1961 - 2012

The First 50 Years

 

Pegasus Hockey Club was founded in 1961, the first AGM was held on Monday 13 March at ‘Shandon’ Beechlands, Malone Road, Belfast, there where 13 members present. The club was to include players from UCPE (Jordanstown) and Stranmillis College. Prior to this, attempts to start the club had been merely a sparkle in the eye of Hilary O’Neill, but when nine girls left UCPE - all fit and able hockey players, an idea became a reality and Pegasus was born! Through Miss Anna Richmond’s connection with Miss Catherine McTavish, it was decided to include Stranmillis P.E. Teachers as well. A decision could not be made on a name for the new club and this was subsequently decided at the next general meeting.

It was proposed by Miss Catherine McTavish and seconded by Miss Pat McCrystal that the club should be named PEGASUS meaning; - 

Physical Education Girls And Students of the Ulster college and Stranmillis

 

The First Committee consisted of the following people; -

President Miss Anna Richmond

Vice-President Miss Catherine McTavish

Hon Secretary Mrs Hilary O’Neill

Hon Treasurer Miss Maureen Bennett

1st XI Captain Miss Joan McCandless

1961-63 

In the Club’s first season 1961-62 Pegasus 1st XI won both the Grant Cup (Qualifying League) and the McConnell Shield.

In 1963 at Easter the Club went on its first Social Hockey Tour, on this occasion the venue being Scotland. The force behind many of these early tours was Mrs Hilary O’Neill. Another popular tour was the Weymouth Hockey Festival.

1965 - 66

The first Pegasus players were selected for representative honours; -

Margaret Collins Ulster Senior

Pat Archer Ulster Reserves

Joan McCloy Ulster Juniors

Pegasus has produced players for Ulster, Ireland and Great Britain at all levels.

1966 - 67

The Club won the Ulster Shield for the first time and the first Pegasus Player was selected for Ireland, Miss Sandra Wylie.

1967 - 68

The Club completed their first double winning both the Senior League and the Ulster Shield.

1968 - 69

This season the 2nd XI won the McConnell Shield and became the first team in the club to win an All Ireland winning the White Cup. The 1st XI completed their second double winning both the Senior League and the Ulster Shield.

Also at the end of this season Miss Anna Richmond the first Pegasus President stepped down it was unanimously carried that Miss Richmond should become a Life Member.

1969-70

The 2nd XI won the Qualifying League (Grant Cup) outright for the first time they also won the McConnell Shield for the second time. The 1st XI shared the Senior League with Portadown.

During Easter in 1970 two teams competed in and won the Cross Cup in Galway, some students from UCPE helped make up the numbers and the cup was shared by UCPE and Pegasus.

1970-71

In this season both the1st XI sharing with Mid Antrim and the 2nd XI won their respective leagues.

1971-72

This season will be remembered for the first tour to the continent and resulted in our first success in “Europe”, the tour a long weekend in Arnhem, Holland, organised by Miss Moya Bullick and Miss Sandra Jamieson, playing 7 matches in three days, winning six and drawing one, winning the Ladies Section outright.

The 2nd XI won the Grant Cup for the third successive season.

This season was also momentous in that Pegasus supplied the Captain of the Irish Senior Team and Ulster Senior Team, Mrs Sandra Millar nee Wylie, and the Captain of the Ulster Reserves, Miss Moya Bullick and Vice Captain Miss Stephanie Lynas.

1972-73

This season saw the 1st XI win the Ulster Shield for the 4th time, and the 2nd XI completing their first ‘clean sweep’ sharing the Grant Cup with Queens and winning the McConnell Shield and the White Cup for the 2nd time.

Mrs Sandra Millar again Captained Ireland and Ulster, Mrs Pat Wilkinson Captained Ulster Reserves and Miss Mary Stewart Ulster Juniors.

Miss Catherine McTavish Umpired England V Ireland at Wembley in the year of Ireland’s first Victory over England.

August also saw a tour to Canada.

Mrs Sandra Millar our first International left Northern Ireland for Scotland.

1973-74

This must be seen as the most successful season during the first 20 years of Pegasus.

The 1st XI completing their first ‘clean sweep’ when they won the Senior League and the Ulster Shield for the fifth time, and also the All Ireland Senior Cup for the first time.

