While the Rosbrien club’s men had left it late to defeat Suttonians at the same stage of the men’s competition last weekend, there was even more drama this time around.

Louise Dungan had given Three Rock an early advantage, but that was cancelled out by a neatly-worked short corner, which Rosie Pratt emphatically slammed home.

Action from the Three Rock Ladies vs Catholic Institute clash, which the Limerick girls won 2-1 thanks to a Rosie Pratt golden goal. Picture: Stephen Findlater

Naomi Carroll thought she’d given Institute victory late in normal time with a volleyed reverse, but play was brought back for a corner from an earlier infringement.

However, it mattered little as Pratt got the all-important strike in extra time, finishing brilliantly on her reverse after a mazy solo dribble.

However, Ashton were unable to make it two Munster sides in the semi-finals, as they fell 6-0 at Ulster Elks. Although the northerners were without their Irish internationals Emma Clarke and Shirley McCay at Jordanstown, they still had too much in reserve for the Blackrock Road girls, who were none too happy with the match’s umpires.

Ashton will be hoping for better luck in tomorrow’s Irish Junior Cup clash with Cork C of I, but they will need to pull off a stunning performance if they are to top Cork Harlequins’ showing in the same competition today.

They won 2-1 against Pegasus in Belfast, with dramatic short corner strikes from Ger Kehelly and Eleanor Flood inside the last ten minutes.

In the men’s competition, C of I once again underlined why they are fancied to be thereabouts at the business end of the IJC as they hammered Weston 13-1 in Dublin.

The Rochestown side have already seen off the might of Annadale and Quins this season, but they found the going far easier this time around. Richie Dorman bagged five of their strikes – two each from play and corners, and one from a stroke – with Roger Gray getting four.

Nick Burns hit a double and Andrew Gray and Andrew Scannell rounded off the scoring, before Karl Taylor scored a late consolation from the spot for the hosts.

Quins' Mark Black grabbed a hat-trick in his side's 9-0 win over Catholic Institute. Picture: Adrian Boehm

However, Bandon existed the competition after going down 1-0 at home to Corinthians, who won thanks to a first-half penalty stroke at a rain-lashed Bandon Grammar School.

Meanwhile, all of the domestic league ties in Cork fell victim to the weather, with the majority unplayable as gale-force winds meant goalposts at various venues couldn’t be kept upright.

The one Division One game that did go ahead was the clash of Quins and Institute in the men’s league at Rosbrien. Mark Black hit a hat-trick in a facile 9-0 win, while Philip McLaughlin got a double and Lee d’Alton, Jason Black, Eddie Dore and Paul Murray also found the net.

Meanwhile, there were mixed fortunes for Munster clubs in round one of the women’s Irish Challenge; Dungarvan went down 3-2 at home to Gorey, Mallow won 1-0 at Kilkenny while Clonmel’s tie with Enniscorthy was postponed.

The Garryduff side’s second string are fancied by many to go all the way in the competition, having already eliminated big hitters Annadale and Cork Harlequins in earlier rounds.

They will be largely taking a trip into the unknown when they face Weston’s seconds, who are currently languishing at the wrong end of Division Four in Leinster and arrive at this juncture by virtue of a walkover from UCC in round one.

C of I B's Nick Burns (left) will be hoping to repeat his goalsoring feats from his side's IJC win over Cork Harlequins when they face Weston in round two. Picture: Eoin Tyrrell

The only other Munster side left in the competition, Bandon B, welcome Corinthians – riding high at the top of Leinster’s third division – to west Cork. Cookstown’s clash with Lisnagarvey at Coolnafranky is the pick of the remaining ties.

In the women’s competition, Cork Harlequins face the daunting task of attempting to down Pegasus in Belfast, while UCC’s tie with last year’s finalists Railway Union has been moved to January 24, and will be part of a mouth-watering Mardyke double-header that also sees the clubs clash in the Irish Senior Cup.

C of I meet Ashton, 3-0 winners over Clontarf in round one, on Sunday.  It’s a big weekend for the Blackrock Road outfit as their firsts head north to meet Ulster Elks in the quarter-finals of the Irish Trophy.

Catholic Institute travel to Three Rock Ladies in the same tournament, and there is the added reward of an Irish Senior Cup berth for the victors of both ties.

In Munster, C of I can draw level with Quins at the summit of the women’s league if they win their game in hand against Bandon.

