The combination of March’s Olympic qualifiers and the presence of Hermes and YMCA in the IHL semi-finals has seen the wildcard playoffs moved back a fortnight, creating an unfortunate for UCC, who are both the men’s and women’s representatives from Munster.

With a number of players exam-tied, the women have pulled out of the tournament while the Irish Hockey Association agreed to a request from the men’s side to play both their games tomorrow to ensure their participation. That leaves both competitions to be played out by three sides with two to qualify.

UCC celebrate Roger Gray's goal during the IHT final. Gray will miss the IHL wildcard playoffs this weekend, where College taking on YMCA and Instonians on the same day. Picture: Adrian Boehm

The Cork students, already carrying the underdog tag, are still likely to be left short on firepower up front with Roger Gray and Malcolm Coombes both set to miss out while Fionn O’Leary is only half-fit having been sidelined by a shoulder injury.

They are therefore likely to give their all against Instonians in their first game at Belfield (12pm) and hope to sneak a result before battening down the hatches against YMCA later in the day (4pm).

Inst and YM will then meet on Sunday, albeit at a different venue in Banbridge’s Havelock Park; this could ultimately prove to be a dead rubber however, if both sides prevail against the students on Saturday.

UCC can at least get some insight on the Inst challenge from fellow Munster men Cork Harlequins, who beat the Belfast outfit 4-3 en route to their memorable Irish Senior Cup success last weekend.

Meanwhile, Hermes will be unbackable favourites to win out in the women’s wildcards, which also feature Galway and Ards but no Munster side since UCC pulled out.

This season’s IHL semi-finalists have a side laden with stars but they could only finish fifth domestically as they struggled without their Irish international contingent.

The weekend’s crucial tie is likely to be Galway’s meeting with Ards on Saturday; a Connacht side has never qualified for the IHL but the westerners have a side backboned by players with underage international experience and will be quietly hopeful of shocking the Ulster girls.

Irish Hockey League Wildcards

Men

Saturday, UCD: UCC v Instonians, 12pm; UCC v YMCA, 4pm. Sunday, Banbridge: Instonians v YMCA, 2.30pm.

Women

Friday, UCD: Hermes v Galway, 8pm; Saturday, UCD: Ards v Galway, 2pm; Sunday, Banbridge: Hermes v Ards, 12.30pm

For those who were unable to make it to Belfield, Ronan has sent on his words from the day to SFH to extend his thanks to all who have offered their support:

“Mr President, wonderful friends in Hockey, on behalf of my son Chris, his mother Suzanne and our families, I wish to publicly thank you for the incredible support given to us during Chris’s recent traumatic illness.

“Please pass on our sincere thanks to anyone kind enough to enquire and assure them that their support is very much appreciated.

“Throughout this crisis, the hockey community has overwhelmed us with support through texts, e-mails and enquiries to family and friends. We are particularly bowled over by the response to “The Friends of Chris Pelow Fund” set up by Corinthian HC to help with still indeterminate costs. Our thanks to all for their wonderful generosity, organising and contributing to this initiative.

Chris Pelow: Corinthians man suffered a traumatic illness while in Australia and was forced to have the lower half of one of his legs amputated. Picture: Adrian Boehm

“Today, I can truly say that Hockey Connections saved Chris’s life. From day one his medical care has been in the hands of friends, fellow members of his hockey club, Sydney Uni. His surgeon Sanjeev Gupta, is a past 1st grade player who now plays masters.

“Sydney University HC, together with you the Irish hockey community, prove my long held belief that nothing surpasses hockey as a sport and as a support structure.

“The friendship shown by SUHC has been extraordinary, in particular Moylo, Crenno, Dags, Andy, but so many others too, they’ve all rallied round and have been a fantastic support not only to Chris but to his mother and I. Without this our time in Sydney would have been even more difficult.

“Chris has many really good friends, two happened to be on the ground with him as this crisis unfolded, Ian Slattery and Mark Willis both also past pupils of Wesley College. They stood with him like true friends do giving Chris vital support while he awaited our arrival. At home here Henry Micks, Iain Walker and others who helped drive fundraising efforts, of which we were unaware till much later.

