Cork Church of Ireland and Cork Harlequins will, amazingly, contest four cup finals in men’s hockey this weekend – part of a bumper few days of deciders that also sees the women’s Div 3, 4 and 6 cups up for grabs.
It’s a vital weekend for UCC and Cork Harlequins, who are still battling for the automatic Irish Hockey League qualification spot offered by finishing second in Munster.
A remarkable weekend in Munster hockey saw Catholic Institute end Cork Harlequins’ 15-year dominance of the women’s league, Quins steal a march on C of I in the men’s title race and Limerick ladies bring home a national title, but there was heartbreak on the national stage as UCC’s men went down by the odd goal in three.
A potentially memorable weekend lies in store for Munster hockey with three sides seeking maiden Irish cup titles, while there are a slew of pivotal ties as the leagues approach the business end of the season.
The 21-year wait for women’s Munster Senior Cup glory is over for Catholic Institute, who left it late to eventually see off Cork Harlequins 5-2 in an entertaining final at Garryduff on Saturday.
David Hobbs offered Irish coach Paul Revington a timely reminder of his talents with a hat-trick and a man-of-the-match performance as Cork Church of Ireland crushed Bandon 6-1 in the Munster Senior Cup final on Saturday.