Fermoy set to reach promised land

Fermoy were last night all but promoted to the women’s Division 1, but must play off against Catholic Institute to determine the destination of the Division 2 title following a dramatic night at Rosbrien. Nine of the north Cork side’s players were on the sidelines as Catholic Institute’s Moloney sisters struck all of their side’s goals in a 3-2 win over local rivals Limerick in a tense tie.

Those three points mean that Institute and Fermoy finish level on 38 points. With goal difference not coming into the equation under Munster hockey rules, this necessitates a playoff – as it did in Division One between UCC and Cork Harlequins in 2009 and 2010. The game is down for decision next Tuesday May 1st at 8pm in Ursulines Thurles but with Institute unable to be promoted, Fermoy are almost certain to go up irrespective of the result next week. Belvedere’s decision to demote themselves last September left odd numbers in the top two tiers this season, meaning Fermoy are likely to be invited to Division One by the powers that be as the best-placed side in Division Two. Drag-flicker Trish Fitzpatrick and goalkeeper Ondine Roche of Irish Hockey Photographers fame have both shone for Fermoy at a time when the side is light on experience with a number of senior players missing due to pregnancy. The likes of  Stacey Hegarty and Niamh Sexton have stepped into the breach however, and the club say they would gladly grasp the nettle should the opportunity of promotion to the top tier come their way. “We would definitely be happy to be promoted, it would be the first time in the club’s history that we would be in the top division and would be a great boost for the girls who have been in the club for many years, working towards this accolade,” said Fermoy PRO Marie Arnold. “It would also help to raise the profile of hockey in Fermoy; it’s competing with a lot of different sports from GAA, rugby and soccer to swimming and athletics.  The (potential Division One) status of the club may encourage some players to come and play hockey, especially in the camogie off-season.” For Limerick, this was a tough way to end an excellent campaign. There was little between them and the top two, as evidenced by John Meyler’s side beating both, including a superb 2-1 success away to Fermoy 11 days ago when victory would have sealed the title there and then for the north Cork girls. Following a scoreless first half, Limerick took the lead against the run of play through Aoife Williams, but Institute hit back with two short corner bullets from Ciara Moloney.

And sister Clodagh stretched them out to 3-1 from the penalty spot before Jenni Lyttle bagged a last-gasp consolation for the Villiers-based side from a corner. After a number of successive promotions in recent years, they are unlikely to be ruffled by this setback and with no side due to be relegated from Division 1, will fancy their chances of getting to the promised land next term. Women’s Div 2 Catholic Institute 3 (Ciara Moloney 2, Clodagh Moloney) Limerick 2 (Aoife Williams, Jenni Lyttle). Final standings: 1 Catholic Institute 38pts; =1 Fermoy 38pts; 3 Limerick 35pts; 4 Cork C of I 31pts. Div 2 title playoff: Catholic Institute v Fermoy, Tuesday May 1, 8pm @ Ursulines Thurles.