“While in RPA Hospital Chris was granted a four year work visa, having been sponsored by his employers TRC Group, to whom I would like to pay tribute for the support they have shown him. His job is secure and they want him back at his desk when he’s ready. This is of enormous psychological help giving Chris a tangible goal to aim for.

“Through social media ,Facebook and Twitter, Chris kept his friends (and the world) informed of his situation, often without us realising it, the support derived has been a great help.

“During the past few weeks, Chris has enjoyed being back in Dublin amongst family and friends. He delighted in watching Corinthian II win the IJC for the first time, just five days after coming home – a great homecoming party – well done lads.

“Chris returns to Sydney at the end of the month to continue his re-hab to regain full mobility, independence and importantly, to return to work

“I’ve no doubt that he will have much to contend with both physically and mentally, but if these past few months are anything to go by, he’s up for these challenges helped by continuing support from Hockey Connections here, in Sydney and beyond.

“Thank you one and all.”

Their stunning 4-3 win over Railway Union in the decider at Belfield matched the scoreline of their semi-final defeat of Instonians less than 24 hours earlier, completing one of the unlikeliest hockey success stories in recent years.

Back in the 2000s, Quins lost three ISC finals in four years before finally breaking their duck with victory over Lisnagarvey in the 2006 decider, the first title in their history.

Mark Black is surrounded by his Cork Harlequins team-mates after their Irish Senior Cup victory over Railway Union. Picture: Adrian Boehm

But since reaching the semis in 2007, the Leesiders seemed to be in a major decline, relinquishing their stranglehold in Munster to Cork C of I while failing to make any impression in either of the showpiece national competitions.

With half the squad in their 30s and little in the way of youth emerging, to replace them, it seemed like their goose was cooked. But Phil Oakley came on board as coach and masterminded the return of the Munster title to Farmer’s Cross over the past two seasons. Yesterday, though, was the coup de grace.

Quins wouldn’t have been in anyone’s reckoning for a spot at the finals weekend, let alone to win it outright. But consecutive home victories over Annadale and Banbridge in the earlier rounds got them there, still considered rank outsiders but with a relatively favourable draw against Instonians.

The Belfast side led three times on Saturday, but Paul Gleghorne’s pair of drag-flicks were matched by two from John Hobbs, while Quins’ David Egner and Inst’s Mark Irwin swapped tap-ins.

But Dan Hobbs won it five minutes from time to send Quins into a decider against Railway Union, who had shocked Irish Hockey League winners Lisnagarvey 3-2 in the other semi.

Nine of the Quins panel were survivors of the 2006 win, a marked contrast to a Railway side fielding four teenagers and renowned for the speed of their counter-attack.

Quins had privately feared they wouldn’t have the legs to survive two high-octane games in 24 hours but, somehow, they did it. Rob Abbott gave Railway an early lead but David Egner swept in for 1-1 after Paul Lombard capitalised on an error. When Karl Chapple picked up a rebound off Chris Daunt’s pads for 2-1, it seemed like Railway would pull away.

But while the Dubliners – gunning for a first title since 1938 – continued a crash ball tactic that Quins dealt brilliantly with, the Cork side mugged them at the other end as Dan Hobbs slung two penalty corners in as many minutes through Stephen O’Keeffe’s defences in for 3-2.

It got even better as Colin Ross volleyed home a third-phase rebound after Egner had hit the bar. Although Peter English nailed a penalty stroke with three minutes to go for a grandstand finish, Quins showed their experience to wind the clock down for a famous victory.

Having seen brother Jason life the trophy in 2006, it was Mark Black’s turn this time. The former Irish international duo are among a phalanx of Quins players rumoured to be retiring, but with a first appearance in the EuroHockey League on the horizon in the autumn, Mark admitted he may need to reconsider.

“I was planning on retiring, but we’ll have to revisit that one. Another year in us? The EHL should be interesting!” he said.

“I can’t believe it. It’s amazing for the club, for lads like David Eakins who has been playing 14 years, in his fourth Irish Senior Cup final and had never won one. It’s been a long journey for some of us, but this is the prize.

“I never expected us to be back in this arena. If you said at the start of the year we’d be winning the Irish Senior Cup, I wouldn’t have put money on it.”

