Bandon’s hoodoo over UCC continued after David Smith’s golden goal saw them qualify for the Munster Senior Cup final at the expense of the students on a 4-3 score-line. C of I B won the battle of the second strings in the league 2-1, and also qualified for the Munster Junior Cup final, where they will again face Quins B.
UCC overturned a two-goal deficit to stun Rathgar Chiefs 4-3 and earn a home semi-final in the men’s Irish Trophy, while C of I exited the Irish Senior Cup after blowing a similar advantage of their own and going down by the odd goal in seven to Cookstown.
Bandon and Ashton both made resounding progress in the women’s Irish Hockey Trophy, while Catholic Institute raided the Mardyke to strengthen their grip on the Division 1 title race. UCC recovered to beat Quins 24 hours later, while UL gave C of I a thorough workout on their new sand pitch (above) before going down 2-0. Meanwhile, three Munster teams – Limerick, Clonmel and Dungarvan – will be present in the Irish Challenge semi-finals
Irish Senior Cup holders Loreto (above) blasted four late goals past UCC to all but extinguish the students’ IHL hopes, but Catholic Institute’s are still alive after they disposed of Belfast Harlequins, while Cork Harlequins picked up their first points in this season’s competition.
Cork C of I and Cork Harlequins all but kissed goodbye to any lingering hopes they might mount a challenge for a men’s Irish Hockey League semi-final spot, after suffering heavy defeats at home to Dublin opposition today.
Annadale’s stunning elimination of Glenanne in Tallaght on Saturday has resulted in one of the most open men’s Irish Senior Cups in recent years, as the competition heads for the quarter-final stage. C of I progressed to round two as John Jermyn hit five in their 8-1 defeat of Kilkeel, but Bandon came a cropper away to NICS.