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WESLEY COLLEGE – SENIOR GIRLS’ 1ST XI HOCKEY A “VERY” BRIEF HISTORY By Don Lewis
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LOOKING BACK:
The opening of the Wesleyan Connexional School, St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin took place on Wednesday morning, the 1st October 1845. In all there were 12 boys – 3 boarders and 9 day pupils. Sixty-six years later, in 1911, the Methodist Conference deemed it “a suitable occasion for opening Wesley College to girls to secure such training as will fit them for professional and business careers”. In September of that year six boarder girls and fifteen day girls joined the College. The first Wesley College senior girls’ hockey team to enter the Leinster Schools’ Cup was in 1913 and they played their home matches in the Olney Club, Terenure. Wesley teams got to the Leinster Schools’ finals in 1915 and 1918 losing to Muckross on both occasions. The first Wesley team to win the Leinster Schools’ Cup was in 1924 - this success was achieved again in 1928. It was almost 30 years before the Senior Girls’ team won the Leinster Schools’ Cup again - in 1955. This was followed by a “golden era” with a hat trick of 3 cup wins in a row from 1958 to 1960. These teams were coached by George Eagar, Hilary de Lacy and N. Phibbs. Hilary, a former school hockey captain, along with past pupil, Sheila Price, and Betty Rickard, played for the senior Irish International XI. George Eagar, teacher of Mathematics, coached Wesley girls’ hockey teams over four decades from the 1950’s to the late 1980’s – a magnificent contribution.
Ludford Park – the present school grounds– was purchased in 1964, by the Governors for £55,000! In September of that year 24 boarders were accommodated there. In 1969 the whole school moved from St. Stephen’s Green to new premises on this superb 50 acre site in the foothills of the Dublin Mountains. Sport received a great boost with the provision of rugby pitches, grass hockey pitches, a grass athletic field, cricket pitches and 7 tennis courts on the school site. In 1977 the first grit hockey pitch was built which coincided with the appointment of Ken Blackmore as Principal. Both he, and his wife Joan, gave hockey a tremendous impetus and a great number of successes, at all levels of girls’ hockey, were achieved.
In 1981/82 the 1st XI girls’ team, captained by Hilary Johnston and coached by Mr. Blackmore, won the Leinster Senior League and Cup double as well as the Kate Russell All Ireland Trophy for the first time. This “treble” was achieved again in both 1985/86 and 1986/87 with teams captained by Susan Yoakley and Gail Miller respectively. Karen Deering, teacher of English, played on these two outstanding teams. She was one of five Wesley girls who played for the Leinster team in 1986/87 that won the Interprovincial championship. The others were Gail Miller, Vida Gillespie, Fiona Gillespie and Claire Ritchie. The new “Desso” hockey pitch was build and made available for the 1990/91 season. Success continued with many girls representing both Leinster and Irish Schools. Zanya Dahl, captain of the Senior League winning team in 1992/93 went on to become a full Irish International.
In 1995 the first major overseas hockey tour was organised to Zimbabwe with Joan Blackmore as managerand Louise Tallon, head of the Girls’ P.E. Department, as coach. The 15 player squad, captained by Caroline Johnston, won 5 of their 7 matches on what was a unique and wonderful tour. Louise, a senior player with Loreto, continued to coach senior girls’ hockey for 10 years. The 1997/98 team, probably her best side, was captained by Jenny Osborne and included Nikki Symmons, a current member of the Irish International Squad. This team won the Leinster Schools’ Cup against local rivals Mount Anville by 2 goals to 1 in the very fine hockey grounds at Belfield.
TODAY’S TEAM:
The present Wesley College Senior Girls’ team is coached by Quentin Heaney, former player, past pupil and member of the College’s teaching staff. This year’s team made notable progress since September developing an admirable team spirit and a fine work ethic, under the captaincy of Jennie Fair. Jennie is also the “Australia Tour” captain. The 1st XI team reached the final of the Premier Leinster Schoolgirls League before Christmas. They had a decisive 2-0 win against Mt. Anville in the quarter final going on to beat Alexandra College 2 -1 in a closely contested semi final. These wins owe much to a very strong defensive partnership of Sinead Lyons and Nicola Clarke with goalie Stella Davis pulling off many excellent saves. In the final Wesley came up against a very accomplished Loreto Beaufort side. They played well in the first half, winning some short corners and the half time score was 1-0 to Loreto. This lead was extended in the second half but Rachel Scott pegged it back to a 2- 1 deficit with a well struck short corner strike. For the next 10 minutes Wesley took the fight to them, pushing forward and playing some fine hockey. However, leaving themselves a little exposed Loreto went on to score again and win the league.
Following this the Senior Girls reached the semi-finals of the Leinster Senior Cup beating St Gerard’s School, 3-0, and Loreto Bray with a fine performance from Maeve Galvin who scored the decisive goal. In the semi-final the team came up again against a much fancied Alexandra College side. They were unlucky to concede an early goal but fought back with great resolve.
1-0 down at half time Wesley went out for the second half determined to get back in the game but to their dismay another goal was awarded against them. Alexandra went on to win the final convincingly. The majority of players from this year’s side will tour Australia. The 25 player squad includes girls from 4th, 5th and 6th year giving it a blend of youth and experience. Rachel Scott, Leigh Pelow and Nadia Douglas have represented the Leinster Schools under 18 side this year with Nadia going on to become an Under 18 Irish International. Amanda Walker, Kate Willis and Suzanne Lett represented Leinster at Under 16 level with Suzanne also representing Ireland. The tour will provide opportunities for both player and coach development and a good foundation for the Wesley Senior Girls’ teams for the next 2 seasons.
Don Lewis.