He also paid tribute to coach Oakley: “Phil’s dedication with us has been massive. It’s been a learning curve for him, too, it being the first men’s side he has coached. We’ve worked well as a team together. A couple of the older heads have been helping Phil along, too, and he has a big future ahead of him.”

It was also a day to remember for UCD, who beat Loreto 3-2 in the women’s final.

Just one player — captain Laura Wilson — remains from their breakthrough success in 2009, but Johnny Harte has some serious young Irish international talent at his disposal, including Anna O’Flanagan, who hit the winner five minutes from time.

For Loreto, it was yet more heartbreak just eight days after they lost the IHL final to Railway Union, where they saw a last-minute equaliser contentiously chalked off.

Irish Senior Cup finals weekend

Men

Final: Cork Harlequins 4 (Dan Hobbs 2, David Egner, Colin Ross) Railway Union 3 (Rob Abbott, Karl Chapple, Peter English); Semi-finals: Cork Harlequins 4 (John Hobbs 2, Dan Hobbs, David Egner) Instonians 3 (Paul Gleghorne 2, Mark Irwin); Railway Union 3 (Peter English, Karl Chapple, Mark English) Lisnagarvey 2 (Andy Forrest, Timmy Cockram).

Women

Final: UCD 3 (Niamh Atcheler, Rachel O’Reilly, Anna O’Flanagan) Loreto 2 (Hannah Matthews, Nicci Daly). Semi-finals: Loreto 4 (Niamh Small, Sarah Clarke, Nikki Keegan, Hayley Mulcahy) Queen’s University 1 (Claire Allison); Railway Union 1 (Cecila Joyce) UCD 2 (Nicola Gray, Chloe Watkins).

See The Hook for more detailed, first-hand reports of the men’s semi-finals, women’s semi-finals and women’s final. 

Few inside or outside Farmer’s Cross would have put the men in black and white down as likely semi-finalists at the start of this campaign, having been missing from the business end of national competition since their breakthrough ISC victory in 2006.

That marvellous 2-1 success over Lisnagarvey got a monkey off their backs, having lost three of the four previous finals, but they haven’t featured at this stage of world hockey’s oldest club tournament since a controversial semi-final defeat to Glenanne in 2007.

Eddie Gash, Lee d'Alton and David Harte celebrate Cork Harlequins' Irish Senior Cup victory over Lisnagarvey in 2006. Picture: Inpho/Donall Farmer

But now, having dispatched Ulster opponents Banbridge and Annadale in home ties to get there, Munster’s double-winners are back where they want to be, locking horns with Instonians  in tomorrow’s semi-final at Belfield (5pm).

Amazingly, there are no shortage of links to the 2006 vintage. Eight of the current Quins panel were involved that day, with two more unused substitutes, highlighting the longevity of the likes of the Black and Lombard brothers but also the shortage of youth injected into the side in recent seasons.

With the ISC now played out in a finals weekend format, that could leave Quins – who are set to welcome back drag-flicker Dan Hobbs after a recent injury – potentially short on legs if they reach Sunday’s decider against either Lisnagarvey or Railway Union.

But when it comes to top-level know-how, Quins have a bank of experience only ‘Garvey can come close to matching, with Brian Waring, Mark Raphael, Timmy Cockram and Stevie Arbuthnot all survivors from six years ago.

Coach Phil Oakley and his players won’t be thinking that far ahead. Oakley has Quins playing smart hockey which relies on speed of passing and off-the-ball movement and has been rewarded with the last two Munster Senior League titles at Cork Church of Ireland’s expense.

Drawing Instonians in the last four will have been met with quiet hope by Quins fans – even those who have memories of Inst’s extra-time victory over Quins in the 2004 ISC final.

The Cork men recorded their sole Irish Hockey League victory this season against the Shaw’s Bridge outfit, who haven’t had to leave Belfast in seeing off North Down, Mossley and NICS – where they required a last-minute Julian Lewis winner – to get this far.

Complacency certainly won’t be on the Quins agenda though. Mark Irwin and Paul Gleghorne offer bags of classy Irish international experience in the spine of the side while William Robinson, Chris Kirk and Irish Unis man James Corry all offer big threats – not to mention Steven Redpath, who hit a memorable IHL goal against Quins a few seasons back.

