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.

Having lost to Pembroke and Glenanne in their opening games, Quins knew a win for the Dubliners today would all but end their already-faint hopes of challenging for a place in the last four. And when Alan Sothern struck either side of the break, Pembroke appeared to have the tie sewn up.

The Dubliners threw away a 3-0 lead here last term in the Irish Senior Cup before eventually emerging victorious in extra-time, but there was to be no second chance this time around as they leaked three goals in the final 11 minutes. Chris Kirk gave Inst hope on 59 minutes, before Chris Barnes levelled four minutes later.

Bandon's Alison Kingston chases down a Three Rock Rovers player during the sides' Irish Trophy tie at Grange Road in Dublin. Bandon lost on penalty strokes. Picture: Emer Keogh

Skipper Mark Irwin fired the winner for the Old Boys with 90 seconds to go to revive Inst’s hopes and complete a memorable weekend that also saw them thump Annadale 4-1 in their domestic league.

It now means Pool A is wide open again, and if Quins can defeat the ‘Dale on home soil at the end of the month, they may be back in with a shout.

Elsewhere, the women of Cork C of I moved to within three points of champions Cork Harlequins at the summit of Division One thanks to a workmanlike 3-1 defeat of Catholic Institute.

Julie O’Sullivan, Suzy Herbert and Michaela Mihailou were on target in a win that means C of I can draw level with Quins if they win their game in hand. The result also all but ends Institute’s – for whom teen starlet Naomi Carroll was on the scoresheet – chances of gate-crashing the top three.

The Garryduff girls’ seconds completed a good weekend for the club as Hollie Sweetnam’s golden goal sealed a 2-1 win over Waterford in the Division Two Cup, while Ashton also progressed via a hard-fought 3-2 defeat of Bandon.

In the men’s Division Two, C of I C were surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw by their D side, but remain three points clear of Belvedere at the top of the table.

It was a fruitful weekend for Quins D in Division Three as they hit 14 goals in two matches, beating C of I F 8-0 on Friday night before dismantling Belvedere B 6-0 on Sunday, both away from home.

The biggest challengers to their supremacy look to be Catholic Institute B, who were nowhere near their best despite whipping basement side UCC C 7-0 at the Mardyke. They are three points behind, while Midleton aren’t out of the race just yet and lie six points further back after a 3-0 win over C of I E.

UCC B completed their programme for the first half of the season by defeating Quins E 3-0, with South African Andrew Keyes striking twice and Dickie Barrett netting the other. The result looks to have done enough to secure their Division Three status before the league is split later this month.

Whether Limerick B will be included in a four or five-team Division Four may depend on how they fare in their two games in hand, at home to C of I E and Quins E. The Treaty city side did their hopes of staying up no favours by giving Ashton a walkover this weekend, and were deducted a point as a result.

However, UCC C, Belvedere B, Quins E and C of I F are all practical certainties to be making the drop next month, something which may come as a relief given all have been on the end of some heavy defeats this term, shipping 169 goals between them and scoring just 38.

Elsewhere, Tom Cotter and Greg McClelland shared seven goals between them as Quins B recorded a facile 12-1 win over Limerick A in the Munster Junior Cup.  Bandon B received a walkover from Belvedere B, while Quins C’s tie with UCC B was postponed.

In the women’s Division Three, there were good wins for Waterford (8-0 vs Cork Harlequins), Clonmel (5-1 vs Midleton) and Fermoy (3-0 vs Belvedere), while in Division Four, Mallow recorded draws with Waterford and C of I, and Tiperary defeated Mallow 2-0.

Division Five saw UCC and Quins play out a scoreless draw, while Limerick were handy 3-0 winners at C of I, and Ashton drew 2-2 at home to Belvedere. In the only game in Division Six, Ashton defeated UCC 4-0.

The Limerick club struck twice in the dying minutes through Justin O’Sullivan and Eric Calendar to seal a victory that won’t have gone down well with the highly-fancied hosts.

Instead it is Institute who will now have to face down the likes of Stephen Butler and Graham Shaw at Glenanne Park on January 24, as reaching the last four of this competition guarantees entry ti the ISC.

However, it wasn’t as fruitful a day for UCC, whose interest in national competitions ended following a 5-1 defeat to Northern Ireland Civil Service at Stormont today.

C of I's Jonny Bruton was on target four times in the 7-1 rout of C of I B. Picture: Adrian Boehm

College were 2-0 down inside 20 minutes before losing John Catchpole to a yellow card, and shipped two more before Stephen Sweetnam grabbed a consolation prior to NICS netting their fifth.

In the women’s competition, there was heartbreak for Bandon, who lost 3-1 on penalty strokes to Three Rock Ladies at Grange Road following a scoreless draw.

