Cookstown cause first surprise

Cookstown pulled off the shock of the first round of the men’s Irish Senior Cup on Saturday, dumping 2009 champions Pembroke Wanderers out with a 2-0 win at Coolnafranky. While the day would eventually be overshadowed by the tragic death of Cork Church of Ireland player/coach Andy Chambers, goals from Mark Crooks and Stuart Smyth ensured the Tyrone side would make the headlines on the field. C of I’s clash with Kilkeel was postponed after the sudden death of Chambers on the pitch prior to the match.

The draw for the next round of the cup, due to take place at Garryduff, was also postponed, while the Munster Branch of the Irish Hockey Association (MBIHA) also called off the remainder of the weekend’s fixtures as a mark of respect. Elsewhere, two late penalty strokes helped Lisnagarvey — for whom Timmy Cockram hit a hat-trick — pull away from Corinthian 5-2 at Whitechurch, while Neil and Ian Hamilton struck once each to help Annadale ease past Railway Union 2-0. Cork Harlequins will be glad to see the back of Banbridge, after following their IHL loss at Havelock Park seven days previously with another 2-0 defeat in this competition. Bruce McCandless and Owen Magee — teenage brother of Irish international star forward Eugene — did the damage for Bann. New Zealander Andy Ewington’s double helped Monkstown see off Bangor 3-0, while Weston hammered Suttonians 7-3 and YMCA were fortunate to overcome North Down by the odd goal in seven. Pegasus claimed the biggest scalp of the women’s Irish Senior Cup first round, Suzanne Beaney netting the winner as they won 3-2 at Railway Union, the Belfast side successfully raiding Dublin for the second time in eight days after their IHL victory at Loreto. A sole Nikki Parke strike was enough to ensure Ballymoney elongated UCC’s miserable recent record in this competition at the Joey Dunlop Centre, while Kate Collins Smith made a goalscoring return from her studies in the USA as Old Alex saw off Randalstown 5-1. Suman Bala’s effort saw Ulster Elks claim varsity bragging rights over Queens, a feat repeated by UCD, who had Irish international superstar-in-waiting Chloe Watkins among the goals in their 3-0 win at Trinity. Ards defeated Bray 2-0 at home, while doubles from Niamh Small and Cathy McKean helped Loreto to the day’s biggest win, a 6-0 victory at Knock. In the sole top-level game that went ahead in Munster, teenage starlets Leanne Mullins and Acacia Taylor shared three goals between them while skipper Cliodhna Sargent added two more as Cork Harlequins recorded a workmanlike 5-0 win away to Ashton, a victory which moves them level in second place with UCC on 13 points, albeit with a game extra played.