The 2nd XI completed their second ‘clean sweep’ winning the Grant Cup for the fifth successive season, the McConnell Shield for the fourth time and the All Ireland White Cup for the third time.

The 3rd XI won their first title winning the Qualifying B League

1974-75

This season saw the 2nd XI competing in the Senior League for the first time and also the Ulster Shield making their presence felt by holding Ards to a draw on three occasions, before beating them to go in to the 2nd round where Mid Antrim defeated them and it was also the first season we where able to field a 4th XI, for friendlies. The 1st XI retained the Ulster Shield for the third successive season.

1975-76

The 1st XI won the Senior League and the Ulster Shield; the 2nd XI finished equal 4th in the Senior League. 1976 also saw a “highly successful” club tour to Bermuda in the Caribbean once again organised by Moya Bullick.

1976-77

The 1st XI collected the only silverware winning the Senior League.

At representative level Jenny Givan and Hilary Brady where members of the Irish team which won the Triple Crown. Miss Catherine McTavish the Pegasus President was President of Ulster and Ireland and found time to coach the successful Ulster Squad as well!

1977 - 78

Was seen as a history making season when Hazel Winning was the first non-teacher to join the club, and Jenny Givan brought tremendous honour to the club by being chosen to play for Great Britain and being included in the Olympic Squad for the Games in Moscow.

The 1st XI won the Senior League for the second successive season, beat their “old rivals” Portadown in the Ulster Shield and went on to beat Cork Church of Ireland 3 - 0 in the All Ireland Cup, qualifying for the European Cup, for the first time.

The 3rd XI became the third team in the Club to lift the Grant Cup, Qualifying League when they became joint winners with North Down.

Anne Stewart became Honorary Club Secretary and she liked it so much that she did it for the next 10 years!

A “social” tour to the Far East was the highlight for many players.

1978 - 79

The 1st XI won the Ulster Shield, narrowly defeating our own 2nd XI in the semi-final.

Jenny Givan was made Vice-captain of the Great Britain Squad.

Our first venture into European Hockey found us in The Hague, Holland, in the play-off for 5th - 6th place we defeated the German Champions 1 - 0 thus finishing 5th overall.

1979 - 80

The 1st XI won the Senior Plate for the first time, defeating our own 2nd XI in the semi-final, once again.

Miss Catherine McTavish made the Guinness Book of Records by becoming the first woman to umpire Centre Court at Wimbledon.

Maggie Gleghorne brought further honour on the Club by joining Jenny Givan on the Great Britain Olympic Squad.

This years “social” tour maintained the globetrotting exploits of previous years when California, USA was the venue.

1980 - 81

The Club is 21 years old, Moya Gibson was made Club Coach, the 1st XI celebrated by winning the Ulster Shield and the All Ireland Cup, and rumour has it that the celebrations culminated in an afternoon’s entertainment in the Shelbourne.

The 3rd XI finished second in the league and won the Qualifying Plate.

Jenny Givan again showed what a talent she was, when selected to play for a World XI. This season we also supplied four coaches for representative teams, Catherine McTavish - Ulster Senior, Hilary Brady - Ulster Intermediates, Moya Gibson - Irish Shamrocks, Hilary O’Neill - Ulster & Ireland Under 23.

Pegasus played in Section 1 of the Ulster Indoor league finishing 4th.

1981 - 82

The 1st XI won the Senior League and the Ulster Shield.

In the Indoor league we finished 2nd in Division 1.

At the European Cup in Bra, Italy, one of the many highlights was Anne Whittock’s tremendous goal keeping which earned us a 1 - 1 draw with Amsterdam Ladies.

In the play-off for 3rd - 4th place we lost to the Russians on penalty strokes, thus finishing 4th overall.

1982 - 83

Success this year was provided by the Indoor squad winning Division 1of the league and narrowly losing in the final of the All Ireland Club Championships.

At representative level we had 9 players on the Ulster Senior Squad, 2 players on the victorious Irish Senior Squad, winners of the Intercontinental Cup, which took place in Kuala Lumpur and 3 Players on the Ulster & Irish Indoor Squads. Maggie Gleghorne and Eilish Macken played for the Ulster & Irish Senior Squad and the Ulster and Irish Indoor Squads, Maggie captained the Irish Senior Squad and both Indoor Squads, Moya Gibson was Manager of the Irish Senior Squad.

