UCC’s late show seals spot in Trophy final

UNIVERSITY College Cork will contest their first ever national senior final after coming from behind to see off Clontarf 2-1 in a fraught Irish Hockey Trophy semi-final at the Mardyke on Saturday.

Gareth Borland’s improvised drag-flick gave ‘Tarf a shock lead, but Andy Gray picked out Fionn O’Leary with a peach of a pass, and the Munster U21 dangerman flicked home.

College had a number of second-half let-offs, but their winner came 10 minutes into injury time, Roger Gray drag-flicking home. The hosts survived a ‘Tarf corner on the final whistle to progress to an April 3 meeting at Belfield with South Antrim, who saw off Belfast Harlequins 2-1.

Meanwhile, there was Irish Hockey League heartbreak for Catholic Institute’s women, as they missed out on a semi-final place on goal difference.

Kym Daly’s brace had helped them keep up their end of the bargain by earning a bonus point in their 3-0 defeat of UCC, but drama at Belfield saw Hermes progress ahead of them.

The Dubliners lost 3-2 to fellow contenders Loreto, but the bonus point earned in defeat saw all three sides finish on 12 points, with Hermes advancing due to a superior goal difference. As expected, Pegasus topped Pool A, completing a 100% record with a 4-0 dismissal of Belfast Harlequins.

Railway Union spanked Ards 4-0 to claim top spot in Pool B, and the holders will now reprise last season’s semi-final meeting with Hermes. For Pegasus, it’s a chance to exact revenge on UCD for the students’ shock Irish Senior Cup win in 2009; they’ll face the Belfielders, whose 1-1 draw with Armagh saw them advance.

Ballymoney’s hopes of progression evaporated in Cork, where Cliodhna Sargent’s early strike saw Cork Harlequins sign off on their campaign on a high note with a 1-0 victory.

Meanwhile, Banbridge timed their run of form to perfection to qualify for the last four of the men’s IHL, by defeating YMCA 4-2, Bruce McCandless’ pair of strikes the catalyst for a win which followed up a shock 6-2 dismissal of Pembroke Wanderers.

The latter topped the pool with a 2-1 win over Monkstown, ending their neighbours’ chances in the process, though controversy raged over a disallowed Maurice Elliott goal and Paddy Good’s winner.

In the pool’s dead rubber, a hat-trick of David Eakins short corner goals saw Cork Harlequins see off Instonians 4-1 and avoid the wooden spoon.

In Pool A, 4-1 victories for both Glenanne and Lisnagarvey — over Cookstown and Corinthian respectively — saw them advance to the last four. Cork C of I ended the campaign bottom of the table though, as they endured another miserable IHL outing that ended in a 6-3 defeat to Annadale. Glens will now beet Bann in the last four, with Pembroke clashing with ‘Garvey in a repeat of last year’s final.