Pratt inspires Institute again

Catholic Institute’s quest to mark their centenary with for national glory remains on course, after a beautifully disguised bullet shot from Rosie Pratt gave them a 3-2, golden goal win at Knock in the last eight of the Irish Trophy. Rebecca Barry’s reverse-stick strike had Ger O’Carroll’s charges in front, only for Danni Hagan and Joanne Carlisle to put the Ulster side in control ten minutes into the second period. But Elaine Bromell tucked away a penalty stroke — after her shot was illegally stopped on the line — to send it to extra time, whereupon Pratt delivered the killer blow.

Prior to that strike, the Limerick side had survived three corners in quick succession, with netminder Ciara Ronan making a stunning low stick save to keep them in the game. Institute now head north again to face Portadown — 4-3 winners over Three Rock Ladies — in the last four. There was less good fortune for heartbroken Ashton, who saw Wexford steal a 2-1 victory with Miriam Lambert’s short corner strike after the final hooter had sounded. Jean Devoy had put the visitors ahead when converting a one-on-one with Vanessa Sargent, who subsequently kept Ashton in the game with some crucial saves in each half. But the hosts deservedly found an equaliser, when Ciara O’Herlihy’s cross-field pass was picked up by Marie-Claire Cummins, and she in turn played in Emma Harrington to rifle home. However, Lambert’s late, late show ruined George Treacy’s hopes of leading his charges into the last four. In Munster, Cork C of I blitzed Waterford 8-0 to get a previous defeat to Institute out of their system, with Cathy Kenefick and Mel Ryan both bagging braces, while a similar double from Lorna Dennehy gave Bandon a 2-0 win at struggling UL. Bandon kept their noses ahead of Cork Harlequins in the men’s league, staying in second place thanks to a 7-2 drubbing of C of I B, in-form Graham Kingston and David Smith both on target twice. Quins, for their part, looked shaky early on against UCC yesterday, as Stephen Sweetnam cancelled out a Dan Hobbs drag-flick to leave at tied at 1-1 for the first quarter.

But once Darren Farrell blasted a reverse into the top corner, before Dave Egner applied a fine finish to a slick passing movement, the points were always going to be staying at Harlequin Park. Andy Gray’s switch-flick added some respectability for College – who deserved a couple more goals – but Hobbs’ short corner prowess manifested itself with a hat-trick as Quins ran out 8-2 winner. College had enjoyed a better outing 24 hours beforehand, taking their chances superbly to win 5-0 against Quins B in a clash that was far tighter than the scoreline suggested. Champions C of I are still way out in front of the chasing pack however, following a 6-1 dismantling of Catholic Institute, in which veterans David Hobbs and Nigel Buttimer claimed a double apiece. Meanwhile, both Banbridge and Annadale needed golden goals to advance in the Irish Senior Cup, and will face each other next up.