with a crusciate knee injury.
Their defence of Hannah Matthews,
Sinead McGirr, Rachel Keegan and Loreto Club Player of the Year Sarah Clarke, will be marshalled by ex-International keeper
Louisa Healy and will want to show their good form from the season gone
by. Key in midfield will be the
experience of Catriona O’Kelly and the guile and calmness of playmaker Aisling
Campion. both of whom have International and European experience. Also expected to make a huge impact are
Loreto's Internationals Ali Meeke and Niamh Small whose combination in the
midfield and forward lines is sure to pose a serious threat along with Loreto's
top strikers Hayley Mulcahy and Ciara Vincent.
This year Loreto are coached by Trevor Dagg, an ex-international panellist
himself. Dagg is highly experienced having coached the U16 and U18 Irish
panels. He also had great success coaching M, taking them to an All Ireland League final. Gordon Elliot is an
invaluable asset as the assistant coach, having represented Ireland at Senior Level on
59 occasions.
Loreto have a large contingent of supporters travelling to Loughborough to
cheer on the girls in wine and white. Having competed in European competition
in Vienna, Lille, Amsterdam and Rome
over the last twelve years, both the
team and our supporters are ready and eager to represent Ireland once more in
Europe.
Schedule:
Friday 6th June
12:00 A Loreto HC v HC Metrostroy
Saturday 7th June
13:00 A Loreto HC v HC Victorya Smolevichi
Sunday 8th June
13:00 A Loreto HC v CSP Izmaylovo
Monday 9th June
Playoff Matches
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Start Time: 18:00 | Your Timezone: 19:00 |
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Start Time: 17:00 | Your Timezone: 18:00 |
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Start Time: 17:00 | Your Timezone: 18:00 |
Loreto Team: Carly Baker, Aisling Campion, Sarah Clarke, Zoe Ennis, Louisa Healy, Rachel Keegan, Hannah Matthews (Captain), Ali Meeke, Hayley Mulcahy, Ruth Murphy, Aine McCrann, Sinead McGirr, Cathy McKean, Triona O’Kelly, Sarah O’Loughlin, Roisin Ryan, Niamh Small, Ciara Vincent.
For further info, contact Sally Ann Fanagan, team manager 087 833 6276 or sallyfanagan@eircom.net
