Railway Union won their first ever Champions Trophy in the most dramatic of circumstances in Banbridge on Sunday, Róisín Upton converting a penalty stroke in the final second of the game to give them a 1-0 victory over defending champions Loreto.
The stroke was awarded after Niamh Carey was upended by Loreto goalkeeper Liz Murphy, Upton keeping her cool to slot the ball in to the bottom left corner of the net.
It was exceptionally tough on Murphy who had been outstanding, making a string of saves throughout, including a brilliant diving one from Upton five minutes from time.
Loreto, who crushed UCD 7-1 in Saturday’s semi-finals, had started the game the stronger but could find no way past a Railway defence that had also kept Catholic Institute scoreless in their semi-final win. Railway gradually took control, though, and but for Murphy might well have had a more comfortable win.
‘I know what happened in that room’: the full story of the Conor McGregor case
Conor McGregor to pay almost €250,000 damages to Nikita Hand after jury finds he assaulted her in Dublin hotel
Storm Bert: Status red warnings in place with Met Éireann predicting ‘intense rain’ and high winds
Ryanair rejects €108m fine for cabin luggage fees among other practices
Champions Trophy (at Banbridge) - Semi-finals: Loreto 7 (H McLoughlin 2, Y Pratt 2, R Kelly 2, M Jennings), UCD 1 (M Power); Railway Union 1 (A Bourke), Catholic Institute 0. Final: Loreto 0, Railway Union 1 (R Upton pen).
- Sign up for push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone
- Find The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date
- Listen to our Inside Politics podcast for the best political chat and analysis
