Even reaching the Sharwoods' Irish Senior Cup final was a fairy tale for Ballymoney, but beating Pegasus on penalty strokes to win Saturday's final, which ended 1-1, was, in player coach Lynsey McVicker's words, "simply beyond belief".
Pegasus dominated, winning 15 short corners to Ballymoney's one, but between them and their expected victory stood Ballymoney goalkeeper Angela Platt, who was outstanding. Having weathered the early Pegasus storm, Ballymoney forced their only short corner of the game four minutes into the second half, from which Sonia Wright slotted home.
Thirteen minutes later, Claire McGookin levelled the game from a corner. Predictably enough Platt was the star of the penalty strokes competition, saving Kim Mills', Arlene Boyles' and Jeanette Gordon's efforts, while McVicker, Aine Kearney and Diane Kirgan scored.
The Coca Cola Leinster Senior Cup decider at Grange Road yesterday, between Hermes and Loreto, was as enthralling. Loreto were outplayed for much of the game but triumphed 3-2 after extra-time.
Hermes' Caitriona Carey appeared to have snatched victory when she turned home Daphne Sixsmith's short corner strike in the 67th minute but Loreto equalised 30 seconds from time when Cathy McKean scored. Five minutes into the extra-time Aisling Keane restored Hermes' lead but Pomeroy levelled again. Four minutes into the second period of extra-time Sarah Rand tapped home.
Irish Senior Cup Final (at Blaris) - Ballymoney 1 (S Wright), Pegasus 1 (C McGookin), after extra-time. Ballymoney won 32 on penalty strokes.
- Men's Hockey: With Pembroke Wanderers II beating Lisnagarvey II 2-1 in the Irish Junior Cup final at Banbridge on Saturday, four of the federation's most prestigious trophies will be on display at the Leinster Branch dinner, writes Dermot Ashmore.
Pembroke took the lead after 11 minutes through Stephen Stewart. Thirty seconds into the second half Graham Bittle equalised but Paddy Good lobbed home the winner 15 minutes from the end.
The game between Glenanne and Pembroke finished on a disappointing note at St Mark's yesterday as a fracas flared up in the closing stages with the teams locked at 2-2.
Pembroke Wanderers Ii: S Doran; A Cooke; M Tijs, S Watchorn, I Battle (capt); P Priestley, M Hunt, R Gormley; P Good, D Good, S Stewart. Subs: P Fitzroy, K Treacy.
Lisnagarvey Ii: N Brazil; N McNellis, P Pim (capt), S Arbuthnot, R Taylor, A Dowd, M Colvin, G Bittle, P Richardson, T Cockram, I Davidson. Subs: M Lappin, M Robinson.