1983 - 84

Catherine McTavish retired from Stranmillis College. The 1st XI won the Ulster Shield and qualified for the All Ireland Finals where they defeated Portadown, Waterford and Cork Catholic Institute, qualifying for the 1985 European Club Championships.

Our first ever 4th XI was entered in the Minor Cup, which they won, was this the start of the “Golden Oldies”?

The indoor squad were runners-up in division 1 and finished 3rd in the All Ireland Championships.

Eilish Macken took over the captaincy of the Irish Senior Squad and the Ulster Indoor Squad.

1984 - 85

The 1st XI shared the Senior League with Portadown, lost in the Ulster Shield final to Portadown and lost in the All Ireland Final to Portadown.

In the European Club Championships, in Germany, in the play-off for 5th - 6th place we beat Glasgow Western 4 - 2 thus finishing 5th overall.

The 2nd XI won their first “Senior Trophy” beating Grosvenor in the Senior Plate final.

The 4th XI retained the Minor Cup, although they shared it with Ballymoney.

We presented Annadale with a New Trophy for the Ladies section of their Harp Breakthrough Tournament, which we then won for the 9th time.

In the Indoor League we won division 1 and Maggie Sloan was the Leagues Top Goal Scorer. We also won the UU Indoor Tournament and Maggie Sloan was Player of the Tournament.

Hilary O’Neill became the second Pegasus member to be elected President of the UWHU.

1985 - 86

The 25 Anniversary Dinner of the Club was held in the Beechlawn, organised by Helen Martin and Sandra Jamieson. The Club’s Constitution was amended to allow schoolgirls to join and a limited numbers of girls over 19 years of age.

The Senior League was split this season the 1st XI won Section 1 and the Senior Plate. The 2nd XI finished 6th in Section 2.

The Indoor team was undefeated, winning Division 1 and the All Ireland Indoor Club Championship for the first time.

We also had our first Ulster Schools representative, Diana Cochrane.

1986 - 87

The 1st XI went through the season undefeated, winning the Senior League for the 12th time, the Ulster Shield for the 13th time and the All Ireland Cup for the 5th time.

The 4th XI won the Minor Plate.

The Senior Indoor squad finished runners-up in the League and the All Ireland Club Championships.

Our newly formed Under 19 Indoor squad won their section of the League and finished runners-up overall.

Maggie Gleghorne, Glynis Taylor, Maggie Sloan and Noelle Brannigan retired from the Irish Senior Squad.

Eilish Macken captained both the Ulster and Irish Indoor Squads, Alma McCormick was the first Pegasus player to play for the Ulster U21 Squad and she also captained the Under 19 Ulster Indoor squad.

1987 - 88

The 1st XI won the Senior League and the Ulster Shield, but the highlight of the season, was the squad’s Gold Medal wining success in the European Club Championships B Division held in Gothenburg, Sweden.

The 2nd XI returned to Qualifying League Section 1 finishing third, and were defeated 1 - 0 by Portadown 2 A’s in the McConnell Shield final.

The Senior Indoor squad finished runners-up in the League but won the All Ireland Club Championships.

This was the first season that we had representative players on every Ulster squad, from Senior to Under 16 level, Indoor and Outdoor, providing four Captains, Alma Hanley - Under 21, Julie Brown - U18, Laura Brown - Under 16, all outdoor and Eilish Macken Ulster & Irish Indoor.

At Irish level, Pegasus had its first Schoolgirl Internationals Claire Samways and Lindsay Haslett Under 18 squad and Laura Brown Under 16 squad.

Joan McCloy became the 3rd Pegasus Member to become President of the UWHU, and in umpiring Janice Brown gained her “A” Badge.

1988 - 89

The 1st XI again completed the “clean sweep”, winning the Senior League, Ulster Shield and the All Ireland Cup.

The 2nd XI finished runners-up in the League, qualifying for the Costley Cup finishing runners-up and shared the Qualifying Plate with Banbridge.

The 4th XI won Minor League Section 1, losing only one match, gaining promotion to the Junior League.

The 5th XI better known as the “Golden Oldies” shared the Minor Cup with Larne.

At Indoor level the U21 squad won their league.

1989 - 90

The 1st XI won the Senior Plate and finished third in the League.