The meeting of ‘Garvey and Railway in the other semi-final (3pm) is equally intriguing, providing as it does a serious giant-killing opportunity for Railway.

The Park Avenue outfit, backboned by Kenny Carroll, Rob Abbott and Peter and Mark English, are arguably Ireland’s most improved side – and are certainly among the most hard-working.

They were Leinster’s top goalscorers this term, have secured IHL hockey for the first time and have been hugely impressive in hitting 19 goals in three games as they saw off Glenanne, Three Rock and South Antrim en route to the last four.

‘Garvey will nonetheless start as unbackable favourites having annexed a first IHL title last weekend, with tournament MVP Timmy Cockram in ruthless goalscoring form, and they are determined to complete a rare national double.

Cork Harlequins' David Lombard clashes with Mark Irwin of Instonians during the sides' 2004 Irish Senior Cup final meeting. Picture: Inpho/Donall Farmer

Whoever wins that one will also be heavily backed to go on to win Sunday’s decider – not least due to an extra two hours’ rest. But given the ravages of time could see Quins in transition over the next few seasons, few will match the Leesiders for motivation to create another fairytale.

The women’s Irish Senior Cup semi-finals bring the tantalising prospect of a repeat of Sunday’s IHL final between Railway and Loreto, although UCD in particular will hope to have something to say about that.

Railway head into their clash with the Belfielders on a high after securing their second national title in three seasons, and can bring the confidence of having gone unbeaten in normal time throughout this season.

They’ve never won this title and have reached just one final, in 2010 when they went down to – you’ve guessed it – Loreto on penalty strokes.

But UCD have the confidence of having pipped Railway to the Leinster title on goals scored, and although the majority of the side who won a shock ISC crown in 2009 have moved on, they have a phalanx of Irish international talent to call upon.

Loreto will be unbackable favourites to advance against a Queen’s side who have hit the goal trail in a major way as the tournament’s surprise package, despite an average domestic campaign which saw them finish sixth in Ulster’s top tier.

Joanne Orr and Hannah McMillan are the major goal-getters for the Belfast students but Loreto have an axe to grind after seeing a last-gasp IHL final equaliser chalked off, and should have enough class throughout to execute an effective backlash.

Though not involved themselves, Armagh are sure to have an eye on the finals weekend as they have the rare distinction of seeing former members of the club involved in all four semi-final sides.

Irish Senior Cup finals weekend, Belfield

Saturday: Women’s semi-finals: UCD v Railway Union, 10.30am; Loreto v Queen’s University, 12.30pm. Men’s semi-finals: Railway Union v Lisngarvey, 3pm; Cork Harlequins v Instonians, 5pm.

Sunday: Women’s final, 1pm; Men’s final, 3.30pm.

Julia O'Halloran celebrates scoring the winner for Railway Union against Loreto in yesterday's Irish Hockey League final at Lisnagarvey. Picture: Adrian Boehm

Munster may not have had a team at the business end of the Irish Hockey League  but some of the province’s exiles made key contributions to a dramatic finals weekend at Comber Road in Lisburn.

Cork native Julia O’Halloran, previously of Harlequins and UCC, hit the decisive strike for Railway Union in their 1-0 victory over Loreto in yesterday’s women’s final.

The 24-year-old former Irish international latched onto a Cecilia Joyce long ball that was mistrapped by the Loreto defence to first-time the ball past Louisa Healy in the 52nd minute.

That preceded a crazy final minute in which Nicci Daly — who had also struck the only goal in the semi-final victory over Pegasus 24 hours earlier — had seemingly equalised with a stunning roofed effort with 13 seconds remaining, only to be a victim of interpretation as it was ruled as dangerous play by the umpires.

Loreto still managed to win a short corner on the final hooter, but Grace O’Flanagan held her nerve in the Railway goal to keep the effort out and make it two titles in three years for Mick McKinnon’s girls.

Railway had overcome fellow Leinster rivals Hermes 1-0 in Saturday’s semi-final with Zara Delany bagging the vital strike, and will now be Ireland’s first representatives in the new EuroHockey Club Champions Cup next season.

