Cork Harlequins are facing a goalkeeper crisis as they open their season against Cork C of I B at Farmer’s Cross tomorrow (3.15pm).
Quins, who are hugely weakened having seen nine first-teamers depart over the summer, are short a netminder with Chris Daunt now living in Sweden while teenager Jack Ryan is pursuing rugby interests this year.
Who will fill the breach remains to be seen as they begin life without stalwarts such as Mark Black or Dave Eakins; C of I’s second string will attempt to take full advantage.
Meanwhile, UCC’s women continue to pick up momentum with news of another new signing, as Ailbhe Coyle looks set to make her debut in the students’ opening Munster league fixture away to Limerick tomorrow.
College have recruited well this summer but Coyle – a teak-tough defender with Leinster Division 1 experience with Old Alex, Trinity and Pembroke to call upon – could be the most important signing of them all as they begin their bid to unseat champions Harlequins.
Their clash with Limerick has the look of a mismatch about it, as do the other fixtures, with College unbackable favourites to pick up three points, even away from home.
C of I accounted for Fermoy on a 3-0 scoreline at Garryduff last night – see match report below – in the first of two games moved to accommodate players wishing to travel to Croke Park as supporters for tomorrow’s All-Ireland SHC final.
The second of those sees Harlequins and Ashton get their seasons underway at Farmer’s Cross tonight, while Catholic Institute should have too much for UL in Rosbrien tomorrow.
Cork C of I 3 (Amy Roberts, Ali O’Regan, Emma Rumley) Fermoy 0
Cork C of I are making the early running as they moved top of the table with another convincing victory at Garryduff last night, adding to the 4-0 win at Limerick last weekend.
Amy Roberts broke the deadlock early on when a corner was switched back to her in the injector spot, but Fermoy’s counter-attack game yielded some dividends for them with the best chance falling to skipper Aibhin O’Sullivan – her reverse was saved by Holly Moore and the follow-up went the wrong side of the post.
Another set-piece did further damage for the hosts, Ali O’Regan following up smartly after Munster U16 goalkeeper Kathryn Buckley – who had a fine game deputising for the injured Ondine Roche – had made a good reaction save off Jen Hales’ thunderbolt.
Fermoy continued to soak up most of the pressure as Ali O’Connor and Emma Barber turned the screw for Eddie Kirwan’s charges, but kept the margin to two while offering a flickering attacking threat themselves until C of I finished them off late on. A very tidy solo run by Emma Rumley along the baseline saw her cut inside and slip the ball under the advancing Buckley to seal it.
All fixtures Saturday unless stated
Men: Munster Div 1: Cork Harlequins v Cork C of I B, Farmer’s Cross, 3pm.
Women: Munster Div 1: Cork Harlequins v Ashton, Farmer’s Cross, tonight, 8.30pm; Catholic Institute v UL, Rosbrien, 12pm; Limerick v UCC, Villiers, 1.45pm.
College have recruited well this summer but Coyle – a teak-tough defender with Leinster Division 1 experience with Old Alex, Trinity and Pembroke to call upon – could be the most important signing of them all as they begin their bid to unseat champions Harlequins.
Their clash with Limerick has the look of a mismatch about it, as do the other fixtures, with College unbackable favourites to pick up three points, even away from home.
C of I accounted for Fermoy on a 3-0 scoreline at Garryduff last night – see match report below – in the first of two games moved to accommodate players wishing to travel to Croke Park as supporters for tomorrow’s All-Ireland SHC final.
The second of those sees Harlequins and Ashton get their seasons underway at Farmer’s Cross tonight, while Catholic Institute should have too much for UL in Rosbrien tomorrow.
Cork C of I 3 (Amy Roberts, Ali O’Regan, Emma Rumley) Fermoy 0
Cork C of I are making the early running as they moved top of the table with another convincing victory at Garryduff last night, adding to the 4-0 win at Limerick last weekend.
Amy Roberts broke the deadlock early on when a corner was switched back to her in the injector spot, but Fermoy’s counter-attack game yielded some dividends for them with the best chance falling to skipper Aibhin O’Sullivan – her reverse was saved by Holly Moore and the follow-up went the wrong side of the post.
Another set-piece did further damage for the hosts, Ali O’Regan following up smartly after Munster U16 goalkeeper Kathryn Buckley – who had a fine game deputising for the injured Ondine Roche – had made a good reaction save off Jen Hales’ thunderbolt.
Fermoy continued to soak up most of the pressure as Ali O’Connor and Emma Barber turned the screw for Eddie Kirwan’s charges, but kept the margin to two while offering a flickering attacking threat themselves until C of I finished them off late on. A very tidy solo run by Emma Rumley along the baseline saw her cut inside and slip the ball under the advancing Buckley to seal it.
All fixtures Saturday unless stated
Men: Munster Div 1: Cork Harlequins v Cork C of I B, Farmer’s Cross, 3pm.
Women: Munster Div 1: Cork Harlequins v Ashton, Farmer’s Cross, tonight, 8.30pm; Catholic Institute v UL, Rosbrien, 12pm; Limerick v UCC, Villiers, 1.45pm.