That they served up one of the season’s most memorable encounters will be little consolation to Cork Harlequins, whose Irish Hockey League hopes were mathematically ended by Monkstown, who came from behind three times to win 5-4 in a Harlequin Park thriller, while C of I were surprisingly humbled 4-0 by Corinthian.
University College Cork’s off-field woes have continued with the news that they have been docked two women’s Irish Hockey League points for fielding an ineligible player.
Bandon’s heart-wrenching loss to Three Rock Ladies was the only bit of bad news on a brilliantly productive day for Munster women’s hockey in Irish competition. Ashton will keep the flag flying for the province after dispatching North Kildare to reach the semi-finals of the Irish Trophy, while there’ll be an all-Munster final of the Irish Challenge between Limerick and Dungarvan.
Cork Harlequins froze when it mattered most as their Irish Junior Cup odyssy came to an end with a 4-1 quarter-final defeat to Three Rock Rovers at Harlequin Park on Saturday. Meanwhile, two wins and 13 goals saw C of I go top of the table and advance to a Peard Cup final against Quins.
The Munster women’s title is Catholic Institute’s to lose, after they again prevailed against UCC by a one-goal margin, this time via a 2-1 success at Rosbrien.
Tomorrow is a red letter day for Bandon and Ashton as they bid to reach the last four of the women’s Irish Trophy for the first time, while Catholic Institute can put one hand on the Munster league title if they defeat UCC at Rosbrien.