Revenge in mind for C of I in cup final

CORK Church of Ireland have a chance for instant redemption as they visit bitter rivals Cork Harlequins for the second time in eight days, this time in tomorrow’s Peard Cup final (Harlequin Park, 2.30pm).

C of I went three goals up in the opening 10 minutes, and led 4-2 going into the last few, but somehow conspired to lose 5-4 to hand Quins pole position in the Munster title race.

The challenge for C of I coach Mark Ruddle is to restore some defensive authority to his side, while his Quins counterpart Phil Oakley knows his side must keep their short corner concessions down to nullify John Jermyn’s drag-flick threat, while also keeping in-form David Hobbs under wraps.

That is the main event during a bumper weekend of cup final action in Munster. Amazingly, Quins and C of I also meet in the Munster Junior Cup, Cork Cup and McLean Cup deciders.

Limerick’s women contest the women’s Division 3 and 4 finals, against Dungarvan and Bandon respectively, while Cashel/New Inn — a new club formed just last summer — meeting Dungarvan in the Division 6 equivalent.

Meanwhile, it’s a vital weekend for UCC and Cork Harlequins, who are still battling for the automatic Irish Hockey League qualification spot offered by finishing second in Munster.

College are the side in possession and will open up a five-point lead if, as expected, they defeat UL in their final league encounter. But the students’ fate is out of their hands thereafter; they could then face a nervous wait for Quins to complete the remaining three games of their league programme, in the coming week or so.

College will be hoping for a favour from Catholic Institute, who have already claimed the league title but are gunning for a 100% record this season and will be hoping to complete it at Harlequin Park tomorrow (12pm).

The permutations for Quins are simple — if they can take six points from the nine on offer against Institute, Bandon (away) and C of I (home), they will qualify and College will head to the minefield of the wildcard playoffs.

Bandon are not out of the equation mathematically either, but must win their last three games — starting tomorrow against C of I — and hope Quins lose all theirs to claim third place.

Meanwhile, Glenanne have two bites at the cherry to claim the Leinster men’s title this weekend as they face Monkstown and Weston, where they still need a point after losing to YMCA and drawing with Corinthian in recent days.

Only a miracle can stop Hermes winning the ladies’ crown; avoiding defeat away to UCD will be enough, while a superior goal difference should also leave them safe, even if they fail to pick up a point.

Elsewhere, it’s the turn of the Irish Junior Cup to grab national attention at Belfield tomorrow; Lisnagarvey have a chance to complete a remarkable double with their men taking on Banbridge and women locking horns with Railway Union, both hoping to add to the Irish Trophy won by the Down club’s women’s firsts last weekend.