Aine Connery can’t hide her embarrassment while Orla Crowley sums up all of UCC’s feelings, after the former College star netted the crucial opening goal in Hermes’ 2-0 IHL win over the students. It was a bad weekend in the capital for Cork teams, with Quins and C of I also losing, but the Irish Trophy yielded more success as almost all Munster outfits who took to the field advanced to the next round.
Ireland will once again be left on the outside looking in at a major tournament as their faint hopes of having a shot at World Cup qualification were dashed by Argentina in Quilmes on Saturday, though some pride was restored with a golden goal, 2-1 win over Czech Republic in the bronze medal playoff.
Each of Munster’s three representatives in the women’s Irish Hockey League will be seeking capital gains this weekend as all face tricky trips to Dublin for the second round of the competition — where they will renew acquaintances with former team-mates.
Ireland have been left with the unenviable task of having to defeat hosts Argentina by three goals on Saturday to have any chance of keeping their World Cup qualification hopes alive after drawing with the Czech Republic.
Ten goals and two wins represents a satisfactory start to Ireland’s World Cup qualification campaign in Argentina, but Paul Revington will know his side must step up a gear in their crucial clash with Belgium tomorrow.
UCC turned the formbook on its head with a penalty strokes win over Quins in the women’s Irish Junior Cup, while three other Munster sides progressed to round three. Quins and Institute continued their winning ways in the women’s league, while Quins B claimed a notable win at Institute in the only tie of a men’s programme hit by postponements.