In true Trinity Ladies Hockey fashion, the 2024/2025 season has proven to be a very busy one. Between the Leinster outdoor and indoor leagues, Leinster Hockey cups, Hockey Ireland varsities and Hockey Ireland cups, the 4 teams have played a total of 97 matches so far from September to March. This has meant that some teams have been playing double headers for multiple weekends in a row. However, despite the difficult and busy schedules, the club has many things to celebrate. This year, both the 1st and 4th teams have made the Jacqui Potter Shield and Division 9/10 finals. Not only is this a huge achievement for the club and its players, but it is a celebration for Women in Trinity Sport, and Trinity Hockey as a whole.
The Jacqui Potter Cup/Shield and Leinster Division 9/10 Cup are tournaments in which Leinster teams play against one another in a knock-out format. The Leinster Cup takes place throughout the year, whereas the Jacqui Potter Cup begins at the beginning of the second semester, and runs until St Patrick’s Day. These tournaments offer teams and clubs an opportunity to play familiar teams, however with an extra dimension of an all-to-play mentality. This is created by the fact that if the score is tied when the final whistle is blown, the result is decided through 1 v 1s. For anyone new to the sport, this is when a player is required to take on the opposing team’s goalkeeper. The player has 8 seconds to put the ball in the back of the net, whereas the goalkeeper has 8 seconds to keep it out of the net. Not only does this format make these matches extremely exciting, but it also gives players the chance to try new skills and get out of their comfort zones. It would not be a final without a story to tell. Our 1s and 4s have had runs to the finals filled with excitement, tough battles, and nail-biting moments.
First off, let’s have a look at 1s’ run-up to the Jacqui Potter Shield Final, which will be taking place on St Patrick’s Day in Three Rock Rovers Hockey Club. The 1s started their campaign against Avoca 2nd team, in a home fixture shortly after the Christmas break. As the team’s first match back after the Christmas holiday, they were eager to get 2025 and the second half of the season off to a winning start. Through teamwork and hard work on and off the ball, the team pulled off a very convincing 5-2 win. This brought them to take on the tough task of Railway 1s in the second round. Currently ranked 2nd in Ireland’s top National League (EY 1), the 1s knew this would be a difficult match from the start, and put everything they could on the field. However, Railway proved to be too strong and the 1s walked away with a 2-0 defeat.
Normally, a loss results in a complete exit from the competition altogether. However, these cups are unique in that any team that loses in the 1st 2 rounds moves into what is known as the Shield competition. With a renewed sense of determination and courage, the 1s moved onto the Shield competition, with their first competitors being Old Alex 2s. After a tight match, with unbelievable play from both teams throughout the match, the score was 0-0 at final time. However, the nerves of 1 v 1s did not stop the 1s from displaying their vast range of skills, and just like that, they secured themselves a semi-final against Three Rock Rovers.
This match proved to be unlike any other the 1s had faced before. Although the match began as a beautiful spring day, the rain had a separate agenda for the afternoon. Despite the difficult conditions, the team managed to secure a 2 – 0, with 2 team-worked goals being scored to put Trinity in front. What ameliorates this win, is that this was the 6th match the team had played in 3 weeks. This run-up has been one of unbelievable hockey, but also an incredible display of collaboration, tenacity, and passion.
The 4s, famously known as the “Foxy’s 4s” have shown their dominance and unmatched passion for the game of hockey throughout their journey to the final. The team had an earlier start to the cup season compared to the 1s, playing their first round in November. Having been given a BYE in the first round, the team progressed onto the next round where they faced YMCA 3rds. The team battled it out and challenged the home team to the limit, and forced the score to a draw. The team stepped up to the task of 1 v 1s, and gracefully won in the sudden death round. The team moved onto their next opponent, Bray, where they faced them in the beautiful landscape of home grounds Santry. The match again could not be decided in the normal time, and the team was again set to the task of 1 v 1s. Using the experience of the previous round, the 4s put on an outstanding performance to win the shootout 3 – 1.
With 2 confident wins under their belt, the team moved onto the semi finals, where they took on Mullingar away. A match so far away from Santry always has its challenges, but the 4s took it in their stride and brought the fight to the home team. With 2 goals a piece, the team yet again had to take on the test of 1 v 1s. In the face of a huge opportunity, the Foxy Fours stepped up to the plate and bravely took their penalties in style, earning them a spot in the final against old rivals Glenanne. Throughout this passage of matches, this team has been the definition of determination and courage. To win 3 consecutive matches in 1 v 1s is no mean feat, and one that requires nerves of steel and unbreakable belief.
These finals are the result of the hard work and effort these players and coaches have put into this season, and show the bright future the club is working towards. Whether it is a win or loss for both teams, this is a proud moment for Trinity Ladies Hockey, and one that will be remembered for a very long time.