Meanwhile, Timmy Cockram was Lisnagarvey’s inevitable hero as they final laid their Irish Hockey League hoodoo to rest with a 3-1 win over YMCA in the decider.

The Lisburn men have twice fallen at the final hurdle in recent years but their experienced Irish international talisman Cockram did most of the damage as they romped home this time.

He hit a hat-trick and setup Mark Raphael’s gorgeous winner in the 4-3 success over Cookstown in the semi-finals, before notching two more in the decider.

YMCA’s Cork exile Stephen Parker, formerly of Church of Ireland, had scored the winning penalty one-on-one after his new side had drawn 2-2 with Monkstown in their semi-final.

Graham Woods, deputising for Irish international Iain Walker, was a revelation in goal for the Y in that game and brought his stunning form to the final as he denied ‘Garvey time and time again amid a big defensive effort from the Dubliners.

But Cockram eventually broke through in dispatching a drag-flick to the roof of the net on 48 minutes, before ‘Garvey worked a corner switch for Stevie Arbuthnot to double that advantage four minutes later.

YM hit back instantly with a memorable counter-attack goal, finished off by Jamie Tobin, but Cockram forced home from a goalmouth scramble to give the hosts the necessary breathing space.

YM could still join ‘Garvey in European competition next season, should the latter complete a national double by winning the Irish Senior Cup next weekend. They face Railway Union in the semi-finals with Cork Harlequins — who completed a Munster league and cup double thanks to a 2-0 title playoff win over Cork C of I on Friday night — meeting Instonians in the other last four tie.

Irish Hockey League finals weekend, Lisnagarvey HC

Men
Final: Lisnagarvey 3 (T Cockram 2, S Arbuthnot) YMCA 1 (J Tobin);
Semi-finals: Lisnagarvey 4 (T Cockram 3, M Raphael) Cookstown 3 (I Sloan 2, G Allen);
IHL MVP: Timmy Cockram (Lisnagarvey); Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Graham Woods (YMCA); Top scorer: Timmy Cockram (Lisnagarvey)/Ian Sloan (Cookstown).

Women
Final: Railway Union 1 (J O’Halloran) Loreto 0;
Semi-finals: Railway Union 1 (Z Delany) Hermes 0; Loreto 1 (N Daly) Pegasus 0;
Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Louisa Healy (Loreto); Top scorer: Suzanne Beaney (Pegasus).

Cork Harlequins celebrate their Munster Senior League title success after a 2-0 playoff victory over Cork Church of Ireland at a drenched Farmer's Cross last night. PIcture: Andrew Gray

With the sides locked on 33 points from 12 games after the regular season — after each side lost once to the other — a playoff was required to determine a winner, though the  miserable conditions at a drenched Farmer’s Cross helped neither’s ambitions.

David Egner had put the hosts into a fifth-minute lead from a corner rebound, but the rest of the half  belonged to C of I without the Blues getting any tangible reward as Chris Daunt made a quartet of saves from John Jermyn.

John Hobbs blocked down a Stephen Sweetnam reverse as it was all hands to the pump for Quins, although Irish international hitman Jermyn was a busy man at both ends of the pitch, blocking down John Sweetnam and effectively pressuring David Eakins as they looked set to score from Quins  breakaways.

Jermyn was the key architect of opportunities for C of I, first reverse crashing for Philip Sweetnam who miscued his deflection before flashing an inviting cross-shot wide of the far post with no man in blue there to connect.

But there was little he could do about the 64th-minute copper-fastener from Eakins. Phil McLaughlin’s killer pass played in John Sweetnam and although C of I keeper Billy Lynch saved his effort, he was powerless to stop Eakins finishing accurately from the loose ball at the top of the circle.

Daunt denied David Hobbs from point-blank range to keep his clean sheet intact and ensure the final minutes were comfortable ones for Phil Oakley’s side, who will now head into next Saturday’s Irish Senior Cup final against Instonians looking to add to their league and Munster Senior Cup crowns.

The sides finished the regular season level on 33 points from 12 games, each losing once to the other. And their closeness their year is highlighted further by the fact that they took cups off each other too, with C of I claiming the Peard Cup and Quins the Munster Senior Cup.

