C of I continue hoodoo over UCC

Melanie Ryan capped a memorable week that saw her called up to the Ireland A squad by bagging a double that propelled Cork Church of Ireland back into the title race with a 3-2 win over rivals UCC on Saturday. Ryan fired home off a short corner switch early on before Julie O’Sullivan deflected the ball home on the stroke of half-time following Michaela Mihailou’s surging run. But College, who have seen league and cup ambitions scuppered by C of I in recent seasons, were a different side on the resumption and quickly wiped out C of I’s advantage. Ali O’Regan deflected home Audrey O’Flynn’s ball at the back post off a well-worked short corner, before repeating the trick minutes later after Áine Connery had wreaked havoc down the left. But Ryan struck in the final minutes, her short corner slap finding the net via O’Flynn’s stick, to break College hearts once again. With Cork Harlequins winning 1-0 at home to Bandon thanks to a Cliodhna Sargent strike, they now lead the way by six points, but both College and C of I have games in hand. Elsewhere, Naomi Carroll and Kym Daly halted Catholic Institute’s recent slump by scoring in a 2-1 win over Ashton, with Ailse Holland scoring for the hosts. There were big wins for leaders C of I and basement boys Quins B in the men’s league. C of I hammered Catholic Institute 11-0 with Jonny Bruton claiming a hat-trick, while John Jermyn, Andy Herbert and Adam Pritchard were on target twice each.

Dutchman Geert Fromme was the other hat-trick hero of the weekend as Quins B picked up their first win of the season in emphatic style, hammering UCC 8-1. C of I C are now six points clear at the top of Division Two after dispatching Bandon B 2-0 on Friday night, but they are still likely to face a stern challenge from Galway, who haven’t played in weeks but still have three wins from three, and have as many games in hand. In Division Three, Catholic Institute B had little difficulty seeing off Belvedere B 5-0, while things were even easier for Midleton, who recorded a 13-0 win – the biggest margin of victory in all three divisions this season – over a depleted UCC B. The women’s Division Two saw Quins’ resurgence continue with a 1-0 win over Institute, while C of I were easy 5-1 winners over Ashton. Shirleen Rowntree hit Bandon’s winner as they ousted UCC 1-0. Dungarvan scored a notable 2-1 win at Quins in Division Three, while South East U18 player Faye Loughnane was once again among the goals as Waterford defeated Fermoy 2-0. More photos from UCC vs C of I and Quins vs Bandon available here