Cork sides fall at first hurdle

Jason Lynch chose the perfect occasion to make a point to Irish coach Paul Revington, as he inspired Lisnagarvey to a 3-1 IHL success over Cork C of I at Garryduff. Back on his old stomping ground, Lynch outmaneuvered more experienced Irish colleagues in David Hobbs and John Jermyn to help last year’s finalists take a valuable three points from their latest visit to Cork.

While C of I carved out the first real chance of the game – Stephen Sweetnam was just off target with an upright reverse – it was ‘Garvey who hit the front after a surprisingly subdued first 20 minutes. C of I keeper Billy Lynch got a strong stick to Timmy Cockram’s drag-flick, coming from ‘Garvey’s only corner, but the ball’s momentum saw it creep over the line for 1-0. Lynch twice saved well from Daniel Buser early in the second half, but the forward was not to be denied and he doubled ‘Garvey’s advantage on 46 minutes, as Lynch brilliantly picked him out on the far post with a long-range reverse-stick cross. ‘Garvey sat back thereafter, content to counter-attack while C of I dominated possession but rarely worked clear openings in the circle. Jermyn gave them a lifeline from their first corner with 15 minutes to go after Greg Thompson had been yellow carded, an absolute sizzler of a drag-flick which almost shattered the crossbar en route to the net. Thompson returned to earn ‘Garvey a penalty stroke, but his effort came back off the post, and when another chance presented itself after a goal-bound shot struck Stuart O’Grady on the body, this time stepped up and made no mistake from the flick spot. Jermyn had a last second corner effort to salvage a losing bonus point, but it was turned around the post by Alex McRoberts. Elsewhere in Pool A, Glenanne’s penchant for stunning comebacks was in evidence once more as they rallied from 4-1 down with six minutes to go steal a share of the spoils at Corinthian. The Glens have previous in this regard – only last May coming from 4-0 behind against Pembroke to force extra-time – but their favourites tag was severely put to the test.

Shane O’Donoghue found the bottom right corner for 1-0 only to see Chris Pelow cancel that out from the penalty spot, before Davy Carson clattered in an unstoppable reverse to put Corinthian on the front foot. Glenn Holmes tapped in before an own goal seemed to signal the death knell for Glens. But Joe Brennan dispatched a corner to to start the Glens goal-rush, before Eddie O’Malley and Jonathan Kane put the finishing touches to a memorable comeback. With seven yellow and two red cards, the battle of Coolnafranky ended with honours even with Cookstown and Annadale drew 1-1. Chris Campbell opened the scoring in the second period from a corner but ’Dale were permanently reduced in numbers when Peter Caruth received his second yellow card for breaking down play. Cookstown drew three strong saves from Jonny Moore; Greg Allen, Stuart Smyth and Keith Black going close but they too were down to ten when Irwin was shown his second yellow. Timmy Smyth’s screamer drew the sides level to earn a share of the spoils. In Pool B, Pembroke began the defence of their IHL crown with a bizarre 5-2 win over Cork Harlequins, the only bonus point win of the men’s first series of games. Pembroke’s Jethro Eustice re-adjusted well with a mis-trapped corner – having earlier hit the bar – to whip home the only goal of the first half. But it was another of their new South African contingent, the exquisitely named Brandon Panther, who triggered an avalanche of three goals in two minutes in the second period. Colin Kelly slapped a great ball from the left on halfway to Alan Giles to deflect from the top of the circle to Panther on the left post and his full-length stretch was rewarded with a reverse touch which flipped over the sliding Chris Daunt. Less than 25 seconds later, Panther did brilliantly down the right wing, pulling the ball back from the baseline to crack a reverse and Mick O’Connor was on hand to add the extra touch to ensure its passage into the net.