In the European Club Championships A Division in Frankfurt, Germany, in the play-off for 5th - 6th place, against Ealing, fulltime resulted in a scoreless draw in the penalty shoot we ran out winners 4 - 3, finishing in 5th place overall.

The 2nd XI finished runners-up in the League, qualifying for the Costley Cup in Cork winning the trophy for the first time.

The 4th XI finished joint winners of Junior League Section 3.

The 5th XI retained the Minor Cup beating Ballyclare in the final.

At Indoor level the U21 squad retained their league title, undefeated, this was partly due to the excellent coaching and hard work of Jane Thompson.

The 1st XI also won the prestigious NICPR award for Team of the Year.

Jenny Redpath was awarded the “Winifred Templeton Award” for her services to women's hockey presented by the UWHU.

1990 - 91

This successful season was marred by the tragic death of Jane Thompson, player, club coach and 1st XI squad coach.

The 1st XI won the Senior League. In the first All Ireland League play-offs, played in a “round robin” format, the results went as follows;

v Cork Harlequins won 4 - 1

v Greenfields won 8 - 0

v Old Alex won 1 - 0

therefore the 1st XI won the play-offs qualifying for the European Club Championships in 1992.

The 2nd XI won Qualifying League Section 1 and the McConnell Shield for the first time in 17 years. They also finished runners-up in the White Cup.

The 3rd XI finished fourth in Qualifying League Section 2.

The 4th XI finished third in Junior League Section 2, gaining promotion for the third season in succession.

The “Golden Oldies” now the 6th XI retained the Minor Cup.

At Indoor level the U21 squad retained their league title for the third season in succession.

On the Representative Coaching front Jenny Redpath coached the Ulster Senior Squad for the fifth successive season, Anne Whittock coached the Ulster U21 for the sixth successive season and Erika Henry coached the Ulster U16 for the first time.

Joan McCloy became the third Pegasus member to be President of the ILHU.

Janice Browne was put forward for FIH grading in Umpiring and Jenny Redpath received the British Institute of Sports Coaches, Coach of the Year Award.

1991 - 92

The 1st XI won the Irish Senior Cup.

The 2nd XI won the League and the Costley Cup for the second time.

The “Golden Oldies” now the 6th XI retained the Minor Cup.

Janice Browne received her FIH Umpires grading.

In the European Club Championships A Division, in Amsterdam, Holland, in the 7th - 8th play-off we lost to Stade Francais on penalty strokes.

1992 - 93

The highlight for the 1st XI was winning the European Cup Winners Cup B Division in Amiens, France.

The 2nd XI retained the League and won the McConnell Shield. In the White Cup an eventful weekend in Kinsale, Cork saw the 2nd XI win the Cup for the first time in 19 years, the celebrations went on into the early hours and involved a jacuzzi, Keith Floyd and some well known English Rugby Players (not all at the same time).

The 4th XI won the Junior Plate.

Yes, the “Golden Oldies” did it again in the Minor Plate.

Claire Samways won the Delta Airlines “Olympic Award” for her contribution to Irish Ladies Hockey.

1993 - 94

The 2nd XI shared the League with Collegians.

The “Golden Oldies” beat Saintfield 2 - 1 in the Minor Cup final.

Claire McMahon obtained her first Irish Senior Cap; Arlene Thompson captained both the Ulster & Irish Under 21 squads.

Erika Henry coached both the Ulster & Irish Under 16 squads.

Eilish Macken stepped down as coach after 3 years and Glynis Taylor took over as 1st & 2nd XI squad coach.

1994 - 95

The 1st XI won the Irish Cup and finished runners-up in the League.

The 2nd XI won the Costley Cup and the league.

The Ulster Indoor League was wrapped up this season and the Indoor Squad bowed out as Indoor Champions.

Erika Henry was awarded Coach of the Year in the category Female Coach - Team Performance, in recognition of her success as Coach to the Ulster and Irish Under 16 squads.

1995 - 96

“Glynis Taylor’s Red & Grey Army” what a season. The 1st XI squad won the League, the Ulster Shield and the Irish Senior Cup.

The 2nd XI won the League, the McConnell Shield, the Costley Cup and in the first year of an “open draw” in the Irish Junior Cup (White Cup) final beat Enniscorthy 2 - 0 to complete an unprecedented “clean sweep” of Junior Trophies.

