College draw first blood

UCC exposed a chink in Catholic Institute’s armour in the showpiece tie of the women’s Division One programme, claiming a 2-1 win to ruin the Limerick outfit’s 100% record for the season so far. Ger O’Carroll’s side had won six from six, conceding just three times in the process, but had yet to face any of the sides who finished above them last term, and was College who just about edged a tense encounter. The first half finished scoreless, but Vicky O’Sullivan – returning after breaking her hand in November – neatly deflected home on her reverse from Julia O’Halloran’s cross to put the hosts ahead.

But Institute were level ten minutes later, taking advantage of some disorganised corner defence from College, Naomi Carroll eventually deflecting in at the back post. However, Ali O’Connor’s straight hit from a set-piece at the other end, 15 minutes from time, settled it and cut Institute’s lead at the summit to a single point, with a game in hand for College. Elsewhere, Sinead Connery’s double helped C of I to a 2-0 win over Bandon, and with UL’s tie with Quins postponed as the former’s problems with fielding a team continued, Phil Oakley’s side have now moved up to third. The final game of the day saw Ashton consolidate their mid-table status, picking up their second win of the campaign with a notable 2-0 success at Waterford. Newtown School hasn’t proved the happiest hunting ground for any side this term, but the Cork outfit took their chances better in a fast-paced encounter, Emma Harrington scoring from play and Ciara O’Herlihy from a well-worked corner, both in the second-half. Nationally, the Irish Senior Cup final will be an all-Leinster affair for the first time in four years, as Railway Union and Loreto advanced to the decider. Railway’s magnificent season continued with a remarkable 3-1 defeat of Pegasus in Belfast, while Loreto claimed a modicum of revenge over UCD – who dumped them out in round two last term – with a nervy 1-0 win. For detailed reports of these games, please click here. The delayed round three tie of the Irish Hockey Trophy were also completed, and although no Munster sides were involved, Ashton and Institute’s quarter-final opponents are now known. The former will have the advantage of home comforts against Wexford, while competition favourites Institute must hit the road to face Knock. To view Ondine Roche’s photos from the UCC vs Catholic Institute game, click here.