Bandon’s hoodoo over UCC continued after David Smith’s golden goal saw them qualify for the Munster Senior Cup final at the expense of the students on a 4-3 score-line. C of I B won the battle of the second strings in the league 2-1, and also qualified for the Munster Junior Cup final, where they will again face Quins B.
Cork Harlequins will hope for some distraction from their domestic woes when they travel to UCD in the ESB Irish Senior Cup quarter-final at Belfield on Saturday (1pm).
Alex Speers has set her sights on becoming the first skipper to lead the Irish women’s hockey team to the Olympics, after she was named as the senior side’s new captain this week, with Emma Clarke taking up the vice-captaincy sole.
UCC overturned a two-goal deficit to stun Rathgar Chiefs 4-3 and earn a home semi-final in the men’s Irish Trophy, while C of I exited the Irish Senior Cup after blowing a similar advantage of their own and going down by the odd goal in seven to Cookstown.
Bandon and Ashton both made resounding progress in the women’s Irish Hockey Trophy, while Catholic Institute raided the Mardyke to strengthen their grip on the Division 1 title race. UCC recovered to beat Quins 24 hours later, while UL gave C of I a thorough workout on their new sand pitch (above) before going down 2-0. Meanwhile, three Munster teams – Limerick, Clonmel and Dungarvan – will be present in the Irish Challenge semi-finals
Cork C of I host Cookstown in a rearraged Irish Senior Cup tie (Garryduff, 1.30pm) knowing this represents their best chance of progress on the Irish stage, following last weekend’s IHL mauling at the hands of Glenanne.