Ciara Mulligan is selected as “Player of the Year” by the school’s Hockey Department.
This special award sponsored by the Parents Association was presented to Ciara for her valued contribution to hockey over the past six years at Mount Sackville.
When asked what this award means to Ciara she stated
“This award is a real honour as it is a recognition for the dedication and passion I have for this sport and the influence of the coaching staff in pushing me to step-up and take a leadership role with the senior team. I love playing hockey and representing Mount Sackville at matches.”
There are four trophy awards given to commendable hockey players in four categories, 1st Year, Minors, Juniors and Seniors. But due to suspension of games played this year along with team training postponed, the Senior Trophy was the only award presented in May.
Ciara is a keen sportswomen and started hockey in her final years of primary school. But it was on a three-day hockey camp for first years at Mount Sackville that was to ignite her passion for the game.
“During this induction camp I meet new friends and class mates. Hosted outdoors it was fun and memorable with many team building exercises” Ciara said “ I continued hockey though out my years at Mount Sackville and was fortunate in transition year to travel with the senior team to Scotland. We were a tight team of players but when some of the members left in sixth year, I had to step-up my role as I was one of the longest serving members of the team. “
Ciara has been a key player in numerous team victories over the years and she was part of the Mount Sackville Senior 1 Hockey team who won their Leinster league final, after a penalty shootout against Teresian School in March 2020.
“ That particular match was exciting as it went down to the wire, due to the final penalty shoot-out. I was asked to take one, and despite a lot of pressure I had to remind myself that I had been trained to take these shots and had done so more than100 times before, I just had to stay calm and take one more winning shot.”
Ms Hurley, Hockey Department, comments
“Ciara is full of enthusiasm she is a great player and never missed a training session. Over her six years at Mount Sackville she gave 100% commitment to hockey. She has the ability to play multiple positions on the pitch and did so at matches. She is a strong mid-field player and an excellent sweeper. Nothing gets passed her on the pitch and her distribution skills, both left and right, are of note, along with her leadership abilities. She is a deserving recipient of this year’s award, she is a treasure, congratulations Ciara”
Ciara graduated from Mount Sackville in May and will continue hockey at university.
“ I strongly encourage all Mount Sackville hockey players to continue and new school entrants to participate in this wonderful sport, not just for exercise but for the benefits towards ones mental health, as it has been invaluable during my school years. Thank you for this award, I am honoured ”