College and Institute resume rivalry

What has become an enduring rivalry between UCC and Catholic Institute will take another twist tomorrow when the sides meet at Rosbrien (12.30pm). Both have improved this term to help increase competitiveness in the Munster men’s league, and have scalped each other once each thus far. A Stephen Sweetnam hat-trick helped College take the spoils 5-2 in the reverse league encounter, but a stunning first-half salvo helped Institute win a Munster Senior Cup clash 3-1.

Bandon remain in the driving seat for Irish Hockey League wildcard qualification however, an advantage they’ll be keen augment away to Quins B on Sunday. Cork C of I’s second string head to Newry in the second round of the men’s Irish Junior Cup. The holders have a much-changed side from last season, but will be hoping for a repeat of their excellent 2-1 win over Banbridge in round one. They should have first-team regulars such as Stephen Parker and Nick Burns available. Bandon entertain Bangor in the same competition, where the likes of Darren and Aaron Beamish will be keen to cause problems for their Ulster visitors. Cork C of I’s visit to Bandon is the highlight of the women’s programme. The hosts have shaken off a torrid torried start to the season to win three games on the bounce, including a stunning victory over Quins. Third-placed C of I know they can’t afford to drop any more points if they are to remain in the title race, but come into the game with confidence after their 8-0 rout of Waterford. Quins should have little difficulty dispatching bottom feeders UL on home turf, but Ashton’s clash with Waterford is a tougher one to call, with the Cork side narrowly prevailing last time out. UCC fly the flag for Munster in the quarter-finals of the women’s ESB Irish Junior Cup, but having dispatched Cork Harlequins and Armagh en route to the last eight, face their toughest test so far with a long haul to lock horns with Lurgan. Nonetheless, the lack of a clashing first-team game means Pat Healy should be able to call upon the likes of Kate Murphy, Rosie Shanahan, Vicky O’Sullivan, Fiona O’Connell and Nicky Kingston. Meanwhile, five Munster teams make up the last eight of the women’s Irish Challenge, with Fermoy fancied to progress against Tipperary, while Mallow, Clonmel and Limerick also feature. Men Irish Senior Cup Rd 2: Three Rock Rovers vs Cookstown (Grange Road, 1pm); Raphoe vs Cookstown (Royal & Prior, 2.30pm). Irish Junior Cup Rd 2: Railway Union vs Mossley (Park Avenue, 1pm); Bandon vs Bangor (Bandon GS, 3.30pm); YMCA vs Pembroke Wanderers (Milltown, 3.30pm); Belfast Harlequins vs Lisnagarvey (Deramore Park, 1pm); Insontians vs Fingal (Sha’s Bridge, 4pm); Newry vs Cork C of I (Newry Olympic, 2.30pm). Munster Div 1: Catholic Institute vs UCC (Rosbrien, 12.30pm); Cork Harlequins B vs Bandon (Harlequin Park, Sunday, 11.30am). Women ESB Irish Junior Cup quarter-finals: Railway Union vs Galway (Park Avenue, 4pm); Greenisland vs Old Alex (Carrickfergus, 12.30pm); Loreto vs Randalstown (Beaufort, 1.30pm); Lurgan vs UCC (Lurgan, 1pm); ESB Irish Hockey Challenge quarter-finals: YMCA vs Mallow (Claremont Road, 1.30pm); Limerick vs Raphoe (Villiers, 1.30pm); Tipperary vs Fermoy (Canon Hayes, 2.15pm); Clonmel vs Monkstown (Rockwell, Sunday, 2.30pm). Munster Div 1: Cork Harlequins vs UL (Harlequin Park, 12.30pm); Bandon vs Cork C of I (Bandon, 12pm); Ashton vs Waterford (Ashton School, 3pm)