The two in-house derbies in the men’s Division One went as expected. Quins fired eleven without response past their B team, with Lee d’Alton getting two, while Eddie Dore, Philip McLaughlin, Dan and John Hobbs, Jason and Mark Black, Paul Lombard, Phil O’Driscoll and Paul Murray also got in on the act.

Jonny Bruton hit the goalscoring trail with a vengeance, bagging four as C of I A defeated their B side 7-1. Alec Moffett struck twice for the Munster champions, with Stephen Parker completing the rout, while Andrew Scannell scored C of I B’s consolation.

In the women’s league, the top three all won as expected, but Quins and UCC were made to fight heard for 1-0 wins over UL and Catholic Institute. Hilary Chapple hit the winner for the champions, while Vicky O’Sullivan’s deflection midway through the second half did enough for an under-strength College side.

Things were more straightforward for C of I, who saw off Belvedere 4-0 with strikes from Deirdre Casey, Mel Ryan, Julie O’Sullivan and skipper Sandra Hackett. They take on Institute tomorrow knowing that a win will reduce Quins’ lead at the top to three points, and Phil Oakley’s side still have a game in hand.

In the Division Two cup, two first-half strikes from Kate Herbert – playing up front instead of in her usual midfield role – gave Quins a 2-0 win over UCC.

Quins had the better of the exchanges overall, but Ciara O’Hanlon caused plenty of problems on the right wing all day. However, Herbert’s touches of class did the trick for Quins; her first arrived on 18 minutes when she arrowed a shot home from the top of the circle.

The second, on 33 minutes, was a slick solo effort that saw her round three College defenders before slotting past Caroline Levis in the visitors’ goal.

Elsewhere, Catholic Institute progressed to the next round of the same competition after being given a walkover from Moyne/Thurles.

Neither side has had an easy time of it recently; College have shipped 15 goals in their last two games, while Institute leaked 11 in their last outing against Cork C of I. College are likely to be without Brendan Woods, who was red-carded in their 2-1 win at Cliftonville in the previous round.

But the carrot of a semi-final spot – and a place in the revamped Irish Senior Cup – should be motivation enough for the Munster duo, who will both go into their ties as underdogs. Should UCC progress, they have a bye to the ISC second round, while Institute will have a glamour tie with Glenanne should they advance.

In the women’s competition, Ashton have already progressed to the last eight having been given a walkover from Queens, while Catholic Institute await the winners of Bandon’s visit to Three Rock Ladies.

Elsewhere, Pembroke Wanderers and Instonians will be hoping it will be a case of third time lucky as they look to finally get their twice-postponed Irish Hockey League round two encounter at Shaw’s Bridge played on Sunday.

The frosty weather prevented the clash of two giants of Irish club hockey going ahead in November and December, meaning the landscape is now vastly different in how both will approach the tie, which Cork Harlequins will be keeping a close eye on.

Inst were in disarray earlier this term as they were without a number of their star players, with the nadir coming with a 5-0 Ulster league rout at the hands of Lisnagarvey.

C of I B's Andrew Daunt will be looking to impress against his club's firsts on Saturday. Picture: Eoin Tyrrell

But the return of talismanic drag-flicker Mark Gleghorne and Steven Redpath from injury has galvanised them in recent weeks, and they have leaped from sixth to third, scoring 19 goals in their past four games.

They face a season-defining weekend, as they also meet leaders Annadale in the league on Saturday.

That means Craig Fulton won’t have to warn his Pembroke side – who have yet to catch fire this season but possess the country’s form forward in Alan Sothern – of complacency, while they know a win here could all but end Inst’s hopes of making the last four.

Queens University have set aside a pitch in the advent of Shaw’s Bridge being frozen for a third time, to ensure the clash gets played.

Having already lost to Pembroke and Glenanne – who drew with Annadale in round one – Quins will be hoping for an Inst win or a draw, as either result will prevent Pembroke from opening up an extensive gap at the business end of their pool.

Domestically, things are staying in-house at Munster’s big two this weekend, as C of I and Cork Harlequins will both expect to take full marks from their own B sides to maintain their two-horse race for the title.

In the women’s league, Cork Church of Ireland face a double-header as they look to bounce back from last weekend’s heartbreaking Munster Senior Cup penalty strokes defeat to UCC.

The Garryduff girls can call on new recruit Jennifer Kenefick in defence as they lock horns with Belvedere and Catholic Institute, though it remains to be seen whether recent returnee Jenifer Hales will be risked.

UCC's Hollie Moffett will miss her side's clash with Catholic Institute after suffering a suspected cheekbone fracture last weekend. Picture: Adrian Boehm

Wins in both games would close the gap on leaders Cork Harlequins to just three points, assuming the champions take all three points from their clash with UL, but C of I will still have a game in hand.

