C of I fancy chances of ousting powerful Pegasus

THE improving form of the Cork Church of Ireland women’s side is perhaps due its biggest test of the season at Garryduff tomorrow when they face the powerful northern outfit Pegasus in the quarter-final of the ESB Senior Cup (hit-off 2 pm).

Having lost just one league game this season the youthful C of I side are slowly building confidence under new coach Philip Oakley, although fully aware that this weekend’s cup clash is going to be a very difficult encounter.

Oakley, who took over the reigns at the start of the season is under no illusions as to the challenge facing his charges, but he says they have every advantage in their favour to progress.

“We have the home advantage and we’ll hopefully have a large crowd out for the game. We have to be able to take advantage of anything that can give us an edge over what we know to be a very good team,” he said.

“Pegasus are an extremely tough team - possibly one of the best in the country - and they are well capable of coming down to Cork and securing a semi-final place. But, we have been a much stronger side this year and have been playing much better.”

Oakley admits that his side lacks the level of international experience that Pegasus have, but he said that with players like Sinead Connery (sister of Irish international, Fiona), Jennifer Hales and Deirdre Casey, C of I have strength and experience.

“We came through a very tough game against Ards in the last round away from home and I think that will stand to us. We beat them 3-2 and we are expecting pretty much more of the same. It might be a bit faster and more sophisticated this weekend.

“Pegasus have strength in depth and the likes of Katharine Smyth, Karen Humphreys, Suzanne Beaney and Arlene Boyles are all either current or past internationals, so they’re not lacking in that regard. The only person they’re missing really is Jill Orbinson, who cannot play, having spent much of the season in Holland.

“But we know it is going to be difficult and we will have to get in amongst them from the start and try and upset their rhythm,” Oakley said.

He added that while C of I were performing well in the league, even though Harlequins have games in hand, he felt his side were closing the gap on the perennial league winners and thought the second league game between the two sides would tell a lot about how far his charges have come.

“We know we’re going in the right direction and we have a good mix of youth and experience. The club’s youth policy is certainly paying dividends right now and there are plenty of players coming through.

“But we won’t be changing anything ahead of this game and will try to play our normal game,” he said.

In the other quarter-finals this weekend, Ballymoney play Railway Union, Loreto play Hermes and Pembroke Wanderers play Old Alexandria.

CORK CHURCH OF IRELAND: from - L Hourihan (GK), J Hales (Capt), C Hickey, S Casey, K Hales, S Hackett, M Ryan, A Roberts, H Moffett, G Young, A O’Connor, A O’Regan, S Connery, C Murphy, Z Cremin (GK), D Casey.

PEGASUS: from - S Moffett (GK), J Perry (GK), K McCollum, N Graham, S Wilkinson, F Ferguson, C Redpath, K Smyth, C McMahon, S Beaney, K McConnell, A Boyles (Capt), K Humphreys, G Irwin, A Speers, J McKnight.