With that in mind, the Harlequin Park sand might tip the balance slightly in Quins’ favour if they can keep C of I short corner specialist John Jermyn at bay.

Brian Hayes Curtin (left) will be missing for Cork Harlequins' title showdown with John Jermyn's (right) C of I tonight. Picture: Ondine Roche

Phil Oakley’s men are on something of a high having emerged as the susprise contenders for the Irish Senior Cup, where they’ll meet Instonians in the semi-finals on May 12.

But on the downside for them is the absence of Dan Hobbs, Brian Hayes Curtin and Phil O’Driscoll, although they would have been even lighter on personnel had the game been fixed for the Bank Holiday Saturday.

C of I will hope that the nerves and tetchiness they showed against UCC in their final league game will now be out of their system after they pulled away to a comfortable 4-1 victory in the second half.

Ashton schoolboys Richard Sweetnam and Gary Wilkinson will also bring the confidence and feel-good factor from Wednesday’s cup final win over Midleton College to the mix.

Elsewhere, the momentum is with YMCA as they bid to annex a first Irish Hockey League crown at the finals weekend at Lisnagarvey.

The Dubliners are the form side going into their semi-final clash against local rivals Monkstown at the Lisburn venue, with Cork (Jonny Bruton) and Australian (Marcus Richardson) influences combining to spectacular goal-scoring effect in recent weeks.

Monkstown’s season has faltered somewhat with injuries to key players such as Kyle Good and Gareth Watkins, both of whom will be absent again, but they are rarely short of goal will still be too tough to call.

The other semi-final is an all-Ulster affair, with domestic kingpins Cookstown going toe to toe against hosts ‘Garvey.

Hermes will hope to welcome back set-piece specialist Audrey O’Flynn for their women’s IHL semi-final clash with Railway Union, the Cork-born Irish international drag-flicker having missed six weeks with a broken jaw. Loreto clash with Pegasus in the other last four tie.

Munster Men’s Div 1 title playoff: Cork Harlequins v Cork C of I, Harlequin Park, 7.45pm

Irish Hockey League finals weekend, Lisnagarvey HC, Hillsborough, Co Down

Saturday: Women’s semi-finals: Hermes v Railway Union, 10.30am; Loreto v Pegasus, 12.30pm; Men’s semi-finals: YMCA v Monkstown, 1.15pm; Cookstown v Lisnagarvey, 3.30pm.

Sunday: Women’s final, 1.30pm; Men’s final: 4pm.

As they had done against Annadale in the previous round five months ago, the 2006 champions reprised the spirit of that success as their veterans gear up for one last tilt at an Irish crown.

David Eakins played in David Lombard to reverse home the opener against Bann, only for Peter Brown to collect Scott Forbes’ cross and slam home for a half-time stalemate.

Sean Nicholson, back in Quins colours after a series of injury absence, steals the ball against Banbridge. Picture: Courtesy Cork Harlequins

But Colin Ross blasted one in from the top of the circle off a lightning counter-attack to win it, a victory that could have been more comfortable had Bann netminder Gareth Lennox not twice denied Paul Lombard in one-on-ones.

Encouraginly for Quins, the semi-final draw pits them against the tournament’s other surprise package, Instonians. They saw off NICS 1-0 thanks to Julian Lewis’ winner 45 seconds from time, and will hold no fears for Quins given the Cork side beat them 3-2 in the Irish Hockey League this term.

That was on the Farmer’s Cross sand however, whereas the sides will meet on neutral territory at Belfield this time around as the world’s oldest hockey tournament has now reverted to a “finals weekend” format.

Railway Union will play Lisnagarvey in the other last four tie after they removed Leinster’s big two. Railway were short on possession but had a clinical edge as Rob Abbott, Peter English and Eoin MacArthur propelled Ireland’s most improved side to a 3-0 win over Glenanne.

That gives them a first semi-final berth in 15 seasons, but cup specialists ‘Garvey will be tough opponents. They overcame a scoreless first half as Timmy Cockram and Greg Thompson struck to see off Pembroke Wanderers 3-0.

