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.
Three Rock Rovers will hope Leeside continues to be a happy hunting ground for them as they come calling to Farmer’s Cross for an Irish Junior Cup quarter-final clash with Cork Harlequins tomorrow (2pm).
Limerick hockey has gone from strength to strength in recent years, and Crescent College Comprehensive provided further proof of the Treaty city’s new prominence with a deserved 3-1 Munster Senior Schoolgirls Cup final win over Mount Mercy yesterday.