C of I get no change out of ‘Money

Ballymoney ended a Munster team’s Irish Senior Cup dreams for the second time in succession earlier today, outclassing Cork Church of Ireland 4-0 at the Joey Dunlop Centre. ‘Money had already seen off Cork Harlequins 6-3 in round one, and goals from Julie Allison, Bridget Cleland, Nikki Park and veteran Lynsey McVicker ensured C of I left the Antrim venue with little to cheer about. Elsewhere, UCD proved they are becoming quite the penalty stroke experts as they saw off high-profile Leinster opposition yet again. Loreto followed Hermes into the students’ graveyard following a scoreless draw at Beaufort. Jean McDonnell took her tally to five goals in three days as Railway Union, conquerors of UCC in round one, weathered an Old Alex comeback to win 4-3, with Ireland’s hottest forward getting two of those. Teenager Noelle Farrell scored a peach for Pembroke Wanderers, but Judy Getty’s hat-trick secured a famous win at Serpentine Avenue for Belfast Harlequins on 3-2 scoreline, while Lurgan caused something of an upset by defeating Armagh 2-1 with goals from Jenny Harvey and Gill Edgar. The draw for the quarter-finals will be made on Monday. Domestically, Cork Harlequins and UCC both took full advantage of C of I’s absence from league action by recording wins over Belvedere and UL respectively. Quins hardly broke sweat in their 6-0 win over the Ballincollig girls, with Cliodhna Sargent claiming a hat-trick while Hilary Chapple, Emily O’Leary and schoolgirl Jennifer Murphy were also on target. UCC made life difficult for themselves as they laboured to a 2-1 win over UL in the all-student clash at the Mardyke. Jen O’Loughlin gave the Limerick girls a half-time lead, finishing smartly past Karen Olden with a first-time shot after the ball was delivered from the left.

However, Aine Connery – who along with Miriam Crowley, played this game within an hour of losing an Ashbourne Cup camogie semi-final to Waterford IT – was causing UL endless problems with her dribbling ability, and one such surge led to College’s equaliser on 45 minutes. Connery found space through the middle and fed Julia O’Halloran on the end-line, and her crash ball found its way to Ali O’Regan who slotted home from close range. But the day was to belong to Orla Crowley, who gave a composed performance in defence following her return from a month-long injury layoff.She hit College’s winner on 55 minutes, albeit with a slice of good fortune as her short corner strike careered off the UL runner’s stick and looped high into the net. Elsewhere, Catholic Institute reclaimed fourth place at Bandon’s expense, with goals from Kym Daly, Rosie Pratt and Naomi Carroll helping them to a 3-0 win over the west Cork outfit. Meanwhile, a hugely successful underage blitz took place this morning in Garryduff, with more than 650 kids taking to the pitch at the Rochestown venue in the U10 and U12 age-groups.