In the absence of any matches and with no changes to the COVID protocols we have little news on these fronts. With this in mind we would like to use this opportunity to give some of our Junior Members the opportunity to describe their hockey experiences.

This week we would like to introduce Louis Peuch (Under 16 boys / Leinster U16 ) and Hannah McKenna (Inter girls/ Leinster U16 ). Both of these are goalies and have benefited greatly from the superb coaching from Brian Cleary.

The following is their last weekend schedule showing how huge a part both hockey and Three Rock Rovers plays in their lives!

In Louis Peuch’s’ words :

On Friday we had U16s training with James; every alternate week we have goalkeeper training with Brian and this Friday was the girls’ turn.
I arrived just before 7pm, warmed up and got my kit on. I love my new Obo gear and am very grateful to the club for part-sponsoring me. At training we did some shooting drills, with quick shots from the top of the circle and some back-post deflections, and finished with short corners. After training I went home, had a shower and had my dinner.

I spent a lot of Saturday doing homework (I’m in third year). I had a music lesson over Skype in the morning and then I started my homework. I had the opportunity to train with the men’s 3rds-6ths, as my brother Theo was going to that, but I didn’t want to train five times in five days (I have school hockey on Mondays and Thursdays). I did all of my homework and went out with my mum and my dog for a walk.

I had Leinster training on Sunday at 2pm. We had about an hour of fitness in Marlay Park, where we did speed and mobility exercises, and then had hockey at Three Rock. At the training, we did rebounding and deflections. Near the end, the U18s boys joined us and we practised short corners against each other. This was beneficial because we had been practising them before against defenders who knew all the techniques, which lost us the element of surprise.

After a long shower and a big dinner I did my music practice and then relaxed for the evening.

TRR Goalie weekend by Hannagh McKenna
This weekend was a busy one for me with school, club and Leinster training.

Friday
Friday is a rest day from School hockey, so home early with some down time to chillax (on Play Station VR), fuel up and check my gear before Friday night training in Grange road.
This Friday I had goalie training with Brain Cleary (The best goalie coach!) and then group training with the Inter Squad.
Friday night after training is home, shower, refuel, chillax and an early night.

Saturday
At this stage in the season we would normally have school preseason warm up games on a Saturday Morning, but due to Covid restrictions these are on hold for the moment. Saturday for me is currently a rest day but we had our first school weekend training session so in school for 8.30, but this was a light training session for me, and I sat out the fitness part of the session and focused on training Drills.

I am in fourth year TY this year and I am doing the Gasice program in TRR. Ruth organised Ali Keogh, FIH International hockey umpire to give us an Introduction to Hockey Umpiring, this was an amazing session, Ali was brilliant, and I learnt a lot.
We also had a special birthday this weekend, Happy Birthday Ella Power! We had social distanced cake and candles pitch side after the Umpiring session! Thanks to Ali FQ for organising cake and hats!

Sunday
Sunday morning as part of the Gaisce program I assist Calum coaching the 4th class girls’ teams. This has been really interesting for me as I play goalie, I don’t get to do much outfield, so it has been interesting to help out. I hope to do the coaching qualification in 2021 and coach in Three Rock next season.

Sunday afternoon is time for Homework, relaxing and fuelling for Leinster training. Sunday evening, I trained in TRR with the Under 16 Leinster Squad, we are currently preparing for the upcoming Inter Pro tournament which will be held over the Halloween Mid Term Covid restrictions permitting.

GAISCES
On Saturday evening this year’s Gaisces were delighted to have an hour’s Introduction to Umpiring session with Ali Keogh. She very kindly gave of her time and expertise to talk to this enthusiastic group.

She was very keen to get them together on the pitch with their whistles… as she said one of the biggest things for young people to learn when starting to umpire is confidence blowing the whistle !! Consequently the evening air above 3 Rock was filled with the sound of 24 whistles being enthusiastically blown !

Next week 2 of those who participated will give their own report on the session.