Lesley gets hockey fix officiating

FOLLOWING in the tradition of other ex-sports players of the North West - think Marshall Kilgore (an offical in professional rugby) and Leslie Irvine (he chose the refs for the World Cup in South Africa) - the long-term Priorians servant decided last year to start umpiring and although tough at the beginning, Lesley Buchanan admits she is enjoying the experience.
Lesley Buchanan with her award for 40 years service.Lesley Buchanan with her award for 40 years service.
Lesley Buchanan with her award for 40 years service.

“I’m now umpiring on a panel on a Saturday, so I’m only able to do some coaching with the juniors on a Wednesday night, then I’m away every Saturday some were different every week umpiring and at the end of this month I’ll have finished my first year umpiring, then we start back in August,” she explained.

“It was scary at the start but I have had an awful lot of help and support and I’m enjoying it and even looking forward to next season when we finish up later this month,” she continued.

As expected the minute she blows the final whistle at whatever game is umpiring at, her next port of call is reaching for her mobile phone to see how her old team-mates at Priorians have done.

“Yes of course I check out how Priorians do in fact the first thing I do when I come off the pitch umpiring I check my phone and wait for my text to come through with the result,” she stated.

“Even though you weren’t there you needed to find out how things went,” concluded Buchanan.

Following receipt of the award Lesley will have been amongst those in attendance at the Priorians AGM last night (May 8).

The AGM was due to be held in the City of Derry Rugby Club as the Sentinel went to print last night.

Priorians were due to decide on a range of positions held by Lesley in the past including Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, Match Secretary, Social Secretary, Fundraising Secretary, Club Captain, Youth Co-ordinator, Junior Co-ordinator and Coach Co-ordinator.

It marks the end of what has been a very successful season for Priorians.

The first team finished in fifth place this year in the Ulster Hockey Ladies League Senior 2, a mere nine points off the top spot.

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