HOCKEY: Busy time for Foyle College players

Pictured are the Foyle College 2nd XI after their semi-final victory on Saturday.

The 1st XI finished in a very respectable mid-table position in the competitive Derry and Antrim league.

This Monday they play Omagh in the final of the West of Ulster league at St Columb’s Park.

The 2nd XI have one remaining league match to play in the west of Ulster league but last Saturday they turned their attention to winning a place in the final of the Ulster Schools’ 2nd XI Plate competition.

Having beaten Dalriada in the Quarter-finals they met a strong Portadown College side on Saturday past in the semi-finals.

Portadown started the game strongly and tested the Foyle defence who took a while to settle. Foyle defended a series of penalty corners before Portadown scored from a strike at the top of the circle.

After half-time Foyle began to control the game and their fast forward line began to trouble the Portadown defence.

With ten minutes left Holly Walker broke down the right, drew the keeper and set Vicky Cole up for a simple finish.

Both teams pressed for a winner with some exciting end to end play but neither could break the deadlock before full time. A period of extra-time also failed to separate the teams so a penalty shoot out ensued.

Foyle took the lead in the shoot out when Alex Dougherty saved Portadown’s second and third penalties. Emma Ball scored the winning penalty for Foyle to take the Londonderry side into the final which is scheduled for this Saturday.

Next week three players will represent the Western Area U17 hockey team at the Area Board Tournament in Lisburn. Rebekah Ferry, Hannah Lawther and Amy Kilgore were all selected for this side while after Easter Grace Hand, Beth O’Neill and Alex Dougherty will represent the Western Area U15 team. These players will all be aiming to help the Western teams win while also hoping to catch the eye of the Ulster selectors.