Champions ’Quins scrape past students

UCC’s new-look outfit showed further signs that they will be pushing the top three men’s sides in Munster but, ultimately, their indiscretions cost them at key moments at Farmer’s Cross as reigning champions Cork Harlequins won by the odd goal in five.

Corner moves from Mark Black and Dan Hobbs were just reward for the host’s first-half dominance. The students roared back into contention when Graham Catchpole finished from the top of the circle following a five-man move — the first Quins have conceded in the league. Makeshift forward Brian Hayes-Curtin provided an instant response, a hotly-contested effort which saw UCC skipper Andy Gray sin-binned.

He was one of three from his side to be sent to the line and it stagnated a strong showing which culminated in Cian Kavanagh’s equally debatable effort which seemingly struck a foot.

There were late chances to level but the champions held on to keep their noses in front of Bandon who smashed Quins’ B team 7-2 with Andrew Scannell bagging a hat-trick.

On the women’s side, UCC picked up their first win of the campaign with a hard-fought 2-0 victory in Limerick against student rivals UL thanks to Olivia Roycroft’s second half goals.

Munster claimed third place in both age groups at the U18 and U16 interprovincials. At the younger age group, they began well, tying with perennial challengers Leinster and Ulster on Saturday. A win in either would have seen them in pole position for the title but the blues took the title when they beat Ulster 1-0 in the tournament’s penultimate game, Ailbhe Marsh scoring the vital goal.

At U18 level, Ulster retained the title for a fourth successive title with a perfect record, four wins and four clean sheets.

In the EuroHockey League, Ireland will be without a last 16 contestant for the first time in four seasons as Ulster duo Banbridge and Cookstown bowed out in the first round.