In Rotterdam, Holland at the European Cup Winners Cup A Division, in the play-off for 5th - 6th place we beat the Italian team a somewhat convincing 8 - 0 finishing 5th overall.

1996 - 97

The 1st XI retained the Ulster Shield.

In Utrecht, Holland at the European Cup Winners Cup A Division, in the play-off for 3rd - 4th place we lost to the Germans, finishing 4th overall.

The 2nd XI did it again a “clean sweep” of all four Junior Trophies, winning the League, the McConnell Shield, the Costley Cup and the Irish Junior Cup (White Cup). The 1st XI received the Belfast Telegraph Northern Ireland Sports Team of the Year Award, for last season’s successes.

Glynis Taylor won the Coach of the Year Award.

Joy Henry received her “B” badge for umpiring.

This season was marred by the untimely death of three Club Stalwarts. Founder member Hilary O’Neill, Helen Martin and Margaret Hamill. Arthur O’Neill presented the Club with a Presidential Chain of Office, in memory of Hilary.

1997 - 98

The 1st XI delivered this season in spectacular style, winning the League, Ulster Shield Irish Senior Cup and All Ireland League Play-offs, completing an unprecedented “clean sweep” of Senior Trophies.

The 2nd XI won the League and McConnell Shield.

Glynis Taylor stepped down as coach to take on a new role as Assistant Irish Senior Coach.

1998 - 99

The 1st XI won the League, the Ulster Shield and All Ireland League Play-offs.

The 2nd XI won the League and the McConnell Shield.

In Milan, Italy at the European Club Championships B Division, in the play-off for 1st - 2nd place we beat the Stade Francais team 3 - 1 to win the tournament outright.

The 3rd XI shared Qualifying League Section 4 with Owls, gaining promotion to Section 3.

1999 - 2000

The 1st XI won the League, the Ulster Shield and the All Ireland League Play-offs.

The 2nd XI won the League, the Costley Cup and the Irish Junior Cup defeating Kilkenny quite convincingly 8 - 1.

In Glasgow, Scotland at the European Club Championships A Division, we finished 8th overall.

2000 - 2001

The 1st XI, Captained by Claire Samways, have won the League and the Ulster Shield, and for the fourth year in succession the All Ireland League Play-off title.. They also won the Millennium Trophy organised by Annadale Hockey Club.

At the European B Division in Prague, Czech Republic we finished 4^th.

 

 

 

The 2nd XI, Captained by Christine Rabbitt, (somewhat depleted after the loss of eight players) won the McConnell Shield, defeating North Down 2nd XI in extra time 3 - 2.

The 3rd XI, Captained by Sue Foreman, had an excellent and sometimes “hectic” season finishing runners-up in Section 3 of the Qualifying League to gain promotion to Section 2.

The 4th XI, Captained by Vikki McIlroy finished mid-table.

This season also saw the launch of the Pegasus Hockey Club website, 

Joan McCloy became the First President of the newly formed Irish Hockey Association.

The 40^th Anniversary Reunion Dinner held in the Culloden was a huge success.

 

2001 – 2002

For the first time all 3 senior teams are playing in the highest leagues possible.

The 1^st XI Captained by Claire McGookin won the League for the 21^st time by 7 points from Ballymoney, the Ulster Shield was also retained for the 7^th year in succession and for the 22^nd

time in our history beating Ballymoney 4-0 in the final. In the All Ireland League Play Offs 3 fine wins over Cork Harlequins 5-1, Loreto 4-1 and Hermes 3-1 saw us retain the trophy for the fifth year in succession. In Europe we finished 2^nd in the B Division in Vienna, Austria securing A

Division status for next season, Claire McMahon was Player of the Tournament

The 2^nd XI Captained by Michelle Rainey shared the League with Belfast Harlequins but having

won the Play Off represented Ulster in the Costley Cup in Cork securing victory to bring the cup north again.  In the McConnell Shield final a Hat trick from Michelle secured a 3-1 win over Lurgan.

The 3^rd XI Captained by Alyson Crompton finished Runners up in Section 2 of the League and

narrowly lost 1-0 in the McConnell Shield semi to our own 2’s. Sam Richardson GK won Peugeot 206 qualifying League Player of the Month

Pegasus first official “Veterans” team entered in the league shared 1^st spot with Belfast

Harlequins and Violet McBride was Player of the Year.

