Cork Harlequins have avoided a potential player crisis ahead of tomorrow’s women’s Munster Senior League Division One title playoff against UCC at Garryduff (4.30pm).
The champions were facing the prospect of putting their title on the line without a number of key performers, following an unseemly midweek dispute between the clubs and the Munster branch regarding the fixture.
Quins' Yvonne O'Byrne and UCC's Ali O'Regan will be in opposition again tomorrow. Picture: Ondine Roche
As the clubs missed a Tuesday afternoon deadline to fix the game themselves, the branch set a Saturday date at Garryduff.
However, confusion reigned as UCC and Quins subsequently agreed to play on Wednesday night at the Mardyke, which was not approved by the branch fixtures committee. That never went ahead, so the Saturday fixture now stands.
Definitely missing for the fixture are the sides’ Irish internationals, Julia O’Halloran, Audrey O’Flynn (both UCC) and Cliodhna Sargent (Quins), who are involved in the World Cup qualification campaign in Chile.
Teen prodigy Acacia Taylor, scorer of both goals in the 2-2 draw against Catholic Institute last weekend, is out of the country, while others are seeking to re-arrange family holidays and prior commitments.
Nonetheless, key players Karen Bateman and Rachael Kohler were yesterday named in Eddie Gash’s squad, with the side set to be led by Rachel McSharry in captain Cliodhna Sargent’s absence.
Teen prodigy Acacia Taylor, scorer of both goals in the 2-2 draw against Catholic Institute last weekend, is out of the country, and is replaced in the squad by Leslie Ann Daunt, with Tracey Johnson also included.
UCC have problems of their own, with many of their players in the midst of exams, but are expected to have a full deck to play from with the exception of O’Flynn and O’Halloran.
The need for a playoff arose as the sides finished deadlocked on 36 points for the second year running. Golden goal extra time and penalty strokes will be utilised in the event of a stalemate. Quins won 3-2 on home turf last time out to claim their 14th straight title.
Meanwhile, the men’s Irish Hockey League pool stages reach a conclusion this weekend, with three semi-final spots up for grabs.
Pembroke have already qualified out of Pool A, with the winner of the Corinthian vs Instonians tie likely to join them, though they could be usurped by Banbridge if they pull off a bonus-point win at Cork Harlequins.
Glenanne and Lisnagarvey, tied on 11 points, are in pole position in Pool B. ‘Garvey host Cork C of I while Glens are at home to basement side Annadale. Cookstown could yet steal a last four berth if they win at home to Three Rock Rovers and other results go their way.
CORK HARLEQUINS (vs UCC): Amy O’Neill (GK); Yvonne O’Byrne, Jessie Morris, Hilary Chapple, Karen Bateman, Rachael Kohler, Rachel McSharry (capt), Claire Bergin, Jane Bourke, Tracey Johnson, Antonia McGrath, Leanne Mullins, Sinead McCarthy (vice-capt), Leslie-Ann Daunt, Jane Chapple, Cliona O’Connor.
UCC (vs Quins): TBC
Post Author:
alangood
8 Replies to “Quins avoid player chaos ahead of playoff”
Since when did this branch rule come into force about arranging the match before Tuesday night? It is an absolute joke.
Both clubs agreed to play on Wednesday night. The weekend fixture has caused financial cost to Quins players and extra study anxiety to college players. The branch were contacted by email and were asked to accomodate this decision and each team received a text saying,
“Match 4pm Saturday in Garryduff.
There was no reason behind their stubborness. They just decided to suit themselves to make minimal addmission fees tomorrow, and annoy 24 players with their careless, thoughtless, stupid and inconsiderate decision.
The fixtures sec’s from both clubs were not informed of this Tuesday deadline,the branch decided wrongly for everyone without even letting the teams/fixtures sec’s know that they were taking on the fixing of this match. Absolute disgrace the branch needs to change. Best of luck to both teams however!
I have never in my life heard of such a ridiculous situation. The branch should be ashamed to allow/make such an illogical and thoughtless decision on a bank holiday weekend. Talk about trying to turn young players off the sport. And their refusal to even communicate on the phone with coaches is an abcolute disgrace. I hope anyone who comes to watch the match tomorrow refuses to pay an entry fee to the match.
I personally am involved tomorrow and can say that no tuesday deadline was communicated to either club. After the Insitute match at 4.30pm on sat Quins players were asked to arrange with UCC when to play the match. Then on Tuesday the branch AMBUSHED both teams with a bank hol 4.30pm fixture. As one non hockey playing parent observed “These people obviously have no regard for family life, putting such an important match on a bank hol sat eve with 4 days notice and inconveniencing college students who are trying to fit on last minute study for such important exams”. Shameful
You all had your chance to voice your opinions at the Munster AGM last Thursday and to get involved to make this so called change you all seem to be crying out for and I bet not one of you turned up!!
Its time people put up or shut up, if your not gonna help making things better stop complaining and making it worse fr the people who actually volunteer their time to run the branch!
If you have ways and solutions email the branch, instead of ranting on the blog and making the people who do volunteer on the branch feel like crap!
If you feel so strongly about change get off your posterior and do something, otherwise stop complaining! Complaining is not going to change a god damn thing!
