Institute aiming to bounce back after cup defeat

CATHOLIC INSTITUTE have an instant opportunity to bounce back from their Munster Senior Cup final defeat to Cork Harlequins in midweek, as they lock horns with Greenfields in the Irish Trophy final at Belfield on Sunday (1.30pm).

Institute are one of three Munster sides in national finals this weekend, and have further motivation to make their mark here, having lost last year’s decider to Ulster Elks.

However, coach Ger O’Carroll will have to plan without Irish international skipper Eimear Cregan, who is ineligible for national competitions having moved in mid-season from Quins.

Meanwhile, Fermoy also have unfinished business in the Irish Challenge final, where they meet YMCA in a repeat of last year’s decider.

They will look to Trish Fitzpatrick, Natalie Keniry and Cork camogie star Orla Cotter to get the goals, as they bid to avenge last year’s penalty strokes defeat to the Dubliners.

Limerick are in action in the men’s final against St Brendan’s, who will be hoping Gaelic Players Association chairman Dessie Farrell will be able to line out, having been red-carded earlier in the competition.

The Treaty city club have had a fabulous season, reaching three cup finals, and will hope veteran former Irish international Robbie Ryan can continue to turn back the clock.

Domestically, the probable destination of the Munster men’s title should be much clearer after the meeting of the top two, Quins and Cork C of I, at Harlequin Park tomorrow.

The sides drew 3-3 in their first league encounter before Christmas, but C of I have had the upper hand since then, winning 7-4 and 5-1 in domestic cup semi-finals.

While both sides still have to negotiate a potential upset at the hands of Bandon, the winner here is likely to go on to take the title.

Bandon have their own duel with UCC to concentrate on this weekend, knowing a victory will guarantee them an Irish Hockey League wildcard qualification spot.

It’s College’s last league encounter of the season, meaning the students must win and hope Bandon fail to pick up any points in the three games they have in hand, to snatch third place.

Things remain too tight to call in the women’s league, with three points separating the top four.

UCC have the advantage for now, as they lead by a point and have a game in hand over all their rivals bar Quins, starting with a home clash with basement side UL which should yield another three points.

Cork C of I head across town to face an in-form Quins, hoping to repeat their excellent spoiling work in the sides’ 1-1 draw a couple of weeks ago.

However, Quins are, ominously, on something of a roll having claimed a trophy and qualified for the last four of the IHL in the past six days. Nonetheless, neither side will be ruled out of the title race at this stage, no matter what the result.

In Leinster, the men’s title will be decided by the final round of games on Sunday, with Pembroke’s destiny in their own hands, while Hermes double up in the women’s league in the hope of putting daylight between themselves and Railway Union at the summit.