There was plenty of Christmas cheer for Cork Harlequins today as their men’s and women’s sides both finished off 2013 with important league wins.
The women, minus taliswomen Cliodhna Sargent and Yvonne O’Byrne due to Ireland commitments, were made work hard by a doughty Ashton side for a 4-2 win on the Boreenmanna Road.
After play had been temporarily suspended due to a torrential downpour, Ashton took a shock lead when Quins allowed Emma Harrington too much time and space to find an onrushing Caroline McCarthy on the counter, and she first-timed the ball to the corner.
Stephen Dale’s charges dominated the remainder of the half though, drawing level from a signature short corner move when Abby Oakes (pictured) stole in to deflect home Rachel McSharry’s sweep in front of rookie netminder Hannah Humphreys.
Karen Bateman then put them in front from the penalty spot after a deliberate foul in the circle, and Kay Gaffney made it three when she reacted well to a blocked short corner and battered the ball into the bottom corner.
Ashton gave themselves a lifeline just before the break, Mary-Claire Cummins reacting first after Michelle Barry’s high drag-flick had been palmed down by Vanessa Sargent.
Their cause wasn’t helped when Cliodhna Murphy was yellow-carded 30 seconds into the second half before Amy Chambers departed with a facial injury, as Quins probed the Ashton circle.
They finally gave themselves some breathing room when Leanne Mullins reacted well to redirect home, although a slew of corners couldn’t see them add to that tally.
Quins men made amends for their Peard Cup semi-final loss to UCC by swatting aside the students 3-0 at Farmers Cross, thanks to the brothers Hobbs.
All their goals came from short corners – Dan Hobbs flicking home one, John Hobbs notching one either side of half time – as the return of Jason Black, David Lombard and Phil O’Driscoll strengthened them significantly.
College, without Adam O’Callaghan, struggled to create much despite Shrew Power’s industry, Gary Wilkinson’s return from injury and sharp passing from Andrew Scannell and Wesley Brownlow, and will need to step things up for next week’s Peard Cup final clash with Cork C of I.
Stephen Dale’s charges dominated the remainder of the half though, drawing level from a signature short corner move when Abby Oakes (pictured) stole in to deflect home Rachel McSharry’s sweep in front of rookie netminder Hannah Humphreys.
Karen Bateman then put them in front from the penalty spot after a deliberate foul in the circle, and Kay Gaffney made it three when she reacted well to a blocked short corner and battered the ball into the bottom corner.
Ashton gave themselves a lifeline just before the break, Mary-Claire Cummins reacting first after Michelle Barry’s high drag-flick had been palmed down by Vanessa Sargent.
Their cause wasn’t helped when Cliodhna Murphy was yellow-carded 30 seconds into the second half before Amy Chambers departed with a facial injury, as Quins probed the Ashton circle.
They finally gave themselves some breathing room when Leanne Mullins reacted well to redirect home, although a slew of corners couldn’t see them add to that tally.
Quins men made amends for their Peard Cup semi-final loss to UCC by swatting aside the students 3-0 at Farmers Cross, thanks to the brothers Hobbs.
All their goals came from short corners – Dan Hobbs flicking home one, John Hobbs notching one either side of half time – as the return of Jason Black, David Lombard and Phil O’Driscoll strengthened them significantly.
College, without Adam O’Callaghan, struggled to create much despite Shrew Power’s industry, Gary Wilkinson’s return from injury and sharp passing from Andrew Scannell and Wesley Brownlow, and will need to step things up for next week’s Peard Cup final clash with Cork C of I.