Elsewhere, UCC travel to Limerick to face Institute in the hope of keeping their title challenge alive, but will have to do without vice-captain Hollie Moffett, who is recovering from a suspected cheekbone fracture sustained last weekend.

Despite being handed a walkover from Queens, Ashton have no fixture this weekend and will be hoping none of their rivals pull away from what is a tight scrap at the bottom.

It’s a cup weekend in Division Two, with UCC’s visit to Quins one of the most intriguing ties on paper.

The Farmers Cross outfit won 4-1 in the sides’ most recent league fixture, but College have shown they are well capable of getting a result on their day, drawing 1-1 with Waterford earlier this term despite only having 10 players available.

Institute host Moyne/Thurles in a clash of last year’s top two, while Ashton meet Bandon and Waterford travel to C of I in search of revenge for last weekend’s 2-0 defeat.

Oakley is the Irish Hockey Association’s western regional development officer, which brings both Munster and Connacht into his remit, a full-time, multi-faceted position that sees him working with the branches to organise underage blitzes one minute, and helping to establish a club in the wilds of County Mayo the next, while training youth leaders in between.

As if that wasn’t enough, Oakley also lines out for Belvedere and coaches the women of Cork Church of Ireland, but he couldn’t be happier; this hockey junkie only picked up a stick for the first time at 18 years of age at UCC, and hasn’t looked back.

He’s also well-placed to take the pulse of the future of Munster hockey, a particularly hot topic this year given the merry-go-round at the start of the season on the men’s side of things.

Phil Oakley in his role as Cork C of I coach, watching his charges against Cork Harlequins. Picture: Adrian Boehm

His Belvedere side took the unprecedented step of demoting themselves from the men’s Division One, citing the need to build from the bottom again to secure the club’s future.

Bandon B subsequently followed suit, and Catholic Institute briefly flirted with the idea of joining them in Division Two. Thankfully, the Rosbrien outfit decided to stay put, but the overall message was clear – something has to be done to increase player numbers.

“We’re in a good position on the girls side of the sport, the U10 and U12 blitz in Quins in November had more than 600 attending, which is absolutely huge,” offers Oakley.

“But on the boys side, the numbers are declining across the board, so we need to address that. In comparison to girls hockey, you might have had 170 boys at the biggest blitz last year. That’s probably the biggest challenge, to get boys and mens hockey back on its feet.”

The push is on at secondary level, and a number of clubs, such as C of I, Catholic Institute, Limerick and Ashton, have increased their numbers partially off their own back and also with Oakley’s help. But as Oakley points out, having just five schools playing boys hockey in a province the size of Munster “isn’t good enough”.

He knows a short-term fix isn’t the answer here, which is why the majority of his efforts is aimed at primary school level. Here the emphasis is on forging links between clubs and primary schools.

“Kids at 13 or 14 are more likely to streamline into one sport, whereas 11 or 12-year-olds are still trying everything,” he says. “Trying to set up those links is very difficult. Ashton School have had good links with C of I for a long time, which has been strengthened by someone like Dave Hobbs going back teaching and coaching. Quins had that for a while too. So maybe getting ex-pupils back into the schools might be one option.

“Or, they could set up new club-school links – if there’s a school in their area that they would like to target, we can help them out with things like equipment and help them source a coach. It’s a case of them either setting up a link with a school that is playing hockey, such as one from our Tricks 4 Sticks programme, or if it’s a new school we can help them develop a link.

“But the school must be open to bringing hockey in, it’s very difficult to set up the sport in a school that have no interest in hockey. Its not simply a case of pointing out a school and we arrive at the door with a bunch of sticks.”

Oakley has attempted to facilitate the process via the aforementioned Tricks 4 Sticks programme, a further development of an initiative suggested by the Munster branch which was successfully piloted in Cork last year, and will be rolled out nationwide.

He wrote to schools across Cork city and county in targeted areas where there are clubs that can facilitate new members inviting them to participate.

Catholic Institute's Kym Daly coaches at the Model School in Limerick, helping to increase numbers at her club in the process. Picture: Eoin Tyrrell

This year, 26 schools took part, with Quins forward Dave Egner making his way around to each school, taking specially-designed sessions aimed at capturing the interest of kids who were complete beginners. Each participant was given a letter for their parents detailing the club(s) in their area, training times and contact details.

On the back of this venture, Bandon invited participating schools to the club for an open day last year, and increased their underage section by 10% as a result. A finals open day of sorts, coached by Irish internationals and other high-profile players, held near the end of the school year, copper-fastened the process.

Long-term, the idea is to set up primary schools leagues, which has already been done in Limerick, with eight schools now partaking in regular blitzes. The programme is also running in parts of Leinster and as far afield as Clones.

Oakley admits that not all clubs grasped the nettle, but is happy that the programme can now expand and improve.