UCC will be hoping to stay in touch as they host Belvedere, with club captain Sarah Gray poised to make a comeback after a four-month injury layoff, pending a fitness test at training last night.

However, the students have a number of other injury doubts; Hollie Moffett is still nursing a hairline cheekbone fracture, Audrey O’Flynn has a foot problem while Orla Crowley and Fiona O’Connell are other potential absentees,

The men’s league sees Catholic Institute host the might of Quins, which should serve as a perfect warm-up for the Limerick club’s Irish Senior Cup tie at Leinster powerhouses Glenanne next weekend.

Bandon will be determined to stem the flow of penalty corners that undid them in an 8-0 defeat to C of I earlier this term when they host the leaders on Sunday.

At the other end of the table, UCC will be determined to put some daylight between themselves and basement side Quins B.

But the students will need to improve on their pre-Christmas displays against the same opposition, which saw them slip to two heavy defeats.

Cork Harlequins' Mark Lombard dives in to try and dispossess Cork C of I's Andrew Daunt. Picture: Eoin Tyrrell

Cork Church of Ireland marched into the second round of the men’s Irish Junior Cup, but only after they were given a stern examination by perennial rivals Cork Harlequins in an entertaining derby encounter at a freezing Garryduff this afternoon.

Goals in the dying minutes of each half from Nick Burns and Andrew Gray secured a 2-0 victory which saw them dump high-profile opposition out of the tournament for the second time in succession, having defeated Annadale 3-1 in the preliminary round.

But Dermot Judge’s side didn’t have it all their own way against the Division One’s bottom side, who won the corner count 5-2 and could have been level had they been more clinical up front.

C of I keeper Billy Lynch was called into action as early as the second minute, saving well from Philip Chambers, but neither he nor Quins netminder Steven White had much to do for the following 25 minutes, with circle penetrations at a minimum.

Quins’ Philip Burns had the ball in the net on 27 minutes after Phil O’Driscoll switched a short corner to the right, but his thunderbolt missed the backboard by a few feet to allow C of I to breathe again.

But the introduction of Stephen Parker on the half-hour proved a pivotal moment, and his powerful strike was superbly deflected into the bottom corner by Nick Burns – all the more impressive given he’d his back to goal.

Quins should have drawn level as they took the game to the hosts while Andrew Daunt was in the sin-bin, with Brian Hayes Curtin’s pass allowed to bounce all the way through to Mark Lombard, who could only find air despite being unmarked seven yards out.

Cork Harlequins' Philip Burns finds the net from a short corner, but the goal was disallowed for not hitting the backboard. Picture: Eoin Tyrrell

Quins coach Philip White sensibly removed Geert Fromme from the fray midway through the second half, after the Dutchman had been warned by umpire Peter Murphy about his conduct after some rash challenges and choice words.

Fromme didn’t return to the field thereafter, and while Quins missed his guile in the offensive third, they were still proving a handful for the C of I defence.

Lynch did well to smother Eddie Dore’s shot after Lee d’Alton’s incisive cross-field ball had found the Kilkenny man free in the circle on 57 minutes, while White did superbly to save a stinging half-volley from Roger Gray at the other end minutes later.

Quins were given all the impetus they needed to push for an equaliser when Parker was harshly yellow-carded after his shoulder accidentally collided with Hayes Curtin’s face with ten minutes to go.

But Andrew Gray took the wind out of their sails with six minutes to go, firing home a low drag to ensure C of I advanced.

Elsewhere, John Jermyn’s short corner prowess helped C of I hit eight past  third-placed Bandon at Garryduff in Division One.

The Irish international midfielder bagged two hat-tricks – with five of those goals arriving via his trademark drag-flicks – in a game that was more evenly contested than the scoreline suggests.

C of I's Nick Burns (left) celebrates his goal with Stephen Parker. Picture: Eoin Tyrrell

Drags from Jermyn in the 15th, 25th and 27th minutes had the hosts 3-0 to the good at the break, and Jonny Bruton’s strike two minutes after the resumption put the result beyond doubt.

Jermyn’s fourth almost snapped the net in the 51st minute, before Stephen Parker – playing his second game this afternoon – made it six. Jermyn grabbed one from play himself before rifling home another drag to complete the rout with 11 minutes to go.

Quins firsts saw their match with Catholic Institute postponed due to the weather, meaning C of I have now opened a three-point gap at the top of the table, with 29 goals to their credit – and none conceded – from just four games.