A winning bonus point looked a certainty by the 52nd minute when a slick team move down the left found Patrick Good on the baseline and his square ball found the sliding Karl Lynch to guide home a goal to savour for the former Cork C of I man against his old rivals. Dave Eakins pulled one back in with nine to go from a corner but Mick O’Connor’s cracking forehand pump was touched in by Maurice Elliott for 5-1. Phil McLaughlin added a brilliant consolation goal after Eakins moved a long corner five metres unopposed and wellied into the circle. It was behind McLaughlin’s body, but he redirected with a upright stick off the inside of the post. Elsewhere, Jonny Bruton fired home a 60th minute winner to give YMCA a dream start to their life as an IHL side, getting up and running with a 2-1 win over Monkstown at Alexandra College. Monkstown took a second-quarter lead when Andy Ewington dragged home a corner past Iain Walker. The leveller finally came when Phil Marshall converted a well-worked switch before Bruton fired home another set-piece, the ex-C of I man finally getting his goal after being repeatedly frustrated by David Fitzgerald in the ‘Town goal. Chris Kirk’s close range finish to James Corry’s ball meant honours even at Shawsbridge, where Instonians drew 2-2 with Banbridge. Inst’s Matthew Martin worked his way into the circle found Corry who hammered home past Gareth Lennox for the go-ahead goal. But Bann mounted a period of sustained pressure in the second half and Ross McCandless got the equaliser from a penalty corner. A minute later, Alistair Thom, the Inst keeper, made a brilliant save from Josh Moffett to keep it at 1-1 but the Co Down visitors did get in front for the first time in the 58th minute when a long ball out of defence found Moffett who passed to Steven Dowds who gave Bann the lead. But Inst got their leveller at the death to salvage a draw. Domestically, Bandon will be the happier of the two IHL-chasing sides, as a last-gasp goal from Ali Smith gave them a 1-1 draw with UCC at the Mardyke. College knew a positive result on home turf was vital to their ambitions of usurping the west Cork side in the battle for third place. They had the ball in the net early on via Fionn O’Leary, but the goal was chalked off as it struck the former Bandon man’s foot in the build-up. UCC skipper Andy Gray saw a drag-flick taken off the line by Chris Wood, and then Gray did likewise at the other end to Andrew Scannell in a tense opening half. The Munster senior representative had a superb game for College, particularly in his defence and distribution, and gave them what looked to be a decisive lead on 55 minutes. College’s third corner was switched right for Gray, who swept low and hard into the far corner past Ian Hosford. Brother Roger nearly put the result beyond doubt when striking the far post from a tight angle, but in the final 10 minutes, Bandon began to turn the screw. Ali Smith and David Smith caused the majority of the bother, the former drawing a reckless tackle which won a disputed corner 30 seconds from time. Scannell switched right from the top of the circle to Scott Sullivan, but Graham Catchpole read the Ireland U16’s intention and the chance looked to be gone. However, Sullivan somehow stabbed the ball goalwards and College failed to clear from the ensuing melée, allowing Bandon skipper Ali Smith to force the ball home from close range. Irish Hockey League Rd 1 Pool A Corinthian 4 (G Holmes, C Pelow, D Carson, own goal) Glenanne 4 (S O’Donoghue, E O’Malley, J Brennan, J Kane) Cork C of I 1 (J Jermyn) Lisnagarvey 3 (T Cockram 2, D Buser) Cookstown 1 (T Smyth) Annadale 1 (C Campbell) Pool B YMCA 2 (P Marshall, Jonny Bruton) Monkstown 1 (A Ewington) Pembroke Wanderers 5 (J Eustice, B Panther, M O’Connor, K Lynch, M Elliott) Cork Harlequins 2 (D Eakins, P McLaughlin) Instonians 2 (J Corry, C Kirk) Banbridge 2 (R McCandless, S Dowds) Men’s Div 1 UCC 1 (A Gray) Bandon 1 (A Smith); Pool A Standings (points/goal difference): 1. Pembroke 4pts (+3) 2. YMCA 3pts (+1) 3. Instonians 2pts (0) 4. Banbridge 2pts (0) 5. Monkstown 1pt (-1) 6. Cork Harlequins 0pts (-3) Pool B standings: 1. Lisnagarvey 3pts (+2) 2. Glenanne 2pts (0) 3. Corinthian 2pts (0) 4. Cookstown 2pts (0) 5. Annadale 2pts (0) 6. Cork C of I 0pts (-2)