Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Monday, April 9, 2007
OLD ALEXANDRA HEARTBREAK IN MADRID AS THEY ARE NARROWLY RELEGATED ON SUDDEN DEATH PENALTY STROKES
SUNDAY APRIL 8
Old Alexandra were narrowly relegated to Cup Winners Cup Division B in this morning's playoff game with Belarusian side Viktoria Smolevichi. Alex began the game very strongly, building numerous attacks down their right hand side through Aisling Flinn, Zanya Dahl and Gillian O'Shea. Alex opened the scoring after 5 minutes with a well-worked penalty corner deflected in by Barbara Fitzgerald. Alex continued to dominate the first half and only a fine save onto the crossbar from the Belarus goalkeeper prevented Anya Bowers from doubling the Alex lead. Viktoria Smolevichi began the second half strongly and capitalised on a rare lapse in the Alex defence to win a penalty corner after 19 minutes. Alena Yanybaeva converted for the equaliser. The sides remained deadlocked at full time after some end-to-end attacking hockey, sending the tie into a penalty stroke shootout. Both sides scored 4 out of their 5 penalty strokes sending the tie into sudden death. Alex failed to convert their first penalty stroke allowing Alesia Piotukh to score the winner and secure their Division A status for next season.
Alex defender Gillian O'Shea's devastation was somewhat relieved by a dramatic pitch-side proposal from her partner Guy Garrett during post-match team photos.
Old Alexandra were narrowly relegated to Cup Winners Cup Division B in this morning's playoff game with Belarusian side Viktoria Smolevichi. Alex began the game very strongly, building numerous attacks down their right hand side through Aisling Flinn, Zanya Dahl and Gillian O'Shea. Alex opened the scoring after 5 minutes with a well-worked penalty corner deflected in by Barbara Fitzgerald. Alex continued to dominate the first half and only a fine save onto the crossbar from the Belarus goalkeeper prevented Anya Bowers from doubling the Alex lead. Viktoria Smolevichi began the second half strongly and capitalised on a rare lapse in the Alex defence to win a penalty corner after 19 minutes. Alena Yanybaeva converted for the equaliser. The sides remained deadlocked at full time after some end-to-end attacking hockey, sending the tie into a penalty stroke shootout. Both sides scored 4 out of their 5 penalty strokes sending the tie into sudden death. Alex failed to convert their first penalty stroke allowing Alesia Piotukh to score the winner and secure their Division A status for next season.
Alex defender Gillian O'Shea's devastation was somewhat relieved by a dramatic pitch-side proposal from her partner Guy Garrett during post-match team photos.
OLD ALEXANDRA FOURTH PLACE FINISH IN POOL B EUROPEAN CUP WINNERS CUP DIVISION A
SATURDAY APRIL 7
Old Alexandra completed their pool games today with a 4-1 defeat to Glasgow En-Croute Western. The Scottish side came out of the blocks the stronger, opening the scoring within the first minute of the game. Alex regained their composure but could not prevent Western adding a second goal 10 minutes later.
Old Alex then fought back well with a strong attacking run from Anya Bowers whose initial shot was saved by the goalkeeper only for the ensuing rebound to be put away by Lisa Dowling.
Alex competed well throughout the game but were undone in the second half by a well taken shot by Holly Cram, and with 5 minutes remaining a well worked Western attack won a penalty stroke which was converted by Samantha Judge.
Old Alexandra completed their pool games today with a 4-1 defeat to Glasgow En-Croute Western. The Scottish side came out of the blocks the stronger, opening the scoring within the first minute of the game. Alex regained their composure but could not prevent Western adding a second goal 10 minutes later.
Old Alex then fought back well with a strong attacking run from Anya Bowers whose initial shot was saved by the goalkeeper only for the ensuing rebound to be put away by Lisa Dowling.
Alex competed well throughout the game but were undone in the second half by a well taken shot by Holly Cram, and with 5 minutes remaining a well worked Western attack won a penalty stroke which was converted by Samantha Judge.
OLD ALEX PLAY FOR THIRD PLACE IN POOL B OF EUROPEAN CUP WINNERS CUP DIVISION A
FRIDAY APRIL 6
Old Alex slipped to defeat in their second European Cup Winners Cup Division A pool game in Madrid. Their opponents Canterbury HC had beaten Glasgow En-Croute Western 5-0 in their opening game so were firm favourites to win this game.
