Loreto Secondary School are representing Kilkenny in the All Ireland School Girls Hockey Championships finals today and tomorrow.
The games are taking place at the Crescent College in Limerick.
Loreto Kilkenny Profile
Coach: Aine Connery
Assistant Coach: Michele Morris
Captain: Sarah Browne
Road to the Kate Russell: Semi-final – 2-1 vs Kilkenny College; Final – 2-0 vs Loreto Wexford
It has been an incredible couple of weeks on the sporting front for Loreto Kilkenny. Last Saturday, their camogie side played in the All-Ireland final while their cross-country team claimed silver at senior and intermediate level in Sligo. Their hockey side, meanwhile, will be going for gold having broken Kilkenny College’s stranglehold on the South East title this year.
It was a fine turnaround for Loreto, especially having lost to College in the league final earlier in the season. The team showed great character to rise from that defeat and build on the positive aspects from the match to turn things around against the same opposition in the cup semi-final. It was their first win over Kilkenny College in five seasons and their sixth regional title in total.
Captain Sara Browne said of the win: “We’ve been attempting to get into the Kate Russell since I first stepped onto the hockey pitch in Loreto Kilkenny. We decided in our pre-season development that it was time for change, and it was up to us senior players to bring about that change.
“We have worked incredibly hard to achieve South East glory and we are not about to sit back and let this opportunity at the All-Ireland pass us by.”
Ten players will be able to draw on experience of representing the South East in the interprovincial competition. They are guided by an Irish great, Aine Connery, as head coach and she is looking forward to seeing what her side can do.
“The team have worked extremely hard during the year and I was delighted that their efforts paid off with a win in the South East Cup Final,” she said.
“They have shown great character and strength during the year. Their success is due to great team performances. Every member has had an impact on our journey to date. The team are looking forward to the challenge and the experience the Kate Russell will give them. I remember playing in the Kate Russell when I was a student and it was definitely one of the most memorable experiences of my hockey career. I hope the same for this team.”
Fixtures
Thursday 10th March
Game 1 9.30am Crescent V Methodist
Game 2 11.00am Alexandra V Salerno
Game 3 12.30pm Loreto V Crescent
Game 4 2.00pm Salerno V Methodist
Game 5 3.30pm Loreto V Alexandra
Friday 11th March
Game 1 9.30am Loreto V Methodist
Game 2 11.00am Crescent V Salerno
Game 3 12.30pm Methodist V Alexandra
Game 4 2.00pm Salerno V Loreto
Game 5 3.30pm Alexandra V Crescent
