The past week has seen multiple successes for some of our Railway hockey club members who have moved away from Park Avenue to pursue hockey and wider ambitions elsewhere. First, our former member Billy Alexander won his third Gold Medal at the Chelsea Flower Show (and his fourth medal overall at the prestigious event). Three Gold Medals in five years is a tremendous achievement for Billy, owner of Kells Bay House & Gardens in Cahersiveen, Co. Kerry, and his love of ferns has shone through again with his display.

Irish Gardener wins Gold Medal

Then, at the weekend, two of members playing overseas - Michelle and Niamh Carey - featured for Braxgata HC in Belgium in the National Finals as they defeated rivals Gantoise over a two legged final. Winning the first game in closely fought contest 1-0, Braxgata went into the second leg on Sunday knowing that a draw would suffice to see the team through to the Final 8 in the Euro Hockey League Finals next year. The game was a tense 0–0 draw but this was enough for Braxgata to hold on to their first-leg advantage and be crowned Belfius Women’s League winners. Congratulations to Michelle and Niamh and see you both at the Euro Hockey League Finals next year.

Single goal earns Braxgata a memorable title win