Cups provide welcome distraction for Quins B

It’s a season-defining few days for Cork Harlequins B as their hopes of progression in two cup competitions are in the balance this weekend. The Farmers Cross second string have had little to shout about so far this season, having failed to pick up a point in five league encounters, shipping 27 goals in the process. But they have a chance to put their league woes aside fro a while as they compete in both the Irish Junior Cup and Peard Cup this weekend. The IJC second round game sees them pitted in a Cork derby against C of I B, who have claimed three wins from four this term, one of which was a 4-1 defeat of tomorrow’s opposition.

Dutch import Geert Fromme has been a key player for Quins B this term, but has deservedly worked his way into the first-team squad and is unlikely to be available. On Sunday, Quins B take on a side of similar strength when they visit Bandon Grammar School to take on Bandon, a team full of condfidence after their 8-0 mauling of Catholic Institute in their last outing. While the presence of Quins A on the other side of the draw means winning the competition is a near-impossible dream, the carrot of a St Stephen’s Day showdown should be motivation enough for both sides. That’s not Bandon’s only big game this weekend, as they visit Garryduff on Saturday with the less-than-appealing task of locking horns with a scorned C of I side. The Rochestown outfit left Banbridge with just a bonus point to show for their efforts in the IHL last weekend, despite taking an early lead through Stephen Parker. But some disciplined defence in and around the circle from the hosts meant John Jermyn didn’t get a chance to show-off his drag-flicking until five minutes from time, and he found Gareth Lennox up to the task. C of I coach Stephen Jackson will be hoping his side will bounce back in style from that defeat – their second on the trot after the 4-2 Peard Cup defeat to Quins. He’ll also be keen to see his side find the net from play, given their last few encounters have highlighted a chink in their armour in this regard, with an over-reliance on Jermyn’s short-corner striking. The omens aren’t good for Bandon, who have already lost 2-1 this term to C of I B, but they can at least go into the clash knowing they have forwards in good form – Alastair Smith and Graham Kingston have both been among the goals in most of their games this term. Elsewhere, the second Peard Cup semi-final between Quins A and C of I B has been moved to Sunday week, but Quins will be looking to keep up the pressure on C of I at the top of the table by defeating Catholic Institute at home. The Limerick men have had a torrid time recently, shipping eight goals to both UCC and Bandon in recent weeks, and they can expect a backlash from Quins, who will have some anger to take out after last Saturday’s sour 4-1 home defeat at the hands of Glenanne. In Division Two, Galway finally get to resume their promotion challenge after nearly a month of inactivity when they travel south to take on Belvedere A. The westerners are in fourth, two points behind leaders C of I C, but have at least one game in hand on all the teams above them. However, C of I C will expect to maintain their lead no matter what the result in Ballincollig, as they travel to basement boys Bandon C, who are pointless after five games. In the only other clash in the division, Quins C will look to pull away from the relegation zone as they take on mid-table C of I D. In Division Three, second-placed UCC B look to close the gap on runaway leaders Quins D – who have the weekend off – when they play third-placed C of I E at Garryduff. Midleton will be hoping to bounce back into contention after their recent drubbing at the hands of the leaders when they meet C of I F, while Catholic Institute – who have two games in hand on Quins D – travel to Quins E. Limerick will be hopeful of reducing their chances of being relegated to Division Four after Christmas when they travel to UCC C, who are already there after failing to pick up a point yet this term.