HOCKEYARMAGH COACH Niall McCool ruffled a few Pegasus feathers last week when, speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, he tipped UCD to not only beat the reigning champions in Saturday's Irish Hockey League meeting, but to go the whole way in the competition. Pegasus captain Arlene Boyles advised him to "concentrate on coaching Armagh", who are winless in the IHL so far.
McCool’s crystal ball, as it proved, was in perfect working order, the students confirming their pedigree by inflicting on Pegasus a rare home defeat.
When Vanessa Surgeoner gave the hosts the lead after just two minutes a repeat of UCD’s 2009 Irish Senior Cup final triumph over Pegasus seemed unlikely.
But by half-time they were 3-1 up through an own goal and goals for the students from Jeamie Deacon and Leah Ewart.
Pegasus piled on the pressure and by the end of the third quarter they were level, Boyles converting a short corner and Surgeoner turning home Claire McMahon’s cross. Anna O’Flanagan, though, sealed a memorable day for Johnny Harte’s side when she got the winner in the final quarter.
Armagh, meanwhile, lost 3-0 away to Hermes, a result that put the Leinster side top of Pool A, a point ahead of UCD, Pegasus and Catholic Institute, who beat Old Alexandra 1-0.
In Pool B, Loreto made it three wins out of three – all with bonus points – when they beat UCC 4-0 in Cork, while Kate McKenna’s two goals helped Railway to a crucial 3-2 win over Ballymoney. The latter stay in second, a point ahead of Railway, with Lurgan and Cork Harlequins, who drew 1-1, still to pick up a win.
