Bandon face huge task against holders

Bandon’s giant-killing abilities will be put to the test tomorrow when they visit holders Lisnagarvey in round two of the men’s Irish Junior Cup. Mark Kingston’s men caused the shock of round one in ousting Cork Harlequins 3-2, and in Melvin Beamish, Colin Kingston and Glen Forde they have a tricky forward unit. But ’Garvey will represent a huge step up in class. Cork C of I go to Suttonians with high hopes of progressing, especially given the availability of Stephen Sweetnam, whose quick hands and drag-flicking ability make him a danger from play and corners. Round two of the women’s competition sees Cork Harlequins host Loreto, as they seek to inflict further pain on a Leinster outfit after winning brilliantly at Glenanne in round one.

Jane Chapple and Maria Collins will both be key to their chances against a side high on confidence after winning 8-1 against Portadown first time out. Ciara McCarthy is on fire for Bandon ladies — she hit four in the first team’s 5-1 win over YMCA last week, and the winner against Belfast Harlequins in round one — and they’ll need her in the groove again as they host Trinity. Cork C of I face Irish hockey’s longest trip, heading to Co Antrim outfit Ballymoney, hoping veteran Cathy Walsh and tyro Emma Dobson can combine to good effect as they did in the 2-1 win over Lurgan. Catholic Institute, current leaders in Munster’s Division 2, will hope the likes of Katie Campbell can bring some first-team experience to the table as they visit 2010 champions Randalstown. While it’s a blank weekend in the women’s league – sewn up by Institute last weekend – there’s one men’s tie as Catholic Institute host Cork Harlequins in a bottom-meets-top clash at Rosbrien. Quins won’t be expecting to see their 100% record to come under threat from a side without a win all term – and who they recently beat 8-1 on home turf. But they will have noted Institute’s excellent first-half performance against Bandon last week, where they led 2-1 at the break. For their part, Insta will be glad of more high quality opposition as they prepare for next weekend’s Irish Trophy quarter-final at home to Raphoe. UCC are also in the last eight shake-up, and played their final  league game before their trip to Bangor against Quins B at the Mardyke yesterday. On a freezing night, the side hit something of a hot streak as they cruised to a 5-0 win with the majority of the damage done in the opening stanza. Peter Catchpole’s backhand shot from the top of the D, coming after a goalmouth scramble was only half-cleared, started the rout before Roger Gray first-timed home following a sweet passing move involving Adam O’Callaghan, David Doherty and Fionn O’Leary. Andrew Gray then netted a drag-flick and tapped in Catchpole’s crash ball for a 4-0 half-time lead. A pair of yellow cards for Quins stunted any chance they had of building their own momentum, before Colin Manning’s behind-the-back deflection off Roger Gray’s cross finished the job. College will be hoping the result breeds confidence ahead of their Munster Senior Cup clash with Bandon in west Cork on Sunday (2pm). This is a vital encounter for both sides, and not just for the right to earn a semi-final berth away to Quins. UCC have always under-performed when they need to get a win to fuel their IHL wildcard ambitions in the past few seasons,and winning down west would be a huge psychological boost before the sides meet there in the league on the final day of the season. Bandon know the importance of these clashes too and have developed a habit of eking out crucial goals when it matters most; Ali Smith and Aaron Beamish have both earned unlikely draws at the Mardyke in the past 12 months. Men’s Div 1: UCC 5 (Andy Gray 2, Roger Gray, Peter Catchpole, Colin Manning) Quins B 0 Saturday: Catholic Institute v Cork Harlequins, 12.30pm, Rosbrien. Electric Ireland Irish Junior Cup, Rd 2 (all ties Saturday) Men: Lisnagarvey v Bandon, 1pm Comber Rd; Newry v Banbridge, 4pm, Newry Olympic; Three Rock Rovers v Bangor, 2.30pm, Grange Road; Pembroke W v Corinthian, 1.30pm Serpentine Ave; Raphoe v Cookstown, 1pm, Royal & Prior; Annadale v YMCA, 2.30pm, Lough Moss Suttonians v Cork C of I, 3pm, Santa Sabina; Kilkeel v Antrim, 2.30pm, Kilkeel High School; Women: Hermes v Railway Union, 1.30pm, St. Andrews; Cork Harlequins v Loreto, 1pm, Harlequin Park; Ballymoney v Cork C of I, 1pm, Joey Dunlop Galway v Corinthian, 1pm, Dangan; Pembroke Wanderers v UCD, 3.30pm, Serpentine Avenue; Dromore v Pegasus, 2.30pm, Ferris Park; Bandon v Dublin University, 1pm, Bandon Grammar; Randalstown v Catholic Institute, 1pm, Antrim Forum.