Ladies aiming for bright start to new campaign

The team hopes to banish last season’s demons, which almost saw them drop to Section Three of the Ulster Hockey Union Senior League.

Three wins and three draws from an eighteen game league season were a frugal return for the considerable effort expended by last season’s squad, but new team captain Trish Neill is confident that this year’s squad will give a much better account of themselves in Senior Two.

“Every player, whatever club they’re with, should of course come into each new season full of confidence. But I really do believe we can do a lot better than last year,” said Trish.

“We picked up only three points from our opening seven games last season, losing the first two without scoring a single goal. That unfortunately almost set the pattern for the season and if it hadn’t been for a mini-revival near the end of the year, including doing the double over the eventual bottom-placed side, Parkview, we’d have been starting this season in Senior Three.

“But that was then and this is now. We’ve worked really hard during pre-season, have a number of highly promising new faces on board, and Christine Waide is back with us again which should make a difference,” added Trish.

“Dungannon will be a big test for us as they finished a strong third last year, but we absolutely believe we can get something from this match. Four of our first five games are way from home which isn’t exactly ideal. But if we can get a few early points on the board, hopefully winning a couple of those away games, who knows what the season may bring for us?

“Our target is to finish in the top half of the table but if we can get our feet under the table quickly, I’d love to be upgrading that target to a full-blown league title.”

Experienced midfield player Christine Waide also expressed a positive attitude over the new season. “Its great to be playing again after being out of action last season,” she said.

“I’m really looking forward to working with this particular squad. I’m certainly not as fit as I’d like to be after such a long time out but I’m working on it and I’ve some really hard working players around me.

“Team spirit is good, the girls are bonding well, and I do genuinely think we have the makings of a competitive squad. Pre-season has gone well with three wins and two draws from our six matches.

“Our only reverse was against North Down, but they’re a Senior One outfit and we managed to shade the second half of that game scoring twice in the process.

“The real hard work of course starts on Friday night and if we don’t come away from Dungannon with at least a point to our credit, I’d like to think it won’t be for the want of trying,” Christine said.