UCD claimed the title of Electric Ireland Irish Senior Cup Champions yesterday (Sunday 13th May), with a 3-2 win over Loreto in an exciting end to a great second half.

UCD 3 (1) Niamh Atcheler 10m pc; Rachel O'Reilly 48m op; Anna O'Flanagan 65m op; Loreto 2 (1) Hannah Matthews 35m pc; Nicci Daly 38m op

The game started off with the students dominating early play making the majority of inroads to the circle but Louisa Healy in goals for Loreto stood strong until UCD executed a text book penalty corner piece in the 10th minute. UCD switched the ball back to the injector for Niamh Atcheler to sweep it in close by the post.

UCD continued to dominate the match while Loreto struggled to find rhythm. Against the run of the half Loreto secured an equaliser in the 35th minute with a penalty corner conversion from Hannah Matthews.

Loreto came out in the second half looking much more in tune and immediately began attacking with some great work by Nicci Daly. Loreto's eager start paid off just 3 minutes into the second half when Cathy McKean and Nicci Daly combined to set up a lovely two on one beating Stella Davis in goals to go 2-1 up.

UCD fought hard and just seconds after Nikki Keegan's deft touch which was denied by the post UCD were in a goal mouth scramble which allowed Rachel O'Reilly to get on the end a level the sides at 2-2.

Just as we were looking like extra time was the only thing to separate these sides an aerial set up Watkins and O'Flanagan to create a perfect 2 on 1 to make it 3-2 in the 65th minute leaving Loreto heartbroken for the second time in a 8 days.

This concludes the end to a fantastic season for the UCD Ladies Hockey team as the team has also claimed a number of other distinguished honours. These include the Leinster Division 1 Cup and League double and the Chilean Cup beating Queens University in the final.

The victorious team coached by Johnny Harte was Niamh Atchler, Kate Collins Smyth, Stella Davis, Jeamie Deacon, Hannah deBurgh Whyte, Deirdre Duke, Leah Ewart, Noelle Farrell, Brenda Flannery, Dora Gorman, Nicola Gray, Sarah Greene, Caroline Hill, Anna O’Flanagan, Rachel O’Reilly, Chloe Watkins and Laura Wilson (Captain).

There were a number of individual achievements from this talented team, which included Niamh Atchler, Deirdre Duke, Nicola Gray, Sarah Greene, Caroline Hill, Jessica McMickian, Leah Ewart, Brenda Flannery and Jessica McMickian all capped at their respective provincial level and Chloe Watkins, Niamh Atchler and Anna O’Flannagan all capped for the Irish Senior Womens team.