“Some clubs didn’t take the opportunity and that’s what we need to change this year – it was a learning process for us as it was the first year,” he says.

“This year we wanted to grow the programme by another 10 schools, which will mean there will be 30 participating in Munster. This wouldn’t be possible without the Irish Sports Council, who have given us extra funding as they really believe in the programme.

“We’re giving information to the clubs so it’s up to them to grasp that opportunity, and while some clubs have been great, we need more to follow suit and be proactive. They need to understand that we are here to support but we can’t do all the work for them – they need to take the first step.

“To be fair, a lot of the clubs have been very supportive of the programme this year, and the key for us is that they can account for any successes that the programme has in their club. We need to measure the numbers Tricks 4 Sticks are generating, so that we know if the investment has been worth it.”

Of particular interest to Oakley, and Munster hockey in general, is the development of the game in Limerick, to maintain two natural centres for the sport to bloom.

Being a university team, UL naturally don’t have an underage section, but Oakley is happy to report that both the Catholic Institute and Limerick clubs are at full capacity in terms of underage girls, and their underage boys sections are going from strength to strength.

Therefore, he has taken steps to form a third junior girls club working out of Crescent College, but finding coaches is proving to be the biggest stumbling block. The IHA are hopeful that the new club will begin to find its feet in 2009 and will officially be set up for the 2009/10 season.

This isn’t a unique problem in the Treaty City – Oakley explains that Institute have their own pitch but a dearth of coaches, while Limerick have plenty of volunteers but not enough pitch time.

He also cites the latter – named Emerging Club of the Year at the most recent ESB Irish Hockey awards – as the blueprint for other clubs looking to strengthen their youth section.

Oakley says he will be happy with the work he has done on the developmental side as long as he keeps seeing progress. Picture courtesy IHA

“At Limerick, when you come along with your child, the coaches are waiting for you, and say ‘We’ll take your son or daughter provided you give up a Saturday to come and help’, so they guarantee volunteers,” he explains.

“After that, you’re taken to see a presentation of what is expected of both parents and kids, so no-one’s under any illusions. Then you’re taken into another room where Gilmour Sports sort you out with all the gear and safety equipment.

“They already have a waiting list of kids aged five who won’t start for three years – that’s how forward-thinking they are. They’ve got 450 kids in their system, and you could only think of the potential they could have if they had their own pitch.”

Predictably, both Institute and Limerick still have spaces for boys, and the focus is on developing the game in mixed and all-boys schools as a result – for example, Institute’s Ireland A international Kym Daly is coaching in the Model School, a mixed school where some of the boys now attend Catholic Institute.

As you’d expect, the processes aren’t confined to the cities, though Oakley cites the development of rural clubs as “one of our main failings so far” and is hoping to beef up the work done outside Cork and Limerick.

Attempts are being made to link a burgeoning junior section in Kilmallock with the fledgling senior club in Bruff, while Oakley says Tipperary, Clonmel and Moyne Thurles are clubs that the IHA would like to see junior sections being formed in, as there is currently no underage hockey in the county aside from in schools.

In the Déise county, where the distance required to travel to any away game can be a major deterrent to players, he is trying to foster links between the Waterford club and WIT, with a strengthening underage section now doing well in Dungarvan.

To this end, Oakley has been encouraging Newtown School to work with both the area’s senior clubs to help develop their underage sections.

Oakley is also forthright with his opinions on steps to develop hockey at veteran and committee level. He is attempting to formalise a six-a-side women’s veteran structure on the basis that “if you get those club members back playing, the are more likely to help out” on the volunteerism side of things as well as offering opportunities in hockey to those no longer playing it.

He acknowledges that those on the Munster branch don’t have it easy, copping flak from all sides yet soldiering on because no-one else seems to want the responsibility.

“Since I picked up a stick the make-up of the branch hasn’t changed that much in terms of the volunteer base, with few new volunteers taking on roles. This leads to volunteers becoming frustrated and burnt out, but the problem is that there aren’t enough people willing to come forward,” he offers.

“It’s up to the branch to find ways of changing that, and we are trying to bring in people to do smaller projects, where the branch can also lend its expertise and ideas. In some ways it’s disappointing to see the same people there year in, year out, but at the same time I have to admire their commitment – without them the whole thing will fall apart.

“The branch now need to find ways to increase the number of volunteers and replace themselves. At AGMs people just won’t put their hands up to take up a role. People aren’t as generous with their time as they used to be, that has changed a lot in ten years.

“People become frustrated with it, which is understandable as everyone can’t be happy. And part of it as a sign of the times. But the sport’s going to die unless we find a way to bring people back in.”

To help remedy this, the IHA runs a youth leadership programme for 15-21-year-olds – Oakley says 50 have been trained in Munster alone in 2008 – who go back to their clubs and umpire, coach, manage teams and help out in general.

