Parker puts boot into old friends

Stephen Parker came back to haunt his old club as YMCA’s cutting edge ended Cork C of I’s Irish Hockey League semi-final qualification chances with a 4-2 victory. Polish international Krystian Makowski got them off to a flyer at Serpentine Avenue before Parker got a touch to a cross from another former C of I man, Jonny Bruton, ten minutes before the break. Youth international Gary Wilkinson got C of I back in the mix at 2-1 down at the interval as David Hobbs brought his influence to bear on matters. But Makowski restored the two-goal wedge before Parker nutmegged Billy Lynch from the top of the circle. Philip Sweetnam gave C of I some hope but Stephen Sweetnam’s late penalty stroke was comfortably saved by Iain Walker to deny the Cork men a bonus point.

Banbridge are guaranteed a semi-final spot after making it four wins from four with a 2-0 success against Railway Union. Lisnagarvey are fancied to join them after beating Glenanne 3-1 but YM can overhaul them with a three-goal win then the two meet next week in a repeat of last year’s final. Monkstown are also guaranteed a berth in the last four after Lee Cole’s late winner helped them edge nearest rivals Cookstown 2-1 in Pool A. Annadale’s 3-1 win over Cork Harlequins keeps them in the mix, however. Mark Black cancelled out Chris Henry’s opener but classy finishes from Matthew Allister and William Edgar nudged the Belfast men over the line. Doubles from Alan Sothern and Cork man Karl Lynch garnered Pembroke a second win of the competition as they eliminated Instonians with a 4-0 win. No-one is yet guaranteed progression to the last four of the women’s competition as Loreto’s 100% record fell in a 3-3 draw at Pegasus. Those two sides plus Railway Union — 3-1 winners over Ulster Elks — are scrapping for the two qualification berths while Hermes aren’t out of contention either. They completed a miserable couple of weekends in Dublin for Catholic Institute, as Audrey O’Flynn’s pair of drag-flicks against her fellow Munster women sealed a 5-1 success. UCD lead the way in Pool B as they opened up on Lurgan, Anna O’Flanagan bagging a treble in a 7-2 win for the Belfielders. They have a one-point lead over Ballymoney, who they meet next week. The North Antrim girls had a field day against a wilting Cork Harlequins side, Jessica Lynch’s hat-trick backboning their 5-1 success. Old Alex dented Ards’ qualification hopes with a hard-earned 3-1 success meaning four points plus some favours elsewhere are the minimum requirement for both sides next weekend. Men’s Irish Hockey League Pool A: Cookstown 1 (A Smyth) Monkstown 2 (D Carson, L Cole); Annadale 3 (C Henry, M Allister, W Edgar) Cork Harlequins 1 (M Black); Pembroke 4 (K Lynch 2, A Sothern 2) Instonians 0 Standings: 1. Monkstown 16pts (+12) 2. Cookstown 13pts (+9) 3. Annadale 10pts (+1) 4. Pembroke 9pts (0) 5. Instonians 4pts (-10) 6. Cork Harlequins 0pts (-12) Pool B: Glenanne 1 (C Kennedy) Lisnagarvey 3 (D Buser, A Forrest, P Stirling); YMCA 4 (K Makowski 2, S Parker 2) Cork C of I 2 (G Wilkinson, P Sweetnam); Banbridge 2 (S Dowds, D Ward) Railway Union 0 Standings: 1. Banbridge 16pts (+12) 2. Lisnagarvey 13pts (+5) 3. YMCA 9pts (0) 4. Cork C of I 5pts (-6) 5. Railway Union 4pts (-4) 6. Glenanne 4pts (-7)