University of Ulster Elks walked away with both the Mauritius and Chilean Cups on home turf at Jordanstown yesterday, completing an exceptionally successful intervarsity tournament for both sides.
A remarkable symmetry characterised the business end of both the men’s and women’s tournaments, with the semi-finals and finals matching in both competitions.
The majority of the drama occurred in the women’s tournament, starting with UCC’s semi-final clash with the Elks. A lop-sided had draw had seen College sail through their group without being seriously tested by NUIG, UL, DCU or RCSI, and the shell-shocked Cork students subsequently shipped three goals to the Elks inside the first 20 minutes.
Vicky O’Sullivan hauled them back into it in the second half, at 3-1 but when Julia O’Halloran saw her penalty stroke brilliantly saved with five minutes to go, College knew it wasn’t to be their day.
UCD disposed of DCU in the other semi to set up a repeat of the previous day’s group clash. Rachel Burke deflected home Lisa Jacob’s cross for an early lead for the Dubliners, but a nifty corner routine had the Elks back on level pegging, and they repeated the trick in extra-time to secure a golden goal win.
The men’s final was a niggly affair – as evidenced by the three yellow cards shown to each side – but went true to form as the Elks won out 2-0 over UCD.
The latter made light weather of having to play their three group fixtures in one day, before going on to see off city rivals DCU 3-1 in the last four. The Elks gave UCC an exhibition of clinical finishing in the other semi-final, winning 7-0 despite College producing one of their best performances of the tournament.
In the final, Chris O’Flaherty scored a corner in each half to separate the teams 2-0, the first of the standard variety; the second past John McInroy in the role of kicking full-back after Stephen O’Keefe had been sent to the line for a rash tackle outside his circle.
From a Munster point of view, the UCC vs CIT derby in the men’s pool stages proved to be a highlight, as both sides went into the tie level on points and goal difference.
Each side was on the end of similarly heavy defeats to UCD before both defeating Queens by a goal; College were 3-0 up and cruising in their match before letting the Belfast side back into it and holding out for a 3-2 win.
CIT came from a goal down to win 2-1 in their clash, Roger Gray hitting one of the goals of the tournament with an unstoppable half-volley from the top of the circle before John Hobbs dragged in the winner.
The derby itself was a lively affair; Andy Gray’s bullet corner hit put UCC in front, only for Chris Scanlon to equalise for CIT late on, first-timing the ball into the bottom corner after Ronan Moran had brilliantly slid to keep the ball alive before squaring to his team-mate.
It proved enough to send UCC through on goals scored, with CIT left to contest the plate. A walkover from RCSI put them into a final date with Trinity, a match that proved to be a humdinger.
The latter deservedly led 2-0 at the break, but CIT upped the ante in the second half, John Hobbs’ drag putting them back in contention before a similar effort hit a Trinity player’s face on the line, via the keeper’s pad.
Hobbs dispatched the resultant stroke for 2-2, and although the Bishopstown outfit had the better of extra-time, penalty strokes loomed, with Trinity winning out 5-3.
Of the other Munster sides, UL fared best but will have been disappointed not to finish higher in a very weak pool; draws with NUIG and the Surgeons could both have been wins, but their tally of three points meant they avoided the wooden spoon, going on to lose to Queens in the plate semis.
CIT were hampered by the unavailability of their skipper, Irish international Cliodhna Sargent, for two of their games, plus being unfortunate enough to be drawn in a very tough pool containing four sides who all compete at senior club level.
Three heavy defeats – plus a 3-0 loss to Queens that flattered the Belfast side – left them in last place, though much like their men’s side, they blooded a couple of complete beginners who will come back stronger next year.
For some of Rowland White’s pictures from the CIT vs UU Elks women’s game, click here
Mauritius Cup
Final: UU Elks 2 UCD 0
Semi-finals: UCC 0 UU Elks 8; DCU 1 UCD 3
Pool A: UU Elks 18 RCSI 0; Trinity 2 DCU 2; Trinity 8 RCSI 0; DCU 13 RCSI 0; DCU 0 UU 6; Trinity 2 UU 5
Pool B: UCD 10 QUB 0; UCD 8 UCC 1; UCD 7 CIT 0; CIT 1 UCC 1; CIT 2 Queens 1; UCC 3 Queens 2.
Pool A: 1. UU Elks 9pts (+27) 2. DCU 5pts (+7) 3. Trinity 5pts (+5) 4. RCSI 0pts (-39)
Pool B: 1. UCD 9pts (+25) 2. UCC 5pts (-6) 3. CIT 5pts (-6) 4. Queens 0pts (-13)
Mauritius Plate final: Trinity 2 CIT 2 (aet, Trinity win 5-3 on strokes)
Chilean Cup
Final: UU Elks 2 UCD 1 (aet, gg)
Semi-finals: UU Elks 3 UCC 1; UCD 4 DCU 0
Pool A: UU Elks 1 Queens 0; UCD 2 Trinity 0; UU Elks 3 Trinity 3; UCD 10 CIT 0; Queens 3 CIT 0; UU Elks 1 UCD 1; Trinity 2 Queens 3; UCD 4 Queens 2; Trinty 8 CIT 0; UU Elks 13 CIT 1.
Pool B: UCC 3 UL 0; DCU 5 RCSI 2; UCC 5 NUI Galway 1; UL 0 DCU 1; UL 0 RCSI 0; UCC 6 RCSI 0; UCC 7 DCU 0; DCU 1 NUI Galway 0; NUI Galway 3 RCSI 1; NUI Galway 1 UL 1.
Pool A: 1. UCD 11pts (+14) 2. UU Elks 10pts (+13) 3. Queens 6pts (+1) 4. Trinity 4pts (+5) 5. CIT 0pts (-33)
Pool B: 1. UCC 12pts (+20) 2. DCU 9pts (-2) 3. NUI Galway 5pts (-3) 4. UL 3pts (-4) 5. RCSI 1pt (-11)
Chilean Plate final: Queens 1 Trinity 1 (aet, Queens win on strokes)