David Hobbs has helped foster and maintain links with his club C of I and alma mater Ashton by teaching and coaching at the school. Picture: Adrian Boehm

He also singles out Mary Walsh – the IHA’s Volunteer of the Year – and her youth committee for the work they have done in implementing the transition to the new underage structures piloted by Mick McKinnon: “Without her, my job would be very difficult.”

While Oakley, as you’d expect, paints a bright picture for the future development of Munster hockey, he acknowledges there is a major cloud on the horizon.

The government’s decision to curtail funding for substitute teachers is expected to have serious knock-on effects for sport in schools, and is hardly conducive to schools welcoming a new sport with open arms when they can barely keep their existing ones running.

“The big issue here is for schools whose teachers undertake their training sessions and go to matches. A lot of schools employ external coaches so that teachers aren’t required to leave class, but it’s expensive and not all schools can afford it,” says Oakley.

“It’s a real shame, especially for smaller schools or schools where hockey is played and it may not be their main sport – I would be concerned that in schools like this, fringe sports may be removed with the focus and funding going on the main sports. Of course, this affects all sports and not just hockey, so I’m sure we’re not the only ones worried about this.

“Hopefully it won’t have any effect on our primary school work, but I can see some major consequences on getting the sport into new schools for the reasons I pointed out above, unless we can find external coaches from local clubs and build links there.

“Alternatively, we need to ensure that anyone who wants to play hockey can be given that opportunity, and if that has to be in a club instead of a school because of lack of funding, then that’s what needs to happen.”

Despite these obstacles, Oakley is satisfied with his overall raison d’etre and has a clear message to anyone worried about the future of Munster hockey.

“People need to realise we’ve only had a regional development officer for 18 months, it’s going to take a hell of a lot of time for us to turn things around, even on the girls side there are clubs who could be much stronger,” he offers.

“People need to be patient first of all, we’ve had some reasonable success in the first year. I did a presentation on my first yea for the branch AGM and once I completed it I was surprised by the amount we’d actually achieved.

“It’s great to hear people’s opinions and I don’t mind criticism where it’s deserved. We need people coming forward with ideas, because we don’t have all the answers, and we don’t claim to. But on the other hand, people will often ignore the successes and focus on the negative things, which can be quite frustrating.

“When you put yourself in a public position, people think you’re there to be kicked about, and when you do something good, you often don’t get the recognition you deserve. I’m not saying we’ve done anything fantastic, but we’re trying our best and we have seen progress, as long as we’re seeing that I’ll be happy.”

C of I's Grace Young (front) and Suzy Herbert celebrate Mel Ryan's opening goal against UCC last month. The Garryduff girls will be looking to record their sixth straight win over College this weekend. Picture: Eoin Tyrrell

Another chapter in what has become one of the most enduring rivalries in Irish club hockey will be written today when Cork Church of Ireland and UCC meet in the quarter-finals of the women’s Munster Senior Cup at Garryduff (2pm).

An open draw for the tournament has resulted in last year’s finalists meeting again at the first hurdle this time around, with history weighing heavy on the students’ minds.

College will feel they owe C of I one, as the Rochestown girls have won the sides’ last five encounters by a single goal.

Their most recent meeting on December 20 saw C of I’s Mel Ryan hit a last-ditch winner, after College had recovered from 2-0 down to level it up.

That win put a serious dent in College’s league ambitions and revived C of I’s, following their 2-0 loss to champions and leaders Cork Harlequins earlier this term.

C of I also annexed their first Munster Senior Cup in three decades at College’s expense last season, with Rebecca Sweetnam’s golden goal the only strike of the game, and there will be little love lost between the sides this afternoon.

The hosts go into the clash slightly under-strength. Forwards Suzy Herbert and Lauragh O’Neill are currently out of the country, while new signing Jennifer Kenefick, who arrived from Railway Union, is unable to take her place at centre-back having not played the requisite number of league games.

The same applies to another talented central defender, Jenifer Hales,  who has resumed training in recent weeks after taking a year out for personal reasons.

College coaches Denis Pritchard and Paidi Hartnett won’t have a full deck to pick from either; captain Jean Long is abroad while defender Sarah Gray is in the final stages of recovery from a long-term knee injury.

Elsewhere, UL have given Bandon a walkover in one of the other quarter-finals, as they are unable to field a team with the academic term yet to begin.

Sisters Áine (left) and Sinéad Connery will do battle once more. Picture: Eoin Tyrrell

In the other two ties, Catholic Institute will be favourites to oust Ashton despite having to travel.

But the Rosbrien girls didn’t have it all their own way in a league encounter with the Division One basement side before Christmas, winning by the odd goal in three.

Nonetheless, they should have enough firepower in the form of that day’s goalscorers Kym Daly and Naomi Carroll, along with Rosie Pratt, to claim a spot in the last four.

