MONEY SEAL FINAL BERTH

The local girls will go head-to-head with holders Elks in the December 28 showpiece after they saw off Pegasus.

The two tight semi-finals were played as a double header on Sunday at Civil Service.

And the Toon kept their nerve during penalty flicks to book their final spot.

Ballymoney have never lifted the Ulster Shield and will go into the game as underdogs - a tag which suits the locals.

A club spokesperson told Times Sport: "It's a competition we have never won and we are delighted to have the chance to change that.

"At the start of the season we didn't really know what sort of side we were going to have because there were quite a number of changes at the club.

"But the girls have come together and it is a great honour to be in the situation we are.

"Elks are the holders so they should be the favourites but at Ballymoney we are always underdogs and we don't mind that one bit. We beat them a couple of weeks ago and will go into the game full of confidence."

With their warm-up match against Pegasus midweek Money went into the semi final of the Ulster Shield feeling well prepared and it was a good job they were.

Having drawn just a few weeks earlier in the Irish Hockey League both teams knew a tough match was on the cards.

Bridget Cleland had her usual midfield battle with counterpart Emma Stewart and each team proved capable of dealing with each other's attacks throughout the game.

In defence Julie Nelson had an outstanding game turning many of the Armagh attacks to Ballymoney's advantage.

However, in the 27th minute of the game Armagh took their first clear cut chance and Rachel Mulligan from Armagh reversed sticked the ball past the goalie.

The saying goes that a team are at their most vulnerable just after they score and this proved to be the case when two minutes later Katie Mullan weaved her way through the Armagh defence and her powerful strike bounded of the back boards.

The second half saw both teams slug it out in an attempt to gain the advantage but as time wore on and both teams cancelled each other out.

Extra time and golden goal looked like the only solution and the only way to separate these two stubborn teams.

With 15 minutes of extra time to play both teams fought like fury to gain the advantage and both had shots on goal but to no avail meaning the tie was to be settled on penalty strokes.

Five brave Money girls stepped forward to take the flicks and of course Jenna Holmes in the Money net was being put under extreme pressure.

Jenna saved two of the Armagh flicks and in the end three Money girls converted giving Money a well deserved win and a place in the final.

* Ballymoney Hockey Club are holding a table quiz from 7pm for 7.30pm this Friday at Ballymoney Rugby Club.

Entry is just 3 per person, maximum five per team.

The firsts are at home to Lurgan this Saturday from 2.30pm.