CORK CHURCH of Ireland were left to rue a couple of early defensive howlers as their title ambitions were taken out of their hands by Cork Harlequins on Saturday.

A STUNNING 5-0 romp over Ulster proved the highlight of a thrilling ESB Electric Ireland Senior Women’s inter-provincials for Munster, as they annexed the title for the first time since 2003.

LOSING to your little brother in the back garden is bad enough, but doing so in an Irish Hockey League semi-final “just can’t happen” according to Jason Lynch.

CORK C of I and Cork Harlequins all but kissed goodbye to any lingering hopes they might mount a challenge for a men’s Irish Hockey League semi-final spot, after suffering heavy defeats at home to Dublin opposition on Saturday.

GLENANNE ensured Ireland will have two representatives in the last 16 of the EuroHockey League for the first time, after they got the favour they required from German side Mannheimer in Terrassa, Spain yesterday.

CATHOLIC INSTITUTE will be keen to mark their centenary year in style as their men’s and women’s teams both contest the Munster Senior Cup finals on home turf at Rosbrien, Limerick today.

CORK’S big two meet for the second time in a fortnight this weekend, with Cork Harlequins hoping home advantage can help swing things their way in their Peard Cup semi-final clash with Cork C of I at Harlequin Park tomorrow (12pm).

MISMATCHES were the order of the opening day of the hockey season in Munster, with the province’s heavy hitters all recording big wins on Saturday.

HOPE springs eternal for some of the lesser lights in Munster hockey as the domestic season gets underway this weekend.

THE combined division one and two cup in women’s hockey saw eight games being played between Saturday and yesterday and for UCC it was a bad weekend, with all three of their sides in action crashing out.

HEARTBREAK for Cobh as they bowed out of the Odlums Ladies Irish Junior Hockey Cup after a penalty shoot out with Belfast Harlequins on Saturday.

CORK camogie star Emer Dillon returned to hockey action over the weekend and bagged two goals as Harlequins hit Waterford for six in the Munster Senior League clash at Newtown School grounds.

Ireland women’s first full international since last winter’s World Cup ended in a 0-0 draw against Japan in Den Bosch, Holland, today.

CORK HARLEQUINS’ reign as All- Ireland club champions came to an end at Lough Moss Leisure Centre on Saturday, when they were beaten 4-2 by Ulster Senior League winners Annadale (6-3 on aggregate).

MUNSTER bridged an eight years gap when winning the ladies senior hockey interprovincial title at Harlequin Park, Cork - drawing with Leinster and taking the honours in fine style against Ulster and Connacht.