Double triumph for University of Ulster at intervarsity finals

The University of Ulster won double intervarsity titles on Monday after both their Men’s and Women’s squads were victorious in their respective showpiece cup fixtures, held at the DUB on Belfast’s Upper Malone Road.
By The Newsroom
Published 30th Oct 2014, 05:00 BST
The victorious University of Ulster men's hockey team and staff pictured with the Mauritius Cup. PIc by Rowland White/Presseye INLT 44-688-CONThe victorious University of Ulster men's hockey team and staff pictured with the Mauritius Cup. PIc by Rowland White/Presseye INLT 44-688-CON
The victorious University of Ulster men's hockey team and staff pictured with the Mauritius Cup. PIc by Rowland White/Presseye INLT 44-688-CON

First up was the Men’s squad, who faced Dublin Institute of Technology in the Mauritius Cup final. The Ulster lads were somewhat in the ascendency throughout the first half but hadn’t made their pressure tell and against the run of play DIT took the lead at the break.

A fight back in the second half saw the Jordanstown side pull back two goals to get their noses in front.

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However the lead was short lived and the Dubliners pinched an equaliser to take the game to golden-goal extra time. With less than a minute into extra time James Lorimer despatched a penalty corner that took a deflection and ricocheted into the net to the jubilant celebrations of players and supporters alike.

The victorious Ulster Elks hockey team with the Chilean Cup. Pic by Rowland White / PressEye INLT 44-686-CONThe victorious Ulster Elks hockey team with the Chilean Cup. Pic by Rowland White / PressEye INLT 44-686-CON
The victorious Ulster Elks hockey team with the Chilean Cup. Pic by Rowland White / PressEye INLT 44-686-CON

The Women’s side (better known as the Ulster Elks), competing for the Chilean Cup, faced UCD who had dominated the tournament since 2009 when Ulster University last lifted the title.

There was a determined and workman-like presence about the Elks side who got to business very quickly and raced to a two goal lead within the opening five minutes with both goals coming from Kirstie Lammey.

A shell-shocked UCD team fought back but were denied on numerous occasions by good goalkeeping and tight defending. The Jordanstown girls punished the Dubliners for not making their chances count and Chloe Brown added a third. UCD did notch one back before half time but then Lammey and Brown struck once again to make the score an incredible 5-1 at half time.

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The second half was as equally energetic as the first and UCD looked as if they would mount a comeback scoring a second within minutes of the restart.

However, as they pushed forward they became evermore exposed at the back and as the fixture game to a close Emily Bowker netted twice and Stacey Lee notched up the eighth. UCD pulled one more back but it was scant consolation. Final score 8-3.

The Ulster Elks will have little time to celebrate the trophy win as they are on the road in the IHL this weekend playing against Loreto in Dublin.

Related topics:BelfastUlster