Four-star Connery sets up title showdown

Four goals from in-form forward Áine Connery helped UCC to a 6-1 win over Belvedere at the Mardyke tonight to setup a Munster title-defining clash between the students and Cork Harlequins next Tuesday. Connery, who was arguably the best forward on display at the Senior Interpros earlier this month, hit all of her goals from play while Ali O’Connor and Eibhlín O’Donoghue were also on target from short corners. Ruth McKenna got a consolation for Belvedere, who must defeat Catholic Institute in their final game to keep alive their hopes of staying up. College now go to Quins – many of whom were looking on at this evening’s game –  in six days’ time knowing a win will see both sides locked at the summit, forcing the title to be decided by a playoff. Anything less, and Quins will be crowned champions for the 14th consecutive year. They ruled C of I out of the running at the weekend with a 3-2 win at Garryduff. Meanwhile, Cookstown’s quadruple hopes lie in tatters after they crashed to a 4-0 home defeat by Annadale in a re-arranged Irish Hockey League fixture at Coolnfranky last night. The original tie was abandoned due to inclement weather in November with the ‘Dale 4-1 up. But Cookstown have since seen off their Belfast rivals to the Ulster title and Kirk Cup, and also dumped them out of the Irish Senior Cup at the semi-final stage at the weekend, reaching their first final since 1987. Nonetheless, the ‘Dale claimed revenge in some style by storming ‘Fortress Franky’ – where the Tyrone outfit hadn’t lost in 22 games – as a Paul Jackson double and strikes from  Gareth Kidd and Neil Hamilton, all coming in the third quarter, did the damage. Both defences and keepers’ were on top until Annadale converted all four of their third-quarter opportunities. Jackson flicked home past Ian Hughes before Hamilton deflected in a corner at the back post. Jackson produced a wonderful finish from Peter Caruth’s long ball to leave Cookstown punch drunk, before Gareth Kidd slammed in a reverse after the Cookstown defence had stopped, apparently expecting a free out. The result leaves the ‘Town without a win from their four IHL games and all but rules them out of the running to grab a last four spot from Pool A, as matters are now out of their hands. Annadale are now the only unbeaten side in the pool, and with 12 points accrued take over top spot from Glenanne by virtue of the bonus point picked up tonight. Those two remain in the driving seat to qualify, with Glens a point behind ahead of their home tie with Cookstown. The ‘Dale must go to Serpentine Avenue to play Pembroke Wanderers – who are back in third on nine points but are still in with a shout. More information on the IHL permutations will be provided later in the week – Southern Fried’s head is already, erm, fried from trying to figure them all out – but in the meantime you can glean what you like from the league tables, available here.