Four win UK gold medals

Natalie Barr, Louise Murray, Chloe McCann and Jill Edgar were members of the Ulster squad that delivered an amazing display in the prestigious competition in Newcastle-upon-Tyne last weekend overpowering Wales, England and Scotland on their way to winning gold.

Entering the tournament as underdogs the young squad began with a convincing 3-0 victory over Wales.

The four Lurgan College girls, who all play in the Premiership for Lurgan Ladies, knew the size of the task they faced with England having never been previously beaten in the UK School Games.

On a sunny day before a large crowd of supporters the Ulster girls started positively forcing a series of early short corners. Unfortunately they weren’t able to capitalise on their early possession and England broke away and scored in the fourth minute.

Despite this setback Ulster continued to press England back playing beautiful passing hockey. Just two minutes before half time the breakthrough came with finally Ulster getting the equaliser all their possession and play deserved.

Unfortunately yet again England broke away and scored to lead 2-1 at the break.

England started the second half on an understandable high but the young Ulster side weathered the storm and 13 minutes into the second half from short corner number eight, they scored the equaliser to set up an exciting finish.

The game seemed to be heading for a draw when with five minutes to play Ulster took the lead for the first time in the match.

With two minutes on the clock a fine Ulster sweeping move was rewarded with the fourth goal that put the game finally out of England’s reach, delighting the travelling Ulster contingent.

The job was still not finished however and the Lurgan girls knew they had to do the business in their last game against Scotland to be sure of the gold medal.

They were two up after just five minutes but Scotland fought back to level matters at 2-2.

Again Ulster took the initiative and took the lead from a short corner.

The second half saw a wonderful display of controlled Ulster hockey with all 4 Lurgan girls contributing and they added a fourth goal to secure another fine victory.

At the final whistle the Ulster girls celebrated an incredible performance where each squad member had contributed to achieve an unexpected but very well deserved gold medal tournament success.

Ulster hockey has an exciting future on the evidence of this tournament performance. It augurs well too for hockey at a local level where so much has been invested in hockey development over the last 10 years.