Sport

Aine Curran’s winner earns Ulster Elks a first Irish Senior Cup title

Defeat ends Hermes’ hopes of a quadruple this season

Aine Curran celebrates what proved to be her winning goal against Hermes in the Irish Senior Cup Final at the National Hockey Stadium, Belfield, Dublin. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
Aine Curran celebrates what proved to be her winning goal against Hermes in the Irish Senior Cup Final at the National Hockey Stadium, Belfield, Dublin. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
Sun Mar 29 2015 - 18:40

Ulster Elks 1 Hermes 0

Aine Curran's delightful 30th-minute goal propelled the Ulster Elks to a maiden women's Irish Senior Cup title at Belfield yesterday, ending Hermes' hopes of an incredible quadruple this term.

The Elks had only once previously reached the final – in their former guise of the Ulster College of Physical Education in 1971 – but were good value for their title victory.

Irish skipper Megan Frazer led the charge, first from centre forward before dropping into midfield once the lead had been taken. For Ireland, she usually operates from sweeper but she was freed to take on the more advanced role by the return of Stephanie Jameson, Canada's most capped player, who made her first appearance of 2015 for the club.

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Frazer was duly the boss of the first half, terrorising the Hermes defence at the head of a full press, and drew some stunning blocks from Emma Gray.

Numerous attacks

In addition, her side ran up six first half penalty corners before taking the lead on the half hour when Elks’ other international Shirley McCay pumped in a left wing cross.

It bounced up for former UCC woman Aine Curran who controlled in mid-air before volleying home on her reverse.

For Hermes part, Christine Quinlan was excellent in defence, mopping up numerous attacks but they were unable to get the requisite momentum going forward. Elks continued to press forward in a slightly staccato second half. Their corner count eventually ran up to 11 but proved ineffective, leaving them susceptible to a sucker-punch.

That almost came three minutes from time when Caitríona McGilp’s snap shot shaved the outside of the post.

They also had a couple of corners closed down but they were fleeting moments as the Elks deservedly took down their first title.

ULSTER ELKS: R Davidson, S MacAuley, S Jameson, D Wilson, L Brown, G Frazer, K Lammey, M Frazer, L McAlpine, A Curran, S McCay. Subs: D Axon, L Wright, L Neish, J McMaster, D McNally.

HERMES: E Gray, S Willis, S Loughran, R Carrigan, M Tennant-Humphreys, A Naughton., E Horan, A Connery, C Quinlan, S Kelly, S Patton. Subs: C McGilp, K McComish, A Harte, L Thomas, L Pinder, S Grehan