Alex defended stoutly but after 20 minutes of the first half conceded the opening goal to GB international Mel Clewlow. Fine saves from Alex goalkeeper Shauna Frey kept Alex in the game throughout the first half. Alex managed to contain the physical Canterbury side but were unable to match the attacking guile of their opponents in the second half when completed a 3-0 victory with goals from a fine reverse stick shot and a lifted penalty corner.
Alex face Glasgow En-Croute Western to decide 3rd and 4th place in pool B tomorrow at 10am.
Old Alex slipped to defeat in their second European Cup Winners Cup Division A pool game in Madrid. Their opponents Canterbury HC had beaten Glasgow En-Croute Western 5-0 in their opening game so were firm favourites to win this game.
Alex defended stoutly but after 20 minutes of the first half conceded the opening goal to GB international Mel Clewlow. Fine saves from Alex goalkeeper Shauna Frey kept Alex in the game throughout the first half. Alex managed to contain the physical Canterbury side but were unable to match the attacking guile of their opponents in the second half when completed a 3-0 victory with goals from a fine reverse stick shot and a lifted penalty corner.
Alex face Glasgow En-Croute Western to decide 3rd and 4th place in pool B tomorrow at 10am.
OLD ALEX OPENING DAY DEFEAT IN EUROPEAN CUP WINNERS CUP DIVISION A
THURSDAY APRIL 5
OLD ALEX slipped to a 3-1 defeat to German side Stadion-Rot Weiss Koln in their opening pool game of the European Division A Cup Winners Cup in Madrid. Alex held the Germans well for the opening period and upon conceding the opening score, fought back almost immediately to equalise through co-captain Lisa Dowling for a half-time score of 1-1.
The second half saw the German side raise their game, and despite excellent Alex short corner defence, Koln scored 2 goals from open play to win 3-1.
Old Alex play English side Canterbury in their next pool game on Friday at noon.
OLD ALEX slipped to a 3-1 defeat to German side Stadion-Rot Weiss Koln in their opening pool game of the European Division A Cup Winners Cup in Madrid. Alex held the Germans well for the opening period and upon conceding the opening score, fought back almost immediately to equalise through co-captain Lisa Dowling for a half-time score of 1-1.
The second half saw the German side raise their game, and despite excellent Alex short corner defence, Koln scored 2 goals from open play to win 3-1.
Old Alex play English side Canterbury in their next pool game on Friday at noon.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
OLD ALEX REPRESENT IRELAND IN THE EUROPEAN CUP WINNERS CUP
Irish representatives Old Alexandra HC join the top club sides in women’s European hockey in Madrid this Easter weekend for the Division A Cup Winner’s Cup competition. The club’s most recent foray into European competition was in 1999, in Rome when they won the gold medal in the Division B competition defeating Belgian side Royal Leopold.
Eight years later and three of the squad from that competition are preparing for the challenge of Division A European hockey. Jan Ovington, Gillian O'Shea and Zanya Dahl are under no illusions about the standards required to compete with the elite players of Europe. O'Shea explains: “I feel my experience in Rome will definitely help my preparations for Madrid, however this is a step up in level from anything we've ever played. It's going to be at least 10 times harder.” Ovington agrees: “I didn't know what to expect when I competed in Rome. It's only looking back at that tournament now, as we prepare for Madrid, that you fully appreciate what an incredible experience it was and how difficult this competition will be”.
Irish teams have traditionally been very strong in the division B competition but upon winning promotion find the elite A division extremely competitive. The step up in standard is marked and will be unlike anything the majority of the squad will have experienced. Old Alex can call on the Division A experience of players Zanya Dahl and Ann-Marie Cullen. Cullen, a member of the Loreto team that played in the Division A competition in Amsterdam in 2004 illustrates the gulf between the professional and the amateur hockey players. “We arrived to the pitch in a team coach, while the Amsterdam players all arrived in sponsored cars; from the word 'go' we knew we were playing against professionals”.
