Quins bid to reprise spirit of 2006

Cork Harlequins could be forgiven for wondering which Banbridge side will turn up for their Irish Senior Cup quarter-final clash at Farmer’s Cross tomorrow (2pm). Bann have had a turbulent couple of weeks in the Irish Hockey League,which ultimately ended in them missing out on semi-final qualification. They retrieved a 5-2, third-quarter deficit to  beat Instonians 6-5 but their dream died seven days later in Tallaght as they were humbled 4-0 by Glenanne, who eked out four crash ball goals despite enjoying minimal possession. Quins have demons of their own to deal with too; a 5-0 humbling at home to Cookstown was followed by a 4-1 reverse at Monkstown. Furthermore, the Bears have a significant psychological advantage by virtue of a a 4-0 win in the IHL earlier this season.

But given the age profile of the Quins side – many of whom are veterans of the 2006 Irish Senior Cup-winning team – their progression to the last eight this year could  signal one last gargantuan effort on the national stage from some of the side’s more experienced campaigners. Elsewhere, Railway Union will enjoy home advantage as they aim to reach a first Irish Senior Cup final in the open era after an impressive record in the competition in the pre-World War II period. They reached the final six times back then but have not done so since 1938. The nearest they have been since was an extra-time loss in 1997, falling to a Paudie Carley penalty to Pembroke at the final four stage, adding to three semi-final defeats between 1977 and 1979. But with many major contenders like 2011 finalist Cookstown and Monkstown out already and a genuinely even competition at hand, progression could open up the draw yet further. But opponents Glenanne are arguably the sharper outfit, with Jonathan Kane’s goals filling the void left by Shane O’Donoghue. They’ve had IHL action to keep them up to pace while Railway have had to content themselves with friendlies against the likes of NICS and YMCA in recent times with 28 days passing since their last competitive outing. For Pembroke, they became the first side to get a result from a trip to face Lisnagarvey on the Comber Road in the IHL this term last weekend and a repeat could keep alive their hopes of a third EHL journey. NICS – along with Railway – are the other non-IHL side seeking to cause an upset as they take on Instonians at Stormont. Service were beaten to the wildcard spot by Inst in the Ulster Premier though a win and a draw over the Shawsbridge club during the campaign lends a weight of confidence.   Trinity and Queen’s offer the university challenge as Griffeen Valley Park hosts a women’s Irish Senior Cup tie for the very first time as the Dubliners have been forced to give up home advantage. It comes in the wake of the LHA’s decision to bar the use of Santry Avenue for the senior league games until the hazardly moss growing through the turf is fully cleared. The students do welcome back Maebh Horan and Jessie Elliott for the biggest game in the club’s recent history, pursuing a first final appearance since 1933.

Queen’s are powered by the excellent Hannah McMillan while Joanne Orr’s eye for goal saw the Ulster side dismiss Portadown with minimum of fuss in the last round last November. Their last day in the ISC sun was way back in 1929, finishing off a run of three titles in four years. Otherwise, the rest of the draw has a more familiar hue with each of the winners from the last five years present and correct. Two of those meet at Belfield as Pegasus meet UCD in a repeat of the 2009 decider, one won in resounding fashion by the students. But their mojo, of late, has deserted them since completing the league and cup double at the end of March. A frustrating 0-0 draw with Old Alex and a loss in Limerick to Catholic Institute ended their IHL dreams when opportunity presented itself. Pegs have similarly run up two major trophies this season as well as also coming into the game off the back of a defeat, beaten 3-1 by Hermes. But the Dublin giants are the biggest name to be missing from the quarter-final line-up, falling to former player Emma Russell’s double in round two to Old Alex. Alex’s reward for that milestone win is a date with Loreto, hoping they can see home what they could not in the league. In round 17, the Milltown club built a 2-0 lead only for the Beaufort side’s corner routine to reduce the deficit before Jessica McGirr continued her excellent form since breaking into the team to level. Both sides have their internationals back from that date, making this an intriguing tussle. Reducing breakaway bursts from Emily Beatty, Russell and Hannah McDermott is key while Loreto exude similar pacey qualities to set this one up nicely. Mick McKinnon’s Railway travel north to his residential home of Armagh to play the side he coached through their meteoric rise through the divisions. Domestically, there’s one vital men’s tie at the Mardyke (3pm) as Cork Church of Ireland head across town knowing they must beat UCC to stand any chance of ousting Quins for the league title. It’s the last game of the regular season and the students will see this as a shot to nothing, although it is also a vital link game for them at a quiet time of the season ahead of the IHL wildcard playoffs in three weeks. They have an axe to grind after feeling they left opportunities behind them in a 3-1 reverse at Garryduff earlier this season, given they haven’t beaten C of I since returning to Division One four seasons ago. Although it’s win or bust for the visitors, they rediscovered theiir goalscoring mojo away to Annadale last weekend, and encouragingly for the blues, none of them came from John Jermyn’s short corner bullets, which could be a key factor this time around. Men’s Irish Senior Cup quarter-finals (Saturday): Railway Union v Glenanne, 2pm, Park Avenue; Lisnagarvey v Pembroke, 2.30pm, Comber Road; Cork Harlequins v Banbridge, 2pm, Farmer’s Cross; NICS v Instonians, 2.30pm, Stormont Electric Ireland Irish Senior Cup quarter-finals (Saturday): UCD v Pegasus, 1pm, Belfield; Old Alex v Loreto, 1pm, Milltown; Armagh v Railway Union, 1pm, Ardmore LC; Trinity v Queen’s University, 1pm, Griffeen Valley Park Munster Men’s Div 1: UCC v Cork C of I, 3pm, The Mardyke. ** Semi-final draw will take place in the Dropping Well, Milltown at approximately 3.30pm