BELFAST-based Diamonds Water Polo club have been crowned winners of the prestigious Irish Senior Cup, going unbeaten throughout the tournament to win the trophy for the first time in their 34 year history.
The group stages of the tournament saw Diamonds, who play out of the Grove centre on the Shore Road, edge out Drogheda in a closely fought 9-8 victory. Then, after a very physical encounter with North Dublin, Diamonds qualified for the semi finals winning 14-4.
Topping their group, Diamonds faced Galway-based Tribes in the second of the semi finals. Despite trailing by 1-2 at half time, the ladies produced another dominant performance for the match to finish 10-5.
Heading into their first ever Senior Cup final, Diamonds faced previous group stage rivals Drogheda. Drogheda had fought their way through a tough semi final, beating defending champions St Vincent’s to compete in their fourth consecutive final.
After a slow start, Diamonds trailed 3-5 by the end of the first quarter. Coach Ruth McGuigan revised their defensive plan during a time out called by goalkeeper, Amelia Urry, which helped to settle the play. They soon kicked it up a gear as they took the lead and the score sat at 9-7 before half time, a lead which they held in the third quarter (9-11) before pulling away in the fourth to win 13-9 and make club history.
Méabh McGurk was chosen as the ‘Most Valuable Player of the Tournament’ amongst a cohort of 90 female players who competed within the tournament. She scored an incredible six goals in the final and 11 throughout the tournament. This accolade is a fitting reward for Méabh’s amazing skills, hard work, drive and attitude in the tournament.
To top off a winning weekend, Méabh McGurk, Amelia Urry and Siobhan McGurk were also chosen as members of the ‘Team of the Tournament’.
This win was all the more historic as it was the first time in Senior Cup History the winning team was led by an all-female coaching/management team of Ruth McGuigan, Catherine Hanna and Sharlene Urry.
Former coach Victor Kirk shed tears of joy as club members, old and young, joined in on celebrations, showering the ladies in support as the final whistle was blown. Captain Oonagh Garry, who recently celebrated her 50th birthday, kicked off the celebrations by lifting the cup as her two sons looked on.
Championships can only be secured with the depth of a strong squad of committed players – in which Diamonds continue to grow a strong junior base. With the help of grants through Belfast City Council, especially after a difficult few years during Covid, the club is able to train coaches and develop players to the highest of levels.
The club dedicates this win to the late Elaine Alexander (Mrs A). She taught a lot of the girls how to swim and coached numerous water polo sessions. She gave so much of her time to support the club, and was Team Manager for a number of years.
Team
Amelia Urry (Goalkeeper)
Meabh McGurk
Siobhan McGurk
Ellen Loane
Sam Brown
Sasha Kirk
Anna Whiteside
Oonagh Garry (Captain)
Aoife Ní Dhochartaigh
Maeve Gallagher
Scarlett Urry
Georgina Huston
Aoiffe Lynch
Katie McGuigan
Lauryn Alexander