Clontarf's Jean Carroll and Ashton's Michelle Slyney get caught in a tangle. Picture: Eoin Tyrrell

It was a day of mixed fortunes for Ashton today as they progressed to the second round of the Irish Junior Cup but threw away a valuable league point at home to UL in Division One.

The Ballinlough side’s second team put in a blistering second-half performance against Clontarf to seal a comfortable 3-0 win. Ashton played the better hockey in a scoreless first period, but the Dubliners looked dangerous on the break, with Jean Carroll a constant thorn in the hosts’ defence.

But once skipper Caroline McCarthy put them ahead after a short corner was switched left 10 minutes into the second half – having seen one chalked off just a few minutes earlier – Ashton were firmly in control.

They made the game safe with a superbly-worked goal on 58 minutes. McCarthy linked superbly with the ever-threatening Eimear O’Brien at the top of the circle and burned a ‘Tarf defender on the outside, before pulling the ball back from the endline for Jenny Coughlan to emphatically slam the ball home.

Ashton then put the icing on the cake by beating ‘Tarf at their own game, Aoife Duggan slaloming through the defence on a counter before slotting the ball past Fiona Dowling.

While it was day for celebration for the Ashton second string, their firsts were left frustrated after letting a great chance to move out of the relegation zone slip through their fingers against UL.

Emma Harrington’s double had them 2-0 to the good in the first half, but Laura Peters pulled one back for the Limerick students just before half-time.

Clontarf's Susan Murphy and Ashton's Marguerite Burke duel for possession. Picture: Eoin Tyrrell

However, Orla O’Donovan restored Ashton’s two-goal advantage after the break, a lead they held until ten minutes to go when Peters pulled another back for UL.

But the former Bandon Grammar student completed her hat-trick from a short corner with less than 60 seconds remaining to snatch a draw for UL, and propel them into fifth place.

Despite drawing level on points with Bandon and Belvedere, Ashton remain bottom by virtue of an inferior goal difference.

Elsewhere, just one of the remaining three women’s Division One games went ahead, with Belvedere’s clash with UCC and Cork C of I’s visit to Bandon both falling victim to the weather.

But the 2.30pm hit-off time at Harlequin Park allowed the pitch to thaw out in time, and Cork Harlequins made hay as the winter shone shined, routing Catholic Institute 6-0.

Cliodhna Sargent claimed a brace, while Cliona O’Connor, Claire Bergin, Jane Chapple and skipper Rachel McSharry also getting on the scoresheet.

In Division Two, basement side UCC caused a massive surprise by claiming a 1-1 draw at leaders Waterford, ruining the Déise side’s 100% record in the process, despite only travelling with 10 players.

Fiona O’Connell claimed the goal that gave the students their third and fourth points of the season, while Una O’Shea was on target for Waterford.

Second-placed Catholic Institute also dropped points today, crashing 3-0 at mid-table Cork C of I with Julie Coyle, Marie O’Mahony and a Lauragh O’Neill penalty stroke doing the damage.

Ashton's Linda Scannell shields the ball from Clontarf's Deirdre Cantwell. Picture: Eoin Tyrrell

In the only other women’s game played today, Tipperary ousted UCC 4-1 to move up to third in Division Four.

Meanwhile, uncertainty hangs over when the U16 girls interpros will be completed after the entire day’s play was wiped out by frozen pitches at Kilkenny College.

A pitch inspection is due to take place tomorrow (Sunday) morning to determine whether tomorrow’s schedule can be completed, but with more cold weather forecast, the outlook isn’t favourable.

14-year-old Leanne Mullins of Cork Harlequins claimed her first goal at senior level this weekend. Picture: Adrian Boehm

Bandon goalkeeper Brian Corcoran saved two penalty strokes to ensure his side pulled off a remarkable Irish Junior Cup first-round victory over Mossley on Saturday.

Things weren’t looking good for the underdogs from west Cork, as they went 2-0 down inside half an hour.

But two Graham Kingston strikes hauled them level, and after a scoreless extra-time, Corcoran kept out the northerners’ first two strokes to help his side to a 4-2 shoot-out victory.

In the preliminary round, brothers Andy and Roger Gray dumped last season’s finalists Annadale out of the tournament at the first hurdle, helping Cork Church of Ireland to a 3-1 win.

