NUI Galway Ladies Soccer club has reached the 2015 Intervarsities in Waterford next March courtesy of their undefeated group stage campaign in Limerick Institute of Technology in November.
Qualification required the team to play their three group games on the same day, a daunting task, but one the ladies were more than able for.
They started in the best possible fashion with a 3-0 win over Mary Immaculate College, before holding out for a 0-0 draw with Carlow I.T. sport’s FAI/FAS course team and a 1-1 draw with Dublin Institute of Technology. The great squad effort throughout the day ensured that the team achieved their goal of reaching the Intervarsities.
Captain, Rachel Keys, was very proud of her teammates’ work rate, tackling and especially their finishing, on the day. The goals came from 1st year scholarship student, Lisa Casserley, the ever present and long term medical student, Jennifer Byrne, and Donegal’s Paula McGrory, who were all delighted to hit the back of the net.
The NUI Galway Ladies had good performances from all over the park, in particular, Goalkeeper, Aisling Hanley, made some exceptional saves, in all three matches, during the day and defender, Aoife Bell, who bravely played on after a painful hand injury. This does not discount the performances of first year defender, Sarah Peters, who was also outstanding in defence, especially when playing against Carlow’s dangerous forward line, who scored 6 goals on the day.
More top displays from Meadh Coleman, Sarah O’ Connell, Sinead Dilworth, Eimear Foley and first year Canadian medical student, Connor Oisteach, means the long term future of the club looks bright. The management team of Johnny Hynes and Padraic De Burka have plenty of time to plan for the Intervarsities, which will be held in Waterford during March, and will hope to bring back some silverware in 2015.
A big thank you from the club, as always, to Kathy Hynes and Ellen in the sports office, and to American student, Michael Donadio, for all the fitness work with the girls this semester, which was very much appreciated by all involved.
By NUIG Ladies Soccer
Image via Google
