Elks go for more silverware

THE Ulster Shield final which was postponed due to the big freeze during the Christmas period is set to be played on Sunday March 14. Newtownabbey Club, the Ulster Elks which are based at the Jordanstown campus of the University of Ulster, will be competing in the prestigious final for the second consecutive season.

Last year they suffered defeat by Pegasus in the showcase match, but this year the Elks hope to go one better and overcome this year's opposition, Lurgan.

The announcement of the final date comes at the same time as the Ulster Elks were announced as a nomination for Club of the Year in Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Sports Awards.

The Elks, who have already won the Irish Intervarsity title this season, hope their presence in the Ulster Shield final will help the club to be shortlisted in the final three for the Gala Awards Dinner at Mossley Mill in April.

Head Coach Ricky Lee commented: "The success of the club in 2009 was unprecedented, every team in the club gained promotion, we won the ESB Irish Hockey, won the Irish Intervarsity Tournament as well as appearing in prestigious tournament finals and semi-finals. It would be fantastic if we could start 2010 by lifting the Ulster Shield."

Speaking of his team’s chances in the final Ricky Lee seemed optimistic: "Lurgan are a defensively strong team that have plenty of pace up front, they don't conceed many goals and are always a threat going forward. One thing is for sure is that we will have to be at our very best to overcome them, but I am confident that we have the strength and depth to do so." Lee added: "We will definitely be missing one of our international players, possibly two, due to international commitments, but we have plenty of quality players that are more than capable.

“We have a number of players that are currently trialling with Ulster U21s and the Ulster Senior Panel and others that have represented Ulster or Northern Ireland Universities in the past so there is definitely quality there, plus the experience of defeat in the final last year will provide that extra motivation."

- The ONE1918 Ulster Shield final will be on Sunday 14th March at Lisnagarvey Hockey Club, Hillsborough. Passback is at 2.30pm.