SLIDESHOW: Ulster Elks win Irish Senior Cup

Jordanstown’s Ulster Elks are Irish Senior Cup champions for the first time in their history.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Mar 2015, 15:38 BST
Ulster Elks' captain Gemma Frazer gets her hands in the Irish Senior Cup after beating Hermes 1-0 in Sunday's final in Dublin. Photo: Philip McCloyUlster Elks' captain Gemma Frazer gets her hands in the Irish Senior Cup after beating Hermes 1-0 in Sunday's final in Dublin. Photo: Philip McCloy
Ulster Elks' captain Gemma Frazer gets her hands in the Irish Senior Cup after beating Hermes 1-0 in Sunday's final in Dublin. Photo: Philip McCloy

Aine Curran’s first-half strike, set up by Shirley McCay, proved to be enough to topple Hermes in the showpiece match at the National Hockey Staium in Dublin.

“It is an amazing achievement not only for this great group of players but also for Ulster University as a whole,” captain Gemma Frazer said after the game, “What a fantastic way to end the season. The support was phenomenal both at the ground but also around the country, online and afar. I can’t thank everyone enough for their encouragement of the team.”

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Coach Ricky Lee added: “The preparation we have had has been amazing. We have been working with William Moore in the performance services unit at the university as well as a few sessions with Jo Hopkins in terms of our mental preparation has been instrumental.

Ulster Elks' captain Gemma Frazer gets her hands in the Irish Senior Cup after beating Hermes 1-0 in Sunday's final in Dublin. Photo: Philip McCloyUlster Elks' captain Gemma Frazer gets her hands in the Irish Senior Cup after beating Hermes 1-0 in Sunday's final in Dublin. Photo: Philip McCloy
Ulster Elks' captain Gemma Frazer gets her hands in the Irish Senior Cup after beating Hermes 1-0 in Sunday's final in Dublin. Photo: Philip McCloy

“The backing of the Sports Union, the university and our sponsors, Murphy O’Rawe Solicitors, in general has also been integral to our success. It truly has been a team effort and I hope the whole club and all those surrounding it, take pride in this achievement.”

Goal scorer Aine Curran was ecstatic at the final whistle, “I’m just so glad that we won and it is such a great feeling,” she said. “We probably should’ve got a few more from our chances and on another day we would be disappointed about that, but now it’s all about savouring this moment.”

Match photos: Philip McCloy