IHL draw does C of I few favours

Being Munster champions has once again done Cork C of I few favours in the draw for next season’s men’s Irish Hockey League, made at Grange Road earlier today. Although they have avoided champions Pembroke, who swept the boards with IHL and ISC victories this season as well as claiming Leinster league and EuroHockey Club Trophy wins, C of I will have to do it the hard way if they are to progress from Pool B.

Stephen Jackson’s side are again paired with Three Rock Rovers, who spectacularly ended C of I’s hopes with a 5-2 win at Grange Road earlier this term, and this season’s IHL runners-up Glenanne. There are also three Ulster sides in the pool – champions Cookstown, Annadale and Lisnagarvey, who came through the wildcard unscathed. However, there was one bit of good news for C of I; with two provincial champions in the pool, a draw was made to determine which of them would be at home when they meet. C of I got the rub of the green here, meaning they will be at home to Cookstown and will only have to travel to Ulster once to face either ‘Garvey or ‘Dale. Cork Harlequins, meanwhile, have an easier draw on paper but nonetheless won’t be underestimating Monkstown and Corinthian even if they are Leinster’s weakest representatives in Pool A. The latter are the only new team to qualify for the competition after seeing off Bandon 5-0 in the final wildcard game this morning, with Ireland A international Brian Doherty rifling home a trio of drag-flicks. Pembroke will be red-hot favourites to advance from this pool, along with this year’s semi-finalists Banbridge. Instonians weren’t up to much in this season’s competition – and will be without talisman Mark Gleghorne if he decides to head to Holland – but finished second in Ulster and will be no pushovers. They have the added boon of being drawn at home to Quins in the game between the provincial runners-up. The draw for the women’s competition will be made later today, following the completion of the wildcard playoff. Men’s Irish Hockey League 2009/10 Pool A: Pembroke Wanderers (Leinster 1), Instonians (Ulster 2), Banbridge (Ulster 3), Monkstown (Leinster 4), Cork Harlequins (Munster 2), Corinthian (Wildcard 1) Pool B: Cookstown (Ulster 1), Glenanne (Leinster 2), Three Rock Rovers (Leinster 3), Annadale (Ulster 4), Cork C of I (Munster 1), Lisnagarvey (Wildcard 2)