The same applies to Cork Harlequins, who head to Ballincollig to take on Belvedere. This is the most mismatched tie on paper, with Quins in their familiar position at the top of the table while Belvedere are at the wrong end.

But if the hosts can show some strength in resolve by frustrating Quins and prevent them from scoring early, it may be an uncomfortable afternoon for the defending league champions.

There’s a repeat of the Peard Cup final in the men’s Division One as Quins meet Bandon at Harlequin Park, with the west Cork men determined to have another crack at the city side after narrowly going down 1-0 on St Stephen’s Day.

That game is likely to be Geert Fromme’s last for Quins, as the Erasmus student is set to return to Holland later this month. Fromme has had an interesting soujourn in Cork, having been instrumental in his side’s 4-2 win over rivals C of I, while he helped CIT to the final of the intervarsities.

Meanwhile, UCC will be hoping to overturn a surprise 8-1 hammering at the hands of Quins B when the sides clash in the Charity Cup. A flood of second-half goals put paid to the students’ hopes before Christmas, and they will be mindful of not yielding once again to a side they are likely to be battling with at the wrong end of Division One.

In Division Two, Galway can finally resume their promotion bid after a series of postponements left them inactive for more than two months. They put their 100% record on the line at Belvedere.

UCC's Orla Crowley gets low to tackle Cork C of I's Julie O'Sullivan. Picture: Eoin Tyrrell

Melanie Ryan capped a memorable week that saw her called up to the Ireland A squad by bagging a double that propelled Cork Church of Ireland back into the title race with a 3-2 win over rivals UCC on Saturday.

Ryan fired home off a short corner switch early on before Julie O’Sullivan deflected the ball home on the stroke of half-time following Michaela Mihailou’s surging run.

But College, who have seen league and cup ambitions scuppered by C of I in recent seasons, were a different side on the resumption and quickly wiped out C of I’s advantage.

Ali O’Regan deflected home Audrey O’Flynn’s ball at the back post off a well-worked short corner, before repeating the trick minutes later after Áine Connery had wreaked havoc down the left.

But Ryan struck in the final minutes, her short corner slap finding the net via O’Flynn’s stick, to break College hearts once again.

With Cork Harlequins winning 1-0 at home to Bandon thanks to a Cliodhna Sargent strike, they now lead the way by six points, but both College and C of I have games in hand.

Elsewhere, Naomi Carroll and Kym Daly halted Catholic Institute’s recent slump by scoring in a 2-1 win over Ashton, with Ailse Holland scoring for the hosts.

There were big wins for leaders C of I and basement boys Quins B in the men’s league. C of I hammered Catholic Institute 11-0 with Jonny Bruton claiming a hat-trick, while John Jermyn, Andy Herbert and Adam Pritchard were on target twice each.

Quins' Cliodhna Sargent goes for broke against Bandon. Picture: Rob Hobbs

Dutchman Geert Fromme was the other hat-trick hero of the weekend as Quins B picked up their first win of the season in emphatic style, hammering UCC 8-1.

C of I C are now six points clear at the top of Division Two after dispatching Bandon B 2-0 on Friday night, but they are still likely to face a stern challenge from Galway, who haven’t played in weeks but still have three wins from three, and have as many games in hand.

In Division Three, Catholic Institute B had little difficulty seeing off Belvedere B 5-0, while things were even easier for Midleton, who recorded a 13-0 win – the biggest margin of victory in all three divisions this season – over a depleted UCC B.

The women’s Division Two saw Quins’ resurgence continue with a 1-0 win over Institute, while C of I were easy 5-1 winners over Ashton. Shirleen Rowntree hit Bandon’s winner as they ousted UCC 1-0.

Dungarvan scored a notable 2-1 win at Quins in Division Three, while South East U18 player Faye Loughnane was once again among the goals as Waterford defeated Fermoy 2-0.

More photos from UCC vs C of I and Quins vs Bandon available here

Mick McGuinness fired drag-flicks in the fifth and 69th minutes to give Fingal a famous 2-0 victory in yesterday’s refixed Irish Hockey League clash, a result which leaves Pool B wide open.

And Leinster title-holders Rovers were also on the wrong end of a first league reverse since October 2007 on Saturday, surprisingly going down 2-1 to struggling Railway Union.

Elsewhere in the IHL Pool B,  Lisnagarvey reeled in a three-goal deficit to claim a thrilling 5-4 victory over Monkstown as Cork native Jason Lynch grabbed a sensational winner with three minutes to go.

Lisnagarvey's Jason Lynch careers through the Monkstown defence at Rathdown earlier today. The Cork-born star scored Garvey's winner a 5-4 epic. Picture: Adrian Boehm

Strikes from Gareth Watkins, teen sensation Stephen Cole and Filip Jaros had put the Dubliners 3-0 up at Rathdown, and they looked to have quelled a possible Garvey revival when Watkins cancelled out Timmy Cockram’s penalty corner after the break.

