Nothing Clare in women’s title race

Bandon pulled off the shock of the season so far in the Munster women’s league, downing champions Cork Harlequins 1-0 on the latter’s home turf. Clare O’Higgins finished off a one-on-one after 15 minutes for the visitors, and that strike was followed by a backs-to-the-wall defensive effort, to hand Quins just their third league defeat in 15 seasons, and add further intrigue to what looks to be a four-horse title race. UCC are the new leaders, leapfrogging Catholic Institute – who had the weekend off – despite dropping a point against third-placed C of I for the second time this term. Ali O’Connor’s effort in the last 30 seconds – coming after a disputed short corner award – gave the students a 2-2 draw, a result they’ll view in positive terms given the absence of Irish internationals Audrey O’Flynn and Julia O’Halloran.

Eibhlín O’Donoghue’s corner rebound had put College ahead at the break, but C of I had looked on course to take all three points thanks to goals from Suzanne O’Connor and Julie O’Sullivan, before O’Connor salvaged a result for College for the second week running. Elsewhere, Waterford chalked up their second win of the season, with Shirley Moore, Paula Guiry and Stacey Browne on target in a 3-1 success at UL, who are now five points adrift at the foot of the table. Meanwhile, it was a weekend to remember for Munster sides in the women’s Irish Hockey Challenge, with Fermoy, Mallow, Limerick and Tipperary all advancing to round three.