Chambers anniversary provides emotional backdrop for C of I

Cork Church of Ireland will seek to provide further proof of their reemergence as a contender on the national stage when they host Ulster powerhouses Lisnagarvey in an Irish Senior Cup second round clash at Garryduff tomorrow (1.30pm). Despite losing talisman John Jermyn to injury, sterling defensive work built on the triumvirate of goalkeeper and skipper Billy Lynch, Philip Smith and Clinton Sweetnam has helped C of I draw with Pembroke and upset YMCA in the Irish Hockey League. Having shipped a narrow IHL defeat to ‘Garvey a few weeks back – thanks to Greg Thompson’s late winner – C of I won’t be lacking in motivation, and there’s further impetus in that department for the Blues as the first anniversary of former player/coach Andrew Chambers’ tragic death has come around.

The Munster hockey community was left shocked and saddened, after the 31-year-old collapsed suddenly on the pitch at Garryduff in Rochestown, Cork immediately prior to the club’s Irish Senior Cup clash with Kilkeel on November 13 last year, and could not be revived. While Andrew’s anniversary occurs on Sunday, there will be a memorial match in his honours between C of I and Cork Harlequins, after the sides’ respective ISC ties, on Saturday. Prior to the match, at approximately 4.45pm, Bishop Paul Colton will conduct a dedication to Andrew, with the match taking place afterwards. Andrew’s family today sent the following acknowledgement to Southern Fried Hockey: “Andrew’s parents Tom and Gwen, partner Katrin, son Mattias, brother Phillip, sisters Susan, Mandy and Jennifer, brothers in law Ciaran, Colm and Dan, sister in law Eileen, nieces Rachel and Lucy, nephews Mark, Eoin, Cian, Jamie and Max, wish to express our sincere gratitude to all who sympathised with us on the very sad and sudden loss of Andrew. “Many thanks to all our relatives, family and friends, neighbours people who travelled long distances, called to the house, brought food, attended the removal, funeral, sent letters, cards, floral tributes and donations. “Many thanks to Bishop Paul Colton, Archdeacon Bantry White, Rev. Adrian Wilkinson, Rev. Patrick Burke, Rev. Hazel Minion and Rev. Eileen Cremin. “A special thanks to all of his teammates and club members at Garryduff for all their help and continued support. “Thanks to all the hockey clubs and sports clubs that offered their condolences and sent letters of sympathy, these were all very much appreciated and were a great source of comfort for Andrew’s family. “As it would be impossible to thank you all individually, please accept this acknowledgement as a token of our sincere appreciation and gratitude.” Elsewhere, Cork Harlequins are another side who will be hoping to prove they can be a lasting threat at national level again, having come from two down to take out Instonians 3-2 in an IHL thriller last weekend. With a fit Paul Lombard in menacing form, they’ll hope to do more damage to Ulster opposition as Annadale come calling to Harlequin Park (1.30pm).

The clash of the round elsewhere sees Ireland’s two EuroHockey League representatives — ISC holders Cookstown and IHL champions Banbridge — lock horns at Coolnafranky, though Pembroke’s tussle with Monkstown will naturally command the bulk of the attention in Leinster. The plum clashes in the women’s ISC also take place in Munster and Ulster; Catholic Institute, fresh from a crucial IHL win over Old Alex, take on high-flying UCD at Rosbrien (1pm), while holders Pegasus meet perennial northern rivals Ballymoney. UCD have just won 4-3 at Pegasus and are arguably the country’s in-form side; those who wondered if Johnny Harte and Richard Rellis could blend a huge influx of exceptional if youthful talent have been given a firm answer so far, with Chloe Watkins, Nicola Gray, Leah Ewart and Anna O’Flanagan just a few of those starring for the recent intervarsity champions. Insta are Munster’s last hope in this competition but have continually proved they can mix it with the country’s best, particularly on the Rosbrien sand, where there are plenty of quality options with Eimear Cregan backed up by the wily Naomi Carroll. Domestically, UCC are playing catch-up in the men’s and women’s leagues, so play home ties against Catholic Institute (men) and Ashton (women); the men will be unbackable favourites to repeat the heavy wins over Institute of last term, but George Treacy’s Ashton side will fancy their chances of a Mardyke upset. Irish Senior Cup Rd 2 Men: UCD v Glenanne (Belfield, 1pm); Cork C of I v Lisnagarvey (Garryduff, 1.30pm); Cookstown v Banbridge (Coolnafranky, 2.30pm); Cork Harlequins v Annadale (Harlequin Park, 1.30pm); Monkstown v Pembroke Wanderers (Rathdown, 2.30pm); Railway Union v Three Rock Rovers (Park Avenue, 1pm); Instonians v Mossley (Shaws Bridge, 1pm); Belfast Harlequins v NICS (Deramore Park, 1pm). Women: Corinthian v Trinity (Whitechurch, 2.15pm); Belfast Harlequins v Loreto (Deramore Park, 2.45pm); Railway Union v Lurgan (Park Avenue, 3pm); Old Alexandra v Hermes (Milltown, 3.15pm); Catholic Institute v UCD (Rosbrien, 1pm); Armagh v Glenanne (Ardmore LC, 2.45pm|); Quyeens University v Portadown (Queens, 1pm); Ballymoney v Pegasus (Joey Dunlop Centre. 2.30pm). *Draw for Round 3 will take place at Railway Union HC, Park Avenue at 5pm on Saturday. Munster: Men’s Div 1: UCC v Catholic Institute (Mardyke, 1pm); Women’s Div 1: UCC v Ashton (Mardyke, 2.30pm).