But Stuart McNeice gave Garvey renewed hope on 43 minutes, and Cockram rammed home penalty corners either side of the end of the third quarter to tie it up, before Lynch coolly converted a three-on-one to seal a stunning comeback.

Meanwhile, the biting cold in Belfast claimed the Instonians v Pembroke Wanderers clash for a second time, while the Cookstown/Annadale saga rumbles on after the latter appealed for a postponement, causing yet another fixture headache for tournament organisers.

The shocks continued in the women’s IHL yesterday, where last season’s Irish Senior Cup winners Pegasus were defeated 3-2 by Loreto.

Alex Speers nudged the Belfast ladies in front early on, but international colleague Nikki Symmons’ drag had Loreto level by the end of the first quarter.

Teenager Zara Delany — who claimed an eight-minute hat-trick in Loreto’s opening IHL encounter against Belfast Harlequins — found the net either side of half-time before Speers setup a nervy finale, but the Ulster kingpins couldn’t find an equaliser.

In Pool B, second-half strikes from Catriona McGlip and Rosie Carrigan saw UCD give Ballymoney the slip on a 2-0 scoreline at Belfield yesterday.

Elsewhere, Cork Harlequins’ men did the double over Cork Church of Ireland B this weekend, but not without suffering a major fright against the Garryduff club’s second string.
C of I B were 2-0 up on their illustrious rivals in Saturday’s league tie with breakaway goals from Andrew Gray and Mark Holmes.

But a John Hobbs double and Dave Egner’s strike pulled the game out of the fire for Quins in a 3-2 win, while Hobbs and Paul Lombard were on the scoresheet yesterday as they won their Peard Cup semi-final against the same opposition 2-0. They will meet Bandon in the final on December 27.

The cold weather claimed Munster’s only other Division One fixture, a keenly-awaited the top-of-the-table tie between the women of UCC and Cork Harlequins.

Cork camogie star Emer Dillon in action for Leinster pace-setters Railway Union against Trinity on Saturday. Picture: Adrian Boehm

As explained elsewhere on this site, few of the Irish Trophy and Irish Challenge games went ahead, but the best of those that survived the freeze was played out at Newtown, where second division Waterford pushed Catholic Institute all the way before going down 4-3.

There was heartbreak for Limerick in both the men’s and women’s Irish Challenge matches – the latter went down 3-2 to Greenfields, while the men were cruising at 2-0 against Down thanks to goals from Robbie Ryan and Roy Harvey, only for Mark Elliot’s brace and Jareth McGready to complete a memorable comeback for the northerners.

Cork C of I were the big winners in the women’s lower ranks, defeating rivals Harlequins 1-0 (Div 2) and 7-0 (Div 3) and UCC 4-0 in Div 4.

In the men’s leagues, Belvedere recorded a notable 5-3 victory at Harlequins C in Division Two, while amazingly, all but one of the games in Division Three survived the weather, with Belvedere B’s clash with UCC C the only game to bite the dust.

Runaway leaders Quins D surrendered their 100% record at the hands of C of I E, drawing 2-2, with the latter now in joint second place with Ashton, who were 6-2 winners at C of I F.

Midleton drop back a few places after failing to fulfil their fixture away to Limerick B, while Catholic Institute B moved themselves back into contention with a 3-2 defeat of UCC. Dave Kavanagh bagged a hat-trick for the Rosbrien side, with James O’Reilly and Dickie Barrett replying for the Mardyke lads.

The branch has written to each club to remind them of the consequences of failing to fulfill their fixtures, noting that what it describes as “a disturbing pattern” has re-emerged this season, particularly with reference to Cork-based teams travelling to Limerick.

Terming such instances as “unfair” and “inconsiderate behaviour”, MBIHA fixtures committee chairman Dermot Judge noted that such instances are a turn-off for players, volunteers and supporters, and that club officials’ time and pitch time is being wasted.

“The MBIHA expect all clubs to ensure that all their fixtures are fulfilled, especially those involving travel. These rules (dealing with forefits) are being enforced in the hope that in future clubs will fulfill their fixtures instead of facing these penalties and so the host clubs losses are reduced,” he said.

“We understand that clubs and officials in the traveling teams are in many cases let down by their members, but ultimately we expect that the clubs instill in their players the responsibility of all teams fulfilling all fixtures using what methods they can (such as) rearranging matches well in advance if there are issues with a particular date.”

“We would hope to make forfeited matches a thing of the past – primarily so that all players an volunteers in Munster are treated fairly and get to play their matches. If clubs enter teams in a division then they should complete their fixtures in that division.”