Connor Allison had given the Belfast side an early lead from a short corner rebound, but two Andy Gray short corner strikes had C of I ahead at the break.

Brother Roger got in on the act in the second half, setting up a first-round derby clash with Cork rivals Harlequins.

Cookstown were surprisingly easy 3-1 winners over Banbridge, while Pembroke Wanderers’ bid for a third consecutive title is still alive as they defeated Kilkeel 3-1.

There wasn’t such good news for Pembroke’s ladies however, as they were surprisingly beaten on strokes by Galway, following a 1-1 stalemate.

Smiles all round for Bandon B after their Irish Junior Cup win over Mossley. Picture courtesy of Andrew Kingston.

Elsewhere, Bandon went down 3-1 at Loreto, Cork C of I needed a golden goal to see off Lurgan 2-1 and Cork Harlequins posted a 1-0 win over Ulster Elks thanks to Trish Moloney’s strike.

But the result of the day came at Portadown, where goals from Jenny Owens and Ciara O’Hanlon saw UCC post a shock win.

It was also a good weekend for the Cork students’ men, who got off the mark in the Munster men’s Division One with an 8-2 thumping of Catholic Institute, with David Herbert claiming a hat-trick.

In the women’s league, 14-year-old Leanne Mullins got her first senior goal for Cork Harlequins as they routed Ashton 4-0. Cliona O’Connor helped herself to a double and Karen Bateman rounded off the scoring for the champions, who have a perfect five wins from five thus far.

Another teen prodigy, Naomi Carroll, gave Catholic Institute a 1-0 win over Belvedere, while Mel Ryan, Suzy Herbert and Amy Roberts helped Cork C of I to a 3-1 win over UL, for whom Fenagh Smith was on target.

In the women’s Division Two, Waterford felt the full benefit of having a recent former international in their ranks, as Kristin Farrell, who has returned from Hermes, hit five goals in a 9-0 rout of Moyne/Thurles that also featured an Eileen Guiry hat-trick.

Fermoy and Cork Harlequins shared ten goals in a gripping Division Three clash, but the north Cork side bagged seven of them to keep the pressure up on leaders Belvedere, who are now just a point to the good.

Meanwhile, Limerick remounted their challenge for the men’s Division Two title in fine style, with Bruce Hayes and Roger Clarke both netting twice in a 5-2 blitz of Quins C.

Quins D continue to lead the way in Division Three, and they laid down a serious statement of intent by hammering second-placed Catholic Institute 5-0, taking their tally for the season to 30 goals in five games.

But they yet face a strong challenge from Midleton, who underlined their credentials by hammering basement UCC C 8-0, with Alister Murphy bagging a hat-trick.

Earlier in the day, a Phil Lecane drag-flick saved the students’ B side from defeat against Belvedere, salvaging a 1-1 draw.

The duo have been paired together in the only tie of the preliminary round, and there will be plenty of motivation for C of I, given they will setup a Cork derby with neighbours Harlequins should they progress.

As the club’s A side are not in action, coach Dermot Judge will be able to call on a number of first-team players — goalkeeper Billy Lynch,  Stephen Parker, Roger Gray and David Harvey —  as the Rochestown outfit look to overturn last year’s finalists.

C of I keeper Billy Lynch, seen here thwarting Eddie Dore of Quins, is one of a number of first-time players available for his club's IJC clash with Annadale. Picture: Adrian Boehm

However, Judge admits that how they are re-integrated into a side that contains a mixture of veterans like Derek Hales and promising youngsters such as Ben Dobson will be crucial to C of I’s hopes.

Annadale are unlikely to have their top players available as they make the long trek from Belfast, given their firsts have a league appointment with Lisnagarvey.

In the first round proper, Pembroke Wanderers begin their bid for a three-in-a-row with a tricky away tie at Kilkeel.

Pembroke have been the standard bearers at this level in recent times, taking seven trophies from two campaigns at Leinster and national level.

However, they have picked up just one win in four outings this term, and have lost a number of key players. Goalkeeper Stephen O’Keeffe and Paddy Good have moved to pastures new, while Alan Giles is now captain of the firsts.

Bandon face an arduous trek to play Mossley, while the glamour tie up north is the meeting of Cookstown and Banbridge.

Weston have already advanced to the second round, after UCC last week withdrew from the sides’ scheduled clash in Dublin.

The Cork students had been due to travel to Dublin to fulfil the fixture this Saturday, but have informed the Irish Hockey Association that they have withdrawn from the tournament.