 

2002-03

Arlene Boyles 123 caps and Karen Humphreys 100 caps have both retired from International Hockey.

 

2003-04

 

2004-05

 

2005-06

 

2006-07

 

2007-08

 

2008-09

 

2009-10

 

2010-11

The 1st XI and coach Michelle Rainey did the "double" in All Ireland Competitions winning both the Irish Hockey League (IHL) and Irish Senior Cup (ISC). Suzanne Beaney picked up Top goal scorer in IHL and Player of the Tournament, she was also Belfast Telegraph Sports Women of the Year. Sharon Moffett was GK of the tournament in the IHL and Michelle Rainey became Irish Hockey Association Coach of the Year.

 

2011-12

The 1st XI won the Ulster Shield and Premier League. Back in Europe for the 18th time we agreed to host at the impressive new facilities at Queen's Sport, a very successful tournament at Easter saw the 1st XI crowned EuroHockey Club Champions Trophy Belfast 2012 Winners, the team also shared the Fair Play Trophy with Grove(SCO) and Sharon Moffett was GK of the Tournament. The Junior club went from strength to strength the Clubmark NI Award was achieved the club having met quality standards in Effective Management, Quality Coaching and Competition and Safety in Sport. Michelle Rainey was awarded the Winifred Templeton Award by the UHU and the Club was UHU Club of the Year. June 9th saw us celebrate 50 Years of Pegasus with a Gala Ball at Belfast City Hall.

 

2012-13

 

2013-14

 

2014-15

 

2015-16

The 1s finished 2nd in the EYHL behind Monkstown. The beat Railway Union 2-0 in the semi final, and in the final lost 3-1 to Monkstown.

The 1s travelled to Bilthoven, Netherlands finishing 8th in the Eurohockey Club Cup.

The 2s won the league Jun 1 taking maximum points from their last 3 games. 

The 3s finished 3rd in Jun 3. The 4s secured their place in Jun 6.

 

2016-17

The 1s finished 6th in the EYHL. 

The 1s travelled to Munich, Germany .

The 2s won the league Jun 1 taking maximum points from their last 3 games. 

The 3s finished 3rd in Jun 3. The 4s secured their place in Jun 6.

 

2017-18

The 1s finished 3rd in the EYHL, ensuring a place in the EYChampions Trophy. A tough game with Cork Harlequins finished 2-2 with Cork winning the shoot out 3-1 to put them in the final with Loreto. 

The 1s reached the final of the ISC losing 4-0 to UCD.

The 2s finished runners up to Queens in the league Jun 1 and won the McConnell Shield against Belfast Harlequins 2-2 winning in a shoot out 3-1. 

The 3s finished 3rd in Jun 3. The 4s secured their place in Jun 6.

Shirley McCay, Ayeisha McFerran and Arlene Boyles (Manager) secured Silver Medals at the Hockey World Cup 2018 in London, losing to the Netherlands in the final. Ayeisha picked up a well deserved GK of the Tournament, and Shirley and Ayeisha also both picked up player of the match awards in the groups games. No Irish team in any sport has ever reached a World Cup Final, some achievement. 

 

2018-19

The 1s became the first Ulster Ladies Club to win the EYHL, ensuring a place in the EY Champions Trophy. In the EY Champions Trophy semi-final they won 2-1 against Cork Harlequins going throught to face Loreto in the Final. The final finished 1-1 in the subsequent shoot-out we converted 4 to win 4-2 with Megan Todd picking up a deserved GK of the Tournament. The 1s became the first Ulster Ladies Club to win both the EY Hockey League and the EY Champions Trophy, and in 2020 will be Irelands first representatives in the EHL EuroHockey League. The 1s also added the Denman Ulster Shield to round off a fine season defeating Belfast Harlequins in a shoot-out. They also picked up the Team of the Year at the Belfast City Council Sports Awards.

The 2s finished 3rd in the league and lost out in the McConnell Shield and IJC semi-finals.

The 3s finished 3rd in the league and won the Intermediate Cup for the first time with a 5-1 victory over Rainey.

The 4s finished 5th in the league.

 

 

We have tried to ensure that this information is accurate. We would welcome any additions or amendments!