UCC take a shot at history

It’s a potentially history-making weekend for UCC as they lock horns with Clontarf in the semi-final of the men’s Irish Trophy at the Mardyke (12.30pm). The last time College reached the last four of a national competition was an Irish Senior Cup semi-final in 1911 — apparently forfeited due to a clash with a medical exam — but they find themselves ready and willing 100 years later to bid for a first ever final berth as their home ground at the Mardyke also celebrates its centenary year. Clontarf have hit some ominous form in Leinster’s second division in recent weeks, hitting 16 goals in their last three games, but Neil Welch’s UCC have already shown their resolve in winning at Donegal’s Raphoe and coming from 3-1 down to see off Rathgar Chiefs 4-3. The side’s two sets of brothers — Andy and Roger Gray plus Graham, John and Peter Catchpole — will all have vital roles to play, while Clontarf’s dangermen are Tom Noonan, player-coach Gareth Borland and Andrew Poynter, who is a non-travelling reserve for the Irish cricket side currently competing at the World Cup.

Meanwhile, it’s advantage Leinster in the race for the men’s Irish Hockey League semi-final spots, with five of the remaining seven contenders hailing from Dublin. That’s in stark contrast to the Irish Senior Cup, where only Monkstown’s presence has prevented the semi-finals from being exclusively an all-Ulster affair. Both competitions offer routes into European competition for the winners, meaning the stakes and the tension will be high this afternoon. Just two points separate the top four in Pool B (all games 2.45pm), meaning a bonus point victory for any of the quartet will guarantee progress. Banbridge host YMCA with Monkstown making the short hope to play Pembroke Wanderers; Instonians’ trip to Cork Harlequins is a dead rubber. A win of any kind will do for Pembroke Wanderers, YM and Monkstown. But things are more complex for Banbridge, who propelled themselves back into contention via a shock 6-2 dismissal of Pembroke six days ago, and they are the likeliest to be relying on the other tie to go their way. In Pool A (all games 12.45pm), Lisnagarvey’s 3-1 win at Cookstown on Thursday night has eliminated the Tyrone side from the equation, while just a point separates the remaining three contenders. Glenanne’s task is the simplest; they can assure themselves of progress if they see off Cookstown at home, and they will be in bullish form after losing the Mills Cup final to Monkstown on a golden goal in midweek. Garvey host leaders Corinthian, a repeat of last year’s remarkable 11-goal semi-final thriller. A draw will do for the Dubliners, while a win for either ensures they’ll advance, with the losers’ fate then dependant on Glens’ result. Cork C of I host Annadale in the battle to avoid the wooden spoon. Things are more straightforward in the women’s competition, where Pegasus and UCD are already guaranteed to progress from their respective pools. Pegs are unbackable favourites top Pool A (all games 2.45pm), where they’ve won four from four thus far, as they are at home to basement side Belfast Harlequins, who are coming off a 7-1 humbling away to Hermes, whose tie with Loreto is likeliest to decide the pool’s second qualifier. Avoiding defeat will suffice to put Hermes though, while a bonus-point victory for Loreto would guarantee their passage instead. Any other result, combined with a bonus-point win for Institute at already-eliminated UCC, and the calculators will be coming out. In Pool B (all games 12.45pm), Railway Union’s vastly superior goal difference means that they can afford just to draw at home to Ards, with Armagh and Ballymoney both realistically requiring bonus-point wins from their games to displace them in the event of a loss. Armagh host a UCD side looking to secure top billing in the pool, while ‘Money head south already-eliminated to 2010 finalists Cork Harlequins, who will be determined not to sign off on the campaign without a victory to their name. Men’s Irish Hockey League Rd 5 Pool A (all games 12.45pm): Cork C of I v Annadale (Garryduff); Glenanne v Cookstown (St Mark’s); Lisnagarvey v Corinthian (Hillsborough); Pool B (all games 2.45pm): Cork Harlequins v Instonians (Harlequin Park); Banbridge v YMCA (Havelock Park); Pembroke Wanderers v Monkstown (Serpentine Avenue). Irish Trophy semi-finals: UCC v Clontarf (Mardyke, 12.30pm); South Antrim v Belfast Harlequins (Laurelhill Sportszone, 2.30pm). Irish Junior Cup semi-final: Lisnagarvey v Three Rock Rovers (Hillsborough, 3.15pm); Munster Div 1: Catholic Institute v Bandon (Rosbrien, 3pm); Women’s  Irish Hockey League Rd 5 Pool A (all games 2.45pm): UCC v Catholic Institute (Mardyke); Hermes v Loreto (Belfield); Pegasus v Belfast Harlequins (Queens); Pool B (all games 12.45pm): Armagh v UCD (Armagh HC); Cork Harlequins v Ballymoney (Harlequin Park); Railway Union v Ards (Park Avenue).