Quins relinquish club title as Annadale prove too strong

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).

Harlequins put up a brave fight but the absence of injured key players told against them in the end. Ian Hamilton (2), Ian McKeown and Iain Lewers got the goals for Annadale, with David Eakins getting both the Cork Harlequins scores.

The other two Ulster sides in the competition, Lisnagarvey and Instonians, also qualified for the finals.

Irish Senior Cup holders Lisnagarvey, trailing 3-1 from their first-leg match in Dublin, defeated Glenanne 2-0 at Lisburn to win the tie on the away goals rule. Mark Tumilty snatched the all-important second goal for Lisnagarvey with just two minutes left to play. Kevin Lunn had given the home side a 12th-minute lead.

Instonians turned in a top-class display at Grange Road to defeat Three Rock Rovers 4-2 after extra time, and win the tie 6-4 on aggregate. A late Peter McConnell goal for Three Rock Rovers saw the sides level 2-2 at the end of normal time, with Charlie Carroll getting the side’s other goal, and Chris Barnes and Andrew Cousins scoring for Instonians.

Two further extra-time goals from Chris Barnes saw Instonians safely in the finals.

Cork Church of Ireland succeeded where Harlequins failed but they will have to come up with a much-improved performance if they hope to go on and win the title in Dublin over the May Bank Holiday weekend.

On Saturday at Garryduff, C of I won their second leg against Corinthian with a Philip Smith strike. They failed however to produce the form which saw them win the first-leg match in Dublin 2-0.

Indeed, were it not for some outstanding goalkeeping from Mark Ruddle, then the final outcome may well have been far closer.

In the 23rd minute, Ruddle produced a superb save to deny Mark Magnier, who found space close in following a free hit on the right.

Ruddle was again in action in the 43rd minute, this time keeping out a Wesley Rothwell effort. A lead goal for Corinthians would have put them right back in the tie, but any hopes they had were killed off in the 51st minute, when Philip Smith was on hand to score from Church of Ireland’s fourth penalty corner.

Once they had scored, Church of Ireland produced their best hockey of a tough and hard-fought match, but it was Corinthians who finished the stronger, with Ruddle making three more fine saves from Aaron Clauson and Dan Williams.

Meanwhile in the women’s competition, newly-crowned European Division Two ladies hockey champions Loreto were the recipients of many congratulations when they visited Farmers Cross on Saturday, but the celebratory mood soon turned to disappointment as Cork Harlequins knocked them out of this season’s Irish Club Championship.

In an occasionally physical encounter, an excellent Quins side scored a goal in each half, leading 3-2 after the first leg and running out comfortable 5-2 winners overall.

The Cork ladies, who lost the Sharwoods Irish Senior Cup final to the same opposition last month, got off to a tonic start with a goal as early as the third minute, following a penalty corner. Elaine Bromell’s initial shot was brilliantly saved by trainee garda Louisa Healy, but Irish team captain Rachel Kohler reacted quickest of all to slot the ball in the net.

After that there was little between the sides and the visitors came close to levelling matters 13 minutes from time. Catriona O’Kelly found the net but umpire Zenia Howe had blown for a penalty corner and this was well-saved by the home defence.

The clinching goal came in the 67th minute when Marissa Ahern robbed Rachel Brophy of possession and a

delightful pass saw Karen Bateman give Healy no chance. Harlequins now take their place in the All-Ireland round robin series at Belfield next weekend. Also involved in this will be Hermes, Old Alexandra and Pegasus.

Hermes had a goal advantage after the first leg and three more on Saturday against Belfast Harlequins, with Shirine Young, Catriona Carey and Jenny Burke netting.

Trish Conway and Hazel Agar were Old Alexandra’s scorers in their victory over Ards, with the aggregate tally being 6-2.

Pegasus, holding a 3-2 lead after the first leg in Bandon, scored four times without any reply from the visitors.