Anna O’Flanagan’s winner saw UCD undo women’s Irish Senior Cup favourites Pegasus once more — as the students had in the 2009 final — on a 2-1 scoreline. They’ll now meet Railway in the semis, a daunting task after the Dubliners stunned Armagh with a 9-0 away victory, Zara Delany hitting four of those.

Loreto made it three Leinster sides in the semis with another emphatic victory, racing past Old Alex 5-0 with Nicci Daly and Cathy McKean contributing to a 3-0 half-time lead. They will play Queen’s University in the semi-finals after Julie Allison trickled home the only goal of the tie with Trinity at Griffeen Valley Park.

Colin Ross (left) celebrates scoring the winner with Paul Lombard. Picture: Courtesy Cork Harlequins

Meanwhile, Cork C of I have forced a Munster men’s league title playoff against Cork Harlequins after overcoming a stout UCC defensive effort to win 4-1 at the Mardyke.

Knowing only a win would do, the blues were in tetchy form from the off, although Stephen Sweetnam eased any early nerves when slinging home a high drag-flick from his side’s first corner.

But it didn’t take College long to cancel it out. Their first set-piece saw a neatly-disguised switch-right to Roger Gray – captaining the side on what may be his last home game for the club – and he  carried past the second runner before flicking home at the near post.

1-1 was how it stayed until the break, with C of I having the better chances but finding Kieran Healy in inspired form between the sticks for UCC, though John Jermyn did ding the post after turning over Adam O’Callaghan while the Irish international also took an Andy Gray drag-flick off the line at the other end.

Despite the absence of shoulder injury victim Fionn O’Leary, UCC were happy to play the aerial counter-attack game with what little possession they had. But it was mostly backs-to-the-wall stuff as  C of I – for whom Andrew Daunt and Phil Smith played little part due to to injury – went for the jugular.

They finally got the breakthrough midway through the half when Jermyn rattled a drag-flick to the bottom corner, and he performed more heroics at the other end too when directing another Andy Gray drag over the bar.

Gray then mistrapped an aerial to let David Harvey in behind the UCC rearguard, and he picked out the unmarked Gary Wilkinson who controlled and bashed to the bottom corner for 3-1.

With the result now safe and the students tiring from having to defend for so long, Clinton Sweetnam bagged the goal of the game in the final minutes, swerving past two tacklers on the left endline, before rounding Healy and tapping in.

The three points means C of I and Quins finish level at the top of the standings with UCC in third, necessitating a league title playoff. That fixture has yet to be decided but with neither side in action at the IHL finals, they could yet be set for a May bank holiday weekend showdown.

Bann have had a turbulent couple of weeks in the Irish Hockey League,which ultimately ended in them missing out on semi-final qualification.

They retrieved a 5-2, third-quarter deficit to  beat Instonians 6-5 but their dream died seven days later in Tallaght as they were humbled 4-0 by Glenanne, who eked out four crash ball goals despite enjoying minimal possession.

Quins have demons of their own to deal with too; a 5-0 humbling at home to Cookstown was followed by a 4-1 reverse at Monkstown. Furthermore, the Bears have a significant psychological advantage by virtue of a a 4-0 win in the IHL earlier this season.

Jason and Mark Black won an Irish Senior Cup with Quins in 2006 and will be keen to push the side on for another tilt at the title this year. Picture: Adrian Boehm

But given the age profile of the Quins side – many of whom are veterans of the 2006 Irish Senior Cup-winning team – their progression to the last eight this year could  signal one last gargantuan effort on the national stage from some of the side’s more experienced campaigners.

Elsewhere, Railway Union will enjoy home advantage as they aim to reach a first Irish Senior Cup final in the open era after an impressive record in the competition in the pre-World War II period.

They reached the final six times back then but have not done so since 1938. The nearest they have been since was an extra-time loss in 1997, falling to a Paudie Carley penalty to Pembroke at the final four stage, adding to three semi-final defeats between 1977 and 1979.

But with many major contenders like 2011 finalist Cookstown and Monkstown out already and a genuinely even competition at hand, progression could open up the draw yet further.

But opponents Glenanne are arguably the sharper outfit, with Jonathan Kane’s goals filling the void left by Shane O’Donoghue. They’ve had IHL action to keep them up to pace while Railway have had to content themselves with friendlies against the likes of NICS and YMCA in recent times with 28 days passing since their last competitive outing.