The Mardyke outfit may have struggled to field a team, given they cannot draw from their firsts – who play two divisions above their seconds – while their second and third teams have three games between them this weekend.

Their female counterparts are still involved however, and like C of I’s men may be able to call on a number of firsts players for their long trip to Portadown, after the A side’s clash with Bandon was moved to Tuesday night.

The same applies to Cork’s other women’s sides, who all have home advantage, with Lurgan visiting C of I and Ulster Elks travelling to Quins, while Ashton host Clontarf.

The men’s Division One fixture cupboard in Munster is almost bare this weekend as a result of the Irish Junior Cup — the only game is UCC’s re-arranged meeting with Catholic Institute at the Mardyke.

In the women’s league, Quins and C of I will expect to pick up full points against Ashton and UL respectively, while Institute take on Belvedere at Rosbrien.

Meanwhile, there was one game in the Munster men’s Division Three tonight, with Cork C of I E defeating UCC C 5-0 at Garryduff.

Some resolute defending from the students restricted the hosts to a 1-0 lead at the break, with Cillín Corbett’s shot deflecting home off a College defender.

But the floodgates opened in the second half, with top scorer Dermot Judge grabbing one from play and one from a corner, while Nigel and Trevor Bateman also weighed in with a goal each.

Quins’ seconds, who last won the trophy in 1999, await the winner of C of I and Annadale, while Bandon and UCC face long trips to Mossley and Weston respectively.

In the women’s competition, Quins – who lost 2-0 to Old Alex in the 2007 semi-final – and C of I host Ulster Elks and Lurgan respectively, while UCC must travel to Portadown.

Elsewhere, Munster’s chances of gaining an extra Irish Senior Cup representative were handed a boost yesterday when both Catholic Institute and UCC were given byes into the second round of the Irish Trophy.

The new competition, which offers a path into the senior cup for each of the semi-finalists, has thrown up a number of Leinster derbies, while Clontarf have been landed the hardest draw on paper with a trip to Kilkeel.

Quins' Claire Bergin battles with Katie Roche of Genesis in the Irish Junior Cup quarter-final two seasons ago. Quins will take on Ulster Elks in this year's tournament. Picture: Maurice O'Mahony/Irish Examiner

Meanwhile, the new John Waring All-Ireland schoolboy’s cup has been added to the schools calendar for the season, in addition to next week’s regular competition.

The tournament will mirror the format of the ESB Kate Russell girls competition, and will take place for the first time this year on the March 19 and 20, 2009 in Grange Road.

The cup has been named after the late John Waring for his huge contributions to Ulster and Irish schoolboys hockey throughout his life.

Men’s Irish Hockey Trophy
Round 1 (November 1): Weston v Navan; Armagh v Dublin University; NICS v Newry; Kilkeel v Clontarf; Belfast HQ v Skerries; Bray v Naas; Avoca v Suttonians
Byes to second round: Antrim; Cliftonville; UCC; Galway; South Antrim; North Down; Queens; Portadown, Catholic Institute

Men’s Irish Junior Cup
Preliminary Round (November 8): Cork C of I  v Annadale;  Round 1 (November 8): Raphoe  v Clontarf; Weston  v UCC; Corinthian  v Newry; Mossley  v Bandon; Fingal  v Railway Union; Cookstown  v Banbridge; Kilkeel  v Pembroke Wanderers; Glenanne  v North Down; Avoca  v Monkstown; Lisnagarvey  v Antrim; Bangor  v Trinity; Instonians  v Portadown; UCD  v Three Rock Rovers; YMCA  v Belfast Harlequins; South Antrim  v NICS; December 6: Cork C of I/Annadale v Cork Harlequins.

ESB Women’s Irish Junior Cup
Preliminary Round (November 8): Loreto  v Bandon;  Round 1 (November 8): Cork C of I  v Lurgan; Portadown  v UCC; Pembroke Wanderers  v Galway; Belfast Harlequins  v Randalstown; Cork Harlequins  v Ulster Elks; Corinthian  v Three Rock; Glenanne v Armagh; Ards  v Queens; Ashton  v Clontarf; Hermes  v Coleraine; UL  v Railway; UCD  v Bray; Pegasus v Priorians; Lisnagarvey  v Old Alex; Trinity  v Genesis; November 9: Loreto/Bandon  v Waterford.