High drama at Coolnafranky as C of I progress to decider

Cork Church of Ireland’s Derek Hales and Richie Dorman will be hoping to reprise past glories after their side progressed to the final of the men’s Irish Junior Cup with a thrilling 4-3 win over Cookstown at Coolnafranky today. Hales and Dorman were part of the C of I side that claimed the 1993 title with a 1-0 win over Lisnagarvey, and it was the latter who helped C of I into the final 16 years later with the winner after the final whistle. Dermot Judge’s side continued what has been a hugely impressive cup run, adding Cookstown to a list of scalps that also includes  Glenanne, Annadale and Cork Harlequins, but they certainly did it the hard way.

Two early goals – one from Ian Sloan, currently in both the Irish U16 and U18 panels – had given the hosts a commadning early advantage, as they dominated the first half. But two strikes in as many minutes after the break hauled C of I back into contention. Roger Gray bagged the first on 50 minutes, before Nick Burns coolly finished low under the Cookstown keeper after being played in by Andrew Daunt. Gray then roofed a penalty stroke to put them 3-2 up after Mark Holmes’ shot was illegally blocked on the line, only for Cookstown to drag themselves level with four minutes to go. But C of I won a corner right at the death, pushing everyone up as the whistle went in the meantime, and Gray switched the ball to Dorman on the penalty spot to fire high and send the Rochestown lads into raptures. They will now attempt to down another famous name in Irish hockey, Pembroke Wanderers, in the decider, after a brace from IHA Young Player of the Year Stuart Loughrey gave them a 2-1 win over YMCA in the other semi-final. There was better news for Cookstown in the Irish Senior Cup, as they claimed a 3-1 win over Annadale to advance to the decider against Pembroke, who are now aiming for a men’s cup double. Elsewhere, Bandon scored a 5-2 win over UCC in the men’s Division One, moving them into third place on goal difference. But the result, combined with Catholic Institute’s 3-2 win over Quins B, has put more significance on next weekend’s meeting between College and Institute. The students won out 8-2 last time around but must travel to Limerick in the hope of getting a result to help them avoid finishing last. However, it remains to be seen whether relegation will be an issue this term. Galway, the likeliest of the contenders who might want to come up, are well off the pace in Division Two, while second-placed Belvedere are hardly likely to reverse their voluntary demotion anytime soon as they concentrate on building for the future.