UCC dent Quins’ title ambitions

Men’s Division 1 Cork Harlequins 3 (own goal, John Sweetnam, Phil McLaughlin) UCC 3 (Andy Gray, Andrew Scannell, Shrew Power) It’s only one game but UCC will be hoping the times are changing in Munster men’s hockey after claiming this surprise result. It was the first time one of the province’s ‘big two’ had dropped a point to any side except each other since 2004, when UCC came from two goals down to claimed a 2-2 draw against an under-strength Cork C of I side. Kieran Healy was between the sticks that day and he made two outstanding saves to keep Quins at bay.

Coming hot on the heels of last weekend’s 2-1 defeat to C of I, It means Quins will likely need to beat their greatest rivals twice and not drop any more points elsewhere to reclaim their title. College went in front early on as Andy Gray, in the unfamiliar role of short corner injector due to Stuart O’Grady’s absence, finished from a tight angle after some ping-pong in the Quins circle. Quins, missing defensive totem John Hobbs, were forcing corners at will but didn’t score until the sixth attempt, a move returned to the injector spot eventually going in off a UCC defender’s stick. And Phil Oakley’s men exploited a UCC failure to clear the lines just before the break, allowing John Sweetnam to tap in at the back post for his third goal against the students in four days. Andrew Scannell dragged UCC level with a peach of a flick high to Nigel Byran’s left but UCC’s marking went missing as they allowed Phil McLaughlin to respond for the hosts. But Shrew Power levelled it with ten to go, scrambling home after an effort from Greg Chambers – a late substitute along with O’Grady as both had an evening exam – had been saved. UCC also survive a green card for Adam O’Callaghan in the dying minutes to claim a share of the spoils. Women’s Division 1 Ashton 0 UCC 5 (Aine Curran, Antonia McGrath, Miriam Crowley, Olivia Roycroft 2) UCC took a while to warm up in their first post-Christmas outing but a second-half blitz did for a resilient Ashton and left the students feeling good ahead of an important Irish Senior Cup weekend for them. Aine Curran had them 1-0 to the good at the break after a scrappy first half but Paidi Hartnett’s side found another gear after the break, with Olivia Roycroft scoring twice while Miriam Crowley and Antonia McGrath also found the target.