For Pembroke, they became the first side to get a result from a trip to face Lisnagarvey on the Comber Road in the IHL this term last weekend and a repeat could keep alive their hopes of a third EHL journey.

NICS – along with Railway – are the other non-IHL side seeking to cause an upset as they take on Instonians at Stormont. Service were beaten to the wildcard spot by Inst in the Ulster Premier though a win and a draw over the Shawsbridge club during the campaign lends a weight of confidence.

Trinity and Queen’s offer the university challenge as Griffeen Valley Park hosts a women’s Irish Senior Cup tie for the very first time as the Dubliners have been forced to give up home advantage.

It comes in the wake of the LHA’s decision to bar the use of Santry Avenue for the senior league games until the hazardly moss growing through the turf is fully cleared.

The students do welcome back Maebh Horan and Jessie Elliott for the biggest game in the club’s recent history, pursuing a first final appearance since 1933.

Maeve Horan will return to play a key role for Trinity in their novel all-university clash with Queen's. Picture: Adrian Boehm

Queen’s are powered by the excellent Hannah McMillan while Joanne Orr’s eye for goal saw the Ulster side dismiss Portadown with minimum of fuss in the last round last November. Their last day in the ISC sun was way back in 1929, finishing off a run of three titles in four years.

Otherwise, the rest of the draw has a more familiar hue with each of the winners from the last five years present and correct. Two of those meet at Belfield as Pegasus meet UCD in a repeat of the 2009 decider, one won in resounding fashion by the students.

But their mojo, of late, has deserted them since completing the league and cup double at the end of March. A frustrating 0-0 draw with Old Alex and a loss in Limerick to Catholic Institute ended their IHL dreams when opportunity presented itself.

Pegs have similarly run up two major trophies this season as well as also coming into the game off the back of a defeat, beaten 3-1 by Hermes.

But the Dublin giants are the biggest name to be missing from the quarter-final line-up, falling to former player Emma Russell’s double in round two to Old Alex.

Alex’s reward for that milestone win is a date with Loreto, hoping they can see home what they could not in the league. In round 17, the Milltown club built a 2-0 lead only for the Beaufort side’s corner routine to reduce the deficit before Jessica McGirr continued her excellent form since breaking into the team to level.

Both sides have their internationals back from that date, making this an intriguing tussle. Reducing breakaway bursts from Emily Beatty, Russell and Hannah McDermott is key while Loreto exude similar pacey qualities to set this one up nicely.

Mick McKinnon’s Railway travel north to his residential home of Armagh to play the side he coached through their meteoric rise through the divisions.

Domestically, there’s one vital men’s tie at the Mardyke (3pm) as Cork Church of Ireland head across town knowing they must beat UCC to stand any chance of ousting Quins for the league title.

It’s the last game of the regular season and the students will see this as a shot to nothing, although it is also a vital link game for them at a quiet time of the season ahead of the IHL wildcard playoffs in three weeks.

They have an axe to grind after feeling they left opportunities behind them in a 3-1 reverse at Garryduff earlier this season, given they haven’t beaten C of I since returning to Division One four seasons ago.

Although it’s win or bust for the visitors, they rediscovered theiir goalscoring mojo away to Annadale last weekend, and encouragingly for the blues, none of them came from John Jermyn’s short corner bullets, which could be a key factor this time around.

Men’s Irish Senior Cup quarter-finals (Saturday): Railway Union v Glenanne, 2pm, Park Avenue; Lisnagarvey v Pembroke, 2.30pm, Comber Road; Cork Harlequins v Banbridge, 2pm, Farmer’s Cross; NICS v Instonians, 2.30pm, Stormont

Electric Ireland Irish Senior Cup quarter-finals (Saturday): UCD v Pegasus, 1pm, Belfield; Old Alex v Loreto, 1pm, Milltown; Armagh v Railway Union, 1pm, Ardmore LC; Trinity v Queen’s University, 1pm, Griffeen Valley Park

Munster Men’s Div 1: UCC v Cork C of I, 3pm, The Mardyke.

** Semi-final draw will take place in the Dropping Well, Milltown at approximately 3.30pm