Quintet chasing women’s Division 2 honours

Catholic Institute’s strength in depth in the women’s game has been a major factor in helping them to lead Division 2 of the Munster Senior League at the halfway stage, following nine rounds of play. Their ability to win on the road has proved vital; single-goal wins away to against Cork Harlequins and Waterford, especially the latter, where they came from two down to win 3-2. That keeps a two-point buffer between them and Cork C of I, who are chasing hard but suffered a harrowing 6-1 defeat at Rosbrien. Ciara Moloney’s goals have been vital for an Insta side skippered by Orla Curtin – she claimed two in the 4-0 defeat of Belvedere and nabbed the only goal in a Division 2 cup victory over C of I in Garryduff.

Their sole loss has come against neighbours Limerick, who are seven points off the pace but have two games in hand. John Meyler’s troops are not finding things as easy as they had in their two successive promotions, but few favours are handed out in one of the most competitive leagues in the province. The loss of New Zealand-bound central midfielder Fenagh Smith hasn’t helped in this regard, although Munster U18 Ciara Hayes is having a fine season in her place, rotating between the midfield and centre forward roles. Another player on the move is Aoife Ryan, who has settled well since moving back to the defence from the forward line, while Gillian Quigley, who arrived from YMCA, has settled in well. Goalkeeper Anne Marie Byrne has been the team’s star at the back as they’ve notched some notable results; the win over Insta and a 2-1 defeat of Cork Harlequins the main notables. Quins are the next team back in fourth place, with Maria Collins’ troops having a mixed campaign in front of goal. They came from two goals down to draw with Limerick in a highly-charged encounter, but defeats to Institute and Fermoy and 1-1 draws on the road to C of I and Ashton have hindered progress. When things have clicked, Belvedere (4-0) and Bandon (4-1) have been on the receiving end, with four-goal Jane Chapple the side’s top scorer. Coach David Egner has termed late Munster U18 call-up Abbey Oakes as the “find of the year” while the return of Norma Brady and Erica Breen has bolstered the defence and the consistency of Kate Herbert and Fiona Higgins has been a major plus. Also featuring in a very bunched-looking mid-table are John Moloney’s Fermoy, who are down a number of players due to pregnancy but have seen the gaps filled by younger members of the north Cork club.

Nat Keniry’s return after having her first baby has boosted the forward line – as evidence by a hat-trick in the heartbreaking 4-3 Irish Trophy defeat to Larne – while renowned Irish Hockey Photographers snapper Ondine Roche has performed miracles between the sticks, not least in saving a late penalty stroke to help Fermoy to a 1-0 cup win over Quins recently. Trish Fitzpatrick and Munster U18’s Ciara Sexton have also been among the goals this year – the side have 15 from 7 games in total – but they are aiming to up that tally and finish in the top half of the table. Two wins in their two games in hand would bring them back into title contention. Elsewhere, defending champions Bandon have had a tricky campaign, notching just two wins from eight as much of their panel are playing with other teams in the club every weekend. Ciara McCarthy – as she has done in Division 1 – has been their main source of goals while Munster U16’s Laura Buttimer is also having a fine season. Having seen off Belfast Harlequins 3-2 in the Irish Junior Cup and reached the final of last year’s Division 2 Cup, Rob Smith’s side are hoping the cup competitions will provide some salvation from a tough league campaign over the coming months – as evidenced by their brilliant 4-3 away win over Limerick recently. Meanwhile, at the bottom of the table it’s a three-way fight between Belvedere, Ashton and Waterford – with two points separating them – to avoid the drop, though Bandon could yet be dragged into the mire. With four of Division 3’s top five all likely to be seeking promotion if they finish top of the pile, relegation is a real possibility in the tier above. Belvedere have had to cope with the loss of seven first-teamers since their drop from Division 1, although Ann Marie Dooley is still the side’s totem, having hit six goals this term with Trish Moran netting three, while Waterford have also slipped back somewhat since their own experience of the top level a couple of seasons ago. The trio all seem to have difficulties finding the net – they’ve yet to hit double figures after nine games – though Ashton will be hoping their defensive record, which is comparable with any side in the league, will help lift them out of trouble. The Division 2 league table can be viewed here, with cup results available here. Thanks to Valerie Buttimer (Bandon), David Egner (Cork Harlequins), Lorraine McGowan (Limerick) and Marie Arnold (Fermoy) for their help in compiling this report.