Institute shake off gutsy Portrane

CATHOLIC INSTITUTE and UCC gave their supporters numerous nervy moments before prevailing in dramatic circumstances to advance to the last 16 of the men’s Irish Hockey Trophy.

Institute somehow survived three second-half yellow cards in prevