Newry Olympic 2-1 Portrush (Promo/Relegation playoff)

The final match of the season saw Newry Olympic 1s play Portrush in the promotion/relegation playoff for the Ulster Hockey Premier League and Intermediate League. The game was held at the neutral venue of The Glade, at Mossley Hockey Club in Newtownabbey on Wednesday 4th May.

Intermediate side Portrush played like they had a point to prove and were very energetic in the opening exchanges. They were first to chase down breaking balls and really hassled the Newry players at every possible point.  The tactic paid off as they took the lead in the first quarter.

As the game wore on Newry started to control possession but were sloppy in the attacking third. That was until Keith McWilliams and Andrew Shekleton linked up well, with the latter getting the equaliser. It should have been two a few minutes before half time, however Colin Holmes saw his penalty stroke saved by the Portrush keeper.

In the second half Newry again had long periods of possession, but Portrush defended resolutely and restricted the Olympic side to half chances and penalty corners. The promotion hopefuls did manage a few counter attacks, but were unable to force any real clear cut chances.

With time running out and run-ins looming, Newry went on one final onslaught and won a short corner. Colin Holmes this time did not disappoint, as he rocketed the ball into the top corner to give Newry a hard fought but deserved 2-1 win to secure Premier League hockey once again next season.

Newry Olympic

R. McGivern, C. Holmes, C. Henning, J. Greer (Capt), A. Baird, G. Moffett, C. McKnight, K. Fletcher, K. McWilliams, A. Shekleton, C. Large, I. Steen, J. Porter, S. Blakley, J. Gregg