The branch NEEDS to change they are so out of touch with reality if it was not so bad it would be funny! look at the profile of those involved, elderly, female, with an orientation to school girls hockey. Competition where they can get away with dictating fixtures etc.
Mens league playoffs were always organised with minimal fuss, and agreeable to both sides.
Has joining the branches increased the problems?
Totally agree with Mr Excited. The branch is made up of a small number of highly committed individuals who do their best to get it right. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don’t but there wasn’t exactly a queue of people looking to sit on branch committees at the AGM the other night and until there is there’s little point in saying that the Branch “needs to change”, or worse, should somehow be “ashamed” of itself…
So you regard Sarah Gray who is Munster Junior vice president, Connor O’Kelly Munster vice president, Kay Gaffney Fixtures committee, Maria Twomey Fixtures Committee, David Egner Fixtures committee, Meave Murphy Fixtures committee, Ciara Harte Schools are all old are they? They are the young people who care about munster hockey enough that got involved this year? Where were you? All these people stepped up this in year in the absence of yourself, people seem to have plenty of opinions but don’t get involved in putting them into action……all these new people are under the age of 30 and want to get involved to create change whereby people hide behind a computer and complain left right and center, put up or shut up as mr excited states above….change doesn’t happen over night and certainly not when people don’t volunteer!
Disgruntled with hockey players?
Are you on the Branch? Are you hiding behind your computer too?
How many of those people you named will actually be at Branch Management meetings and can effect change? Its not a proactive branch, they just wimper into line behind the IHA.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
Since when did this branch rule come into force about arranging the match before Tuesday night? It is an absolute joke.
Both clubs agreed to play on Wednesday night. The weekend fixture has caused financial cost to Quins players and extra study anxiety to college players. The branch were contacted by email and were asked to accomodate this decision and each team received a text saying,
“Match 4pm Saturday in Garryduff.
There was no reason behind their stubborness. They just decided to suit themselves to make minimal addmission fees tomorrow, and annoy 24 players with their careless, thoughtless, stupid and inconsiderate decision.
The fixtures sec’s from both clubs were not informed of this Tuesday deadline,the branch decided wrongly for everyone without even letting the teams/fixtures sec’s know that they were taking on the fixing of this match. Absolute disgrace the branch needs to change. Best of luck to both teams however!
I have never in my life heard of such a ridiculous situation. The branch should be ashamed to allow/make such an illogical and thoughtless decision on a bank holiday weekend. Talk about trying to turn young players off the sport. And their refusal to even communicate on the phone with coaches is an abcolute disgrace. I hope anyone who comes to watch the match tomorrow refuses to pay an entry fee to the match.
I personally am involved tomorrow and can say that no tuesday deadline was communicated to either club. After the Insitute match at 4.30pm on sat Quins players were asked to arrange with UCC when to play the match. Then on Tuesday the branch AMBUSHED both teams with a bank hol 4.30pm fixture. As one non hockey playing parent observed “These people obviously have no regard for family life, putting such an important match on a bank hol sat eve with 4 days notice and inconveniencing college students who are trying to fit on last minute study for such important exams”. Shameful
You all had your chance to voice your opinions at the Munster AGM last Thursday and to get involved to make this so called change you all seem to be crying out for and I bet not one of you turned up!!
Its time people put up or shut up, if your not gonna help making things better stop complaining and making it worse fr the people who actually volunteer their time to run the branch!
If you have ways and solutions email the branch, instead of ranting on the blog and making the people who do volunteer on the branch feel like crap!
If you feel so strongly about change get off your posterior and do something, otherwise stop complaining! Complaining is not going to change a god damn thing!
The branch NEEDS to change they are so out of touch with reality if it was not so bad it would be funny! look at the profile of those involved, elderly, female, with an orientation to school girls hockey. Competition where they can get away with dictating fixtures etc.
Mens league playoffs were always organised with minimal fuss, and agreeable to both sides.
Has joining the branches increased the problems?
Totally agree with Mr Excited. The branch is made up of a small number of highly committed individuals who do their best to get it right. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don’t but there wasn’t exactly a queue of people looking to sit on branch committees at the AGM the other night and until there is there’s little point in saying that the Branch “needs to change”, or worse, should somehow be “ashamed” of itself…
So you regard Sarah Gray who is Munster Junior vice president, Connor O’Kelly Munster vice president, Kay Gaffney Fixtures committee, Maria Twomey Fixtures Committee, David Egner Fixtures committee, Meave Murphy Fixtures committee, Ciara Harte Schools are all old are they? They are the young people who care about munster hockey enough that got involved this year? Where were you? All these people stepped up this in year in the absence of yourself, people seem to have plenty of opinions but don’t get involved in putting them into action……all these new people are under the age of 30 and want to get involved to create change whereby people hide behind a computer and complain left right and center, put up or shut up as mr excited states above….change doesn’t happen over night and certainly not when people don’t volunteer!
Disgruntled with hockey players?
Are you on the Branch? Are you hiding behind your computer too?
How many of those people you named will actually be at Branch Management meetings and can effect change? Its not a proactive branch, they just wimper into line behind the IHA.