Botanic 1sts made it into the final of the Irish Hockey Challenge cup last Saturday, 15th March by beating Raphoe from Donegal. The final score was a whopping 8-0 to Botanic at home in Glasnevin. The girls now march on to the final in April where they will face Clonakilty.

Although the final score of the match was 8-0, it wasn’t all plain sailing for the 1sts. The girls were under a lot of pressure from Raphoe during the first ten minutes of the game. It wasn’t until the 1sts scored a penalty flick (as a result of the ball hitting a Raphoe player on their goal-line) that the 1sts really got into their stride. Following the flick, scored by sweeper, Gillian McAuliffe, two more goals were scored before the break at half time.

Raphoe still fought hard in the second half, but it wasn’t to be their day. The 1sts banged in five more goals in the second half to the delight of all the supporters on the side line. It was a good start to the St Paddy’s bank holiday weekend for the club and now it’s onwards to the final!