Rainey Endowed v Methody in Belfast Telegraph Schools Cup semi Final

Well done to the Rainey 1STXI girls who played so well today v Methodist College Belfast in the semi-final of the Belfast Telegraph Schools Cup unfortunately losing 1-0.

The girls showed fantastic team spirit and never gave up right till the final whistle. Everyone at Rainey is so proud of you girls!

Many thanks to all the supporters, parents and friends who travelled to support the girls.

Thanks to Ulster Hockey for all the organisation, the umpires and our sponsors, My Best Friend Northern Ireland and Moyola Precision Engineering.

Good luck to Methodist College, Belfast in the final.

Match Report-
Only one goal was enough to send Methody through to the final of the Belfast Telegraph Schools’ Cup with a narrow 1-0 win over Rainey Endowed. It was from the first corner of the day that Methody managed to convert the would-be winner, Methody seeing out the win despite late pressure from a very determined Rainey side.

It looked like it would be a much more routine affair when Methody enjoyed a totally dominant first quarter. In fact, Rainey had goalkeeper Aoife Doyle to thank for being just 1-0 behind after the first quarter, although there was little she could do to stop the goal eight minutes in.

More penalty corners followed and it took a goal-line clearance from Sarah Goodwin to deny Armstrong a second goal later in the quarter. Rainey did break upfield once and created a good opportunity when Hannah O’Neill was played in. She did well to send a shot towards the bottom corner but Methody goalkeeper Enya Darby made a top save to begin what would be an impressive individual performance.

Methody’s onslaught continued in the second quarter and the quick, skilful Sophie Moffett had a huge opportunity when a long ball caught the Rainey defence too high up the pitch to send her clear. Once again though, Doyle came to the rescue with a stunning save one-on-one, diving at the forward’s feet.

Rainey strengthened as half-time drew closer but couldn’t make a couple of penalty corners tell on the scoreboard. O’Neill fed in Georgina McGuckin shortly before the break but just before she could pull the trigger, Methody stole in to take possession in the nick of time.

While Methody pressed at the start of the third quarter, they struggled to create chances for the second and, on the break, Rainey again showed their threat. O’Neill fed in Aimee McClure on their most dangerous break and when the cross came in, a deflection off a defensive stick required a scrambling save from Methody goalkeeper Darby.
Rainey pushed hard to find a leveller during the final quarter and were given a boost when Methody were forced to play the final five minutes a player down thanks to a yellow card for cricket star Amy Hunter.

There was a growing feeling there would be one final chance and it duly arrived. It was the swashbuckling Gabi Scott who stole possession inside the opposition half and raced into the circle, where her strong shot was well saved by Enya Darby.

Well done girls an amazing performance!