The first round of the Irish Hockey League quickly descended into a nightmare for the majority of Munster sides, with Catholic Institute’s 3-1 win over Greenfields the sole bright spot.

ANTRIM

Ireland’s premier hockey league gets a new lease of life this weekend after undergoing some major structural changes.

Tipperary may be overwhelming favourites to beat Clare in this evening’s Cadbury Munster U21 football championship semi-final at Semple Stadium (7.30pm) but with Joe Garry in charge of the visiting Banner, anything is possible.

Kilmurry-Ibrickane 0-10 St Joseph’s Doora Barefield 0-04

Three of the four Clare SFC semi-finalists are now known as a result of four last-eight games played at the weekend. Holders Kilmurry-Ibrickane will face Kilrush Shamrocks, but St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield will have to wait to and see as Doonbeg and Éire Óg Ennis played out a 2-11 to 3-8 draw.

Kilrush Shamrocks join Ennistymon, Cooraclare and Doonbeg in the Clare SFC quarter-finals as a result of a three point win over Shannon Gaels at Cooraclare.

BANDON will look to be the fly in Cork Harlequins’ ointment in a clash that is likely to end the losers’ faint title hopes at Harlequin Park tomorrow (12pm).

CATHOLIC INSTITUTE and UCC gave their supporters numerous nervy moments before prevailing in dramatic circumstances to advance to the last 16 of the men’s Irish Hockey Trophy.