While welcoming further suggestions as to how matters could be improved, Mr Judge reminded clubs of the penalties incurred if matches are forfeited.

These include the opposition being awarded a win, while the offending team is deducted one points for the first offence in a season, two for the second and three for the third.

They also lose home advantage for their next league or cup tie against the opposition in question – a sanction that can carry over to the next season if necessary, are fined €50 are shall be liable for justifiable rent for the reverse fixture.

The hosts had infiltrated the Quins circle on a number of occasions with little reward, until Clinton Sweetnam’s 50th minute drag hit the net to put them one up.

But Thomas Cotter levelled matters for Quins B just three minutes later, and neither side was able to break the deadlock, forcing extra-time.

It looked as if this semi-final would have to be decided by the lottery of strokes until Alastair Smith popped up to hit a golden goal winner with ust 38 seconds remaining.

Bandon will now face the winners of next weekend’s re-fixed semi-final between Quins A and C of I B on Stephen’s Day.

Despite going out of two cup competitions this weekend, Quins B can take some solace from some solid performances against sides above them in the league table, as they look to extricate themselves from their current slump.

Meanwhile, C of I C consolidated their place at the top of Division Two with a 6-1 defeat of Bandon C, while Galway must again wait to resue their promotion challenge after their clash with Belvedere did not go ahead.

In Division Three, Alastair Murphy helped himself to five goals as Midleton made up some ground on runaway leader Quins D with an 8-0 dismissal of C of I F.

Quins B players are left dejected as Bandon's Alastair Smith celebrates his golden goal winner in the Peard Cup semi-final. Picture: Andrew Kingston

They move up to second at the expense of UCC B, who plummeted to sixth after surprisingly going down 4-1 at C of I E.

The hosts hit the front via a Dermot Judge short corner strike, before Nigel Bateman’s deflection made it 2-0 at the break.

College had a strong side out but C of I were far more ruthless in front of goal, with Luke O’Halloran adding a third that will surely have impressed older sister and Irish international Julia, who was on umpiring duty.

Lee Gardiner put the result beyond doubt for C of I, before Mark Barry’s tidy deflection gave the students a late consolation.

Elsewhere, Quins E caused a surprise when they held Catholic Institute B to a 1-1 draw, just the second time the Limerick lads have dropped points this season. Niall Kelleher struck for the hosts, with Dara Crowe replying for Institute.

Derek O’Sullivan’s double helped Belvedere B continue their recent good run, as they held Ashton – for whom Keith Banks hit his third in two games – to a 3-3 draw at Ballincollig.

Munster U18 representative Mark Holland and Connell Deevy were also on target for the Ballinlough side, with Mike Quaid hitting Belvedere’s third.

Meanwhile, there was late drama at the Mardyke as UCC C attempted to claim their first points of the season against Limerick B.

Early goals from Nathan Eacrett and Stephen Park had the visitors two up, but Will Van Bavel finished off a tidy move at the back post before the break to give College hope.

The students were on the attack 10 minutes from time when umpire Cormac Moloney signalled for a short corner following a stick chop, but downgraded the offence to a free after Limerick players remonstrated that the foul had taken place outside the circle.

College took the free quickly, with Van Bavel again on hand to apply the finishing touch, an equalising score which enraged the visitors, who were apparently still awaiting a short corner.

The goal was eventually chalked off to the chagrin of the students, and College fired wide from the short corner before dangerman Nick Scholl showed them how it’s done at the other end minutes later, and Eacrett finished the job with a fourth just before the whistle.

Meanwhile, things are tight at the top of the women’s Division Three after Dymphna Hill’s double saw C of I hand leaders Belvedere a surprise 2-0 home defeat.

They were now just a point in arrears, as are Fermoy who recorded a 3-1 win over Dungarvan, with Trish Fitzpatrick’s double and an Orla Cotter strike bettering Sharon Duggan’s goal for the visitors.

Meanwhile, Quins picked up their first points of the campaign as goals from Susanne Black and Niamh Lane propelled them to a 2-0 win over fellow strugglers Midleton.

Tipperary were unable to repeat Saturday’s heroics against UCC in Division Four, going down 2-1 at home to Cobh. Fiona O’Regan and Noelle Walsh sent the seasiders home happy, with Ciara O’Sullivan on the scoresheet for the hosts for the second time this weekend.

C of I A and C of I B both advanced in the Combined Div 5/6 Cup, though the former needed extra time to see off Ashton 2-0, and the latter’s clash with Belvedere was decided on strokes after a scoreless stalemate. Dungarvan – 1-0 winners over Bruff – also advanced, while Limerick’s Division Five side got the better of their lower division club counterparts 3-0.

In the only game in Division Six, UCC dealt Dungarvan’s title hopes a blow as they came away from west Waterford with a 0-0 draw.