While their Division A opponents can boast numerous internationals on their squads, Alex also have international class players. Dahl has 17 Irish caps and young talents Shauna Frey and Jeamie Deacon have also had senior international experience and are part of the Ireland Development Squad. Dahl reckons that “the international players will be aware of how tough it will be; the speed the games will be at. For the squad as a whole, it's going to be a level above what we play in the Leinster league”. International experience will also be of help for the demanding schedule that awaits – 3 pool games and a play-off match in 4 days. “Having been on international trips, things like recovery, the kind of foods we eat, how to stay fully hydrated are going to be very important.”
Alex potentially face an intense month of matches, with the climax of the Leinster league and the Club Championships either side of their trip to Madrid. With a tremendous support staff and meticulous preparations behind them, coach Fred McDarby and his squad can look forward to a challenging and unforgettable experience in Madrid. As O’Shea puts it: “to play in a European competition is a great honour and a fantastic opportunity – one that we have trained very hard for. The hockey will be brilliant and the atmosphere will be fantastic – we can’t wait”.
Old Alex play their first pool game against German side Stadion Rot-Weiss Koln on Thursday April 5th.
European Cup Winners Cup Women, Division A, Club de Campo Madrid
Match schedule:
Thursday April 5th 10.00am Stadion Rot-Weiss Koln vs. Old Alex
Friday April 6th 12.00pm Canterbury LHC vs. Old Alex
Saturday April 7th 10.00am Glasgow En-Croute Western vs. Old Alex
Sunday April 8th Cross over matches from 9am
Tournament website: http://www.clubvillademadrid.com/recopahockey/2007/htm_en/default.htm
Eight years later and three of the squad from that competition are preparing for the challenge of Division A European hockey. Jan Ovington, Gillian O'Shea and Zanya Dahl are under no illusions about the standards required to compete with the elite players of Europe. O'Shea explains: “I feel my experience in Rome will definitely help my preparations for Madrid, however this is a step up in level from anything we've ever played. It's going to be at least 10 times harder.” Ovington agrees: “I didn't know what to expect when I competed in Rome. It's only looking back at that tournament now, as we prepare for Madrid, that you fully appreciate what an incredible experience it was and how difficult this competition will be”.
Irish teams have traditionally been very strong in the division B competition but upon winning promotion find the elite A division extremely competitive. The step up in standard is marked and will be unlike anything the majority of the squad will have experienced. Old Alex can call on the Division A experience of players Zanya Dahl and Ann-Marie Cullen. Cullen, a member of the Loreto team that played in the Division A competition in Amsterdam in 2004 illustrates the gulf between the professional and the amateur hockey players. “We arrived to the pitch in a team coach, while the Amsterdam players all arrived in sponsored cars; from the word 'go' we knew we were playing against professionals”.
While their Division A opponents can boast numerous internationals on their squads, Alex also have international class players. Dahl has 17 Irish caps and young talents Shauna Frey and Jeamie Deacon have also had senior international experience and are part of the Ireland Development Squad. Dahl reckons that “the international players will be aware of how tough it will be; the speed the games will be at. For the squad as a whole, it's going to be a level above what we play in the Leinster league”. International experience will also be of help for the demanding schedule that awaits – 3 pool games and a play-off match in 4 days. “Having been on international trips, things like recovery, the kind of foods we eat, how to stay fully hydrated are going to be very important.”
Alex potentially face an intense month of matches, with the climax of the Leinster league and the Club Championships either side of their trip to Madrid. With a tremendous support staff and meticulous preparations behind them, coach Fred McDarby and his squad can look forward to a challenging and unforgettable experience in Madrid. As O’Shea puts it: “to play in a European competition is a great honour and a fantastic opportunity – one that we have trained very hard for. The hockey will be brilliant and the atmosphere will be fantastic – we can’t wait”.
Old Alex play their first pool game against German side Stadion Rot-Weiss Koln on Thursday April 5th.
European Cup Winners Cup Women, Division A, Club de Campo Madrid
Match schedule:
Thursday April 5th 10.00am Stadion Rot-Weiss Koln vs. Old Alex
Friday April 6th 12.00pm Canterbury LHC vs. Old Alex
Saturday April 7th 10.00am Glasgow En-Croute Western vs. Old Alex
Sunday April 8th Cross over matches from 9am
Tournament website: http://www.clubvillademadrid.com/recopahockey/2007/htm_en/default.htm
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