Institute set for one Elk of a final

There were mixed fortunes for Catholic Institute in the semi-finals of the men’s and women’s Irish Hockey Trophy this weekend, but the Limerick club will at least have one big day out to look forward to. That came thanks to their women’s side, who disposed of Leinster’s Genesis 3-0 at Rosbrien on Saturday with goals from Kym Daly, Rosie Pratt and Aoife Roisín Burke. Institute will now take on the might of Ulster Elks, who disposed of Cookstown 2-0, in the final, though the Jordanstown outfit will be without the services of French international Philippine Berly, who dislocated her elbow and will miss the rest of the season.

Daly was also on target for them in today’s 3-2 Examiner Cup win over Ashton, for whom Orla O’Donovan’s brace wasn’t enough, and they are likely to renew a fractious rivalry against UCC in the final. There wasn’t as much luck for Institute’s men however, who fell 4-0 at North Down in their Irish Trophy semi-final. There was also plenty of cause to celebrate this weekend for Fermoy, who edged out Naas 4-3 after extra-time in a thrilling Irish Hockey Challenge semi-final at Midleton College. Hopes of an all-Munster final were however dashed by YMCA, who defeated Clonmel 4-1 to reach their first ever national final after just three years in existence. Meanwhile, UCC moved into Quins and C of I’s rearview mirror in the women’s Division One, with five different players on target in a 5-1 rout of Belvedere. Waterford’s promotion drive is still on course as goals from Eileen Guiry and South East U18 representative Faye Loughnane gave them a 2-1 win at Catholic Institute in the women’s Division Two. Bandon and UL will contest the women’s Division Four Cup final, following wins over Waterford and Fermoy, though Bandon required penalty strokes to see off a dogged Déise outfit. Elsewhere, Cork C of I B got a couple of serious wake-up calls from the west this weekend ahead of their men’s Irish Junior Cup showdown against Glenanne next weekend. Roger Gray got two for Dermot Judge’s side as they battled to a 3-3 league draw with Bandon on Saturday, with Edgar Rice back in action and back among the goals for the hosts. But they got a serious fright upon returning to west Cork 24 hours later to play Bandon B, who are in mid-table in Munster’s second tier in the Munster Junior Cup. Mark Holmes and Andrew Scannell’s strikes were cancelled out by an Ian Bryan double to send the tie to penalty strokes, with C of I B eventually prevailing 6-5. Galway grabbed a noteable 2-0 win at Belvedere to book themselves a Cork Cup final berth, where they will face either Quins C or C of I C. Catholic Institute brushed off UCC B 6-0 to reach the last four of the McLean Cup, while Quins D are already in the final after swatting aside Midleton 4-0, with Eoin Kennedy on target twice. Darren O’Sullivan’s goal proved the difference as Belvedere B edged out Quins E for a Barber Cup final place. They will meet UCC C, who had Malaysian goalkeeper Aiman Asyraf to thank for a dramatic win over C of I F on Saturday night. Having pulled off a string of stunning saves to keep the tie scoreless, Asyraf also repelled two penalty strokes, allowing South African Andrew Keys to send the students through on sudden death.