UCC’s Munster Senior Cup defence is still on track, but it may have come at a cost as a number of players were left walking wounded after a nervy penalty-strokes victory over Cork C of I at Garryduff today.
College had needed strokes to see off Phil Oakley’s side at this juncture last season, and so it proved again after a thrilling 3-3 draw.
But the students will now hope for more good news on the injury front, after Julia O’Halloran (knee) and Orla Crowley (hand) both suffered, while Audrey O’Flynn and Fiona O’Connell also picked up knocks.
Two goals in as many minutes had College seemingly cruising after they had the better of the opening exchanges. O’Halloran was the driving force from midfield, setting up Miriam Crowley for the second on 18 minutes, after Olivia Roycroft’s cross had gone in off Sandra Hackett’s foot for the opener.
But the 43 times-capped Irish international had to depart soon after – until making a late return up front in the second half – and C of I made hay in her absence.
Amy Roberts’ tidy deflection halved the deficit on 29 minutes, before Suzanne O’Connor’s flicked rebound brought an end to a breathless half.
Sinéad Connery put C of I in front for the first time in the 49th minute, after she was allowed too much time to shoot following a neat exchange down the right.
College needed an Eibhlín O’Donoghue penalty stroke – coming after Hackett had inadvertently stopped a goal-bound effort during a scramble in the circle with her foot – two minutes from time to tie it up once more.
Neither side was able to add to their tally during extra time, allowing Karen Olden to step up to be the students’ hero come penalty stroke time. She made a wonderful stick save from Connery first up, and also stopped O’Connor’s effort, while College converted all four of theirs to secure a passage to the last four.
That win has set up an enticing tie with Cork Harlequins, who made the semi-finals without even togging out, as UL’s woes continued with the Limerick students unable to field a team.
Meanwhile, the other side of the draw has opened up nicely on paper for Catholic Institute, who saw off Bandon 2-0 at Rosbrien via goals from Ireland U18 duo Rebecca Barry and Naomi Carroll.
They will now visit Ashton in the semi-finals, after the light blues dominated their quarter-final clash with Waterford to continue their recent upward mobility. Cliodhna Murphy claimed two with Kate Harvey adding the other in a straightforward 3-0 win.
