Mighty Quins bid to wrest back title

Cork Harlequins’ title destiny is in their own hands today as they host UCC in a vital Munster women’s Division 1 clash today (2pm). Victory for Stephen Dale’s side in their last game of the campaign will guarantee them the title, which they have been looking to win back since Catholic Institute ended their decade-long dominance in 2011. They are still buzzing after defeating Institute 2-1 in a somewhat shock victory two weeks ago, when the return of Cliodhna Sargent and the excellent form of Abby Oakes, Leanne Mullins and Orlagh Cotter proved a significant boon. By contrast, UCC suffered a setback in losing the Munster Senior Cup to Institute after failing to fire on the day, although they created enough first-half chances to know they can trouble Quins today as well. Any other result than a Quins victory will re-ignite both College and Institute’s title chances. College lie nine points behind Quins but have three games in hand, while Insta have a five-point gap to bridge but just a single game in hand – against College, although they should keep up the pressure with victory in Bandon today.

The title isn’t the only thing this trio are competing for; the top two qualify automatically for next year’s Irish Hockey League, with third place consigned to the wildcard play-offs. That latter competition has been revamped on the men’s side this year and gives UCC their best shot yet at a maiden IHL appearance as they face Corinthian at Garryduff today (4pm). Formerly a three-team competition, the men’s wildcard play-off is now a straight shoot-out between Munster’s third-placed team and either Leinster or Ulster’s fifth-placed side, on a rotational basis. This year it’s Leinster’s turn and the fact the tie is set for Cork and Garryduff further advances UCC’s hopes, with the majority of the squad former Cork C of I members who are familiar with the surface. Corinthian possess dangermen in South African stars Jethro Eustace and Jaco Fourie and start as favourites, but three more of their imports have returned home while their last game was a mammoth 8-1 reverse at the hands of Monkstown. Conversely, College hit some form at the tail end of their league season, feeling they should have got more in 1-0 losses to C of I and Quins while putting a combined 16 goals past the two two’s second teams. Also on the national stage, it’s a huge day in UL’s history as they contest the Irish Hockey Trophy semi-final, hosting Lisnagarvey in Limerick. George Blackwell’s side are all but certain to finish bottom of Division 1 after a campaign that has seen them go without picking u a point but cups have been their saviour. Last week they beat Ashton on stroke after a 3-3 draw to win the Munster Senior Plate, while Suttonians, Muckross and Cork C of I have all been vanquished en route to the last four of the IHT. Meanwhile, it’s Irish Senior Cup finals weekend at Belfield with Pembroke Wanderers and UCD the men’s and women’s favourites respectively. SATURDAY Irish Senior Cup semi-finals, Belfield Men: Monkstown v Three Rock Rovers, 10.30am; Banbridge v Pembroke Wanderers, 12.30pm; Women: Railway Union v Ards, 3pm; Ballymoney v UCD, 5pm. Women’s Irish Hockey Trophy semi-final: UL v Lisnagarvey, UL, 1pm. Men’s Irish Hockey League wildcard playoff, Garryduff: UCC v Corinthian, 4pm. Munster Women’s Div 1 (12.30pm unless stated): Bandon v Catholic Institute, Bandon Grammar; Fermoy v Limerick, Loreto Fermoy, Cork Harlequins v UCC, Farmer’s Cross, 2pm. SUNDAY Irish Senior Cup finals, Belfield: Men’s final, 1.15pm; Women’s final, 3.30pm. Munster Men’s Div 1: Bandon v Cork Harlequins B, Bandon Grammar, 5pm.