Inspirational Insta scratch 103-year itch

Men’s Irish Hockey Challenge final Catholic Institute 3 (Simon Brickenden 2, John Wallace) Cliftonville 2 (Julian Stevenson, David Hurley) Catholic Institute withstood a late Cliftonville onslaught to land the men’s Irish Hockey Challenge title – their first national senior gong in 103 years – in thrilling fashion at Belfield. Initially, it looked as if they might run away with things, building a three-goal lead courtesy of Simon Brickenden’s double and a sharp John Wallace finish. But player-coach Julian Stevenson – a former Irish international – inspired a superb comeback that almost forced the tie to extra-time, scoring one before David Hurley touched home with four minutes to go. Insta stood firm, though, to land the national title. Early on, the Limerick side shaded matters, winning a series of penalty corners with Stephen Boyd forced to take a drag-flick off the line. Brickenden was a powerful presence driving forward from midfield, playing in Brian Downes superbly but he snatched at the chance.

Eric Callender also drew a great stop from Mark Holmes as it looked like Cliftonville had weathered the onslaught. They were rocked, though, by two goals in the 30th minute with Brickenden getting a brilliant first. He skipped his way through two tackles to get into the D before flipping the ball past Holmes on his reverse from mid-circle. Instantly, Wallace was left free on the left of the circle and pulled hard and true for a scoreline that matched their greater control on the tie. Half-time saw something of a sea change with Cliftonville looking the more dangerous outfit but their corner routine was struggling to get the pull out and stop sorted. Stevenson’s steal on the 22 was only denied by Ivan Moore’s excellent recovery tackle before Insta extended their lead against the run of play. Callender’s powerful shot drew a top save but Brickenden was on hand to calmly slot home. It left the Ulster club a mountain to climb but they were handed a lifeline with 13 minutes left when Stevenson again stole possession, lured Tristan Murphy off his line before arrowing home from the tightest of angles. Five corners followed in the closing stages before Dale Curragh’s powerful slap into the circle got a touch from Hurley late on. But they ran out of time in their pursuit of an equaliser, meaning Ed Gleeson could lift the trophy aloft on behalf of his team for a memorable win. Electric Ireland Irish Hockey Challenge final Kilkenny 4 (Catriona Carey 2, Sue Shirley, Lynn Darling) Dungarvan 0 Inspired by former international Catriona Carey, Kilkenny claimed the Electric Ireland Irish Hockey Challenge title in style with a 4-0 win over Dungarvan at the National Hockey Stadium. She struck two beautifully crisp first half goals to help her side build a 3-0 lead that they never looked likely to relinquish. Dungarvan’s Sharon Duggan had her side’s best chance to pull one back when she raced onto a through-ball. Her first touch took her past goalkeeper Searlait Doyle but she ended up too wide, allowing the Kilkenny defence to get back and clear the danger. Skipper and defensive lynch-pin Lynn Darling duly hit home a penalty corner early in the second half. Dungarvan held out for the remainder of the tie in the face of waves of attacks and a series of penalty corners with Lucinda Shrubb heroic despite picking up a nasty injury that required lengthy treatment. But it was Kilkenny’s day as they bounced back from 2012 final defeat to claim the title for the first time. Irish Junior Cup finals Men: Monkstown 2 (Andy Ewington 2) Banbridge 1 (Ross McCandless);  Women: Pembroke 1 (Anna O’Neill) Lisnagarvey 0. Munster Women’s Div 1 Cork C of I 5 (Amy Roberts 2, Claire Hickey 2, Ali O’Regan) Fermoy 1 (Trish Fitzpatrick); UL 2 (Steph Peters, Rachelle Nyhan) Bandon 2; Limerick 0 Ashton 4 (Emma Harrington 3, Mary-Claire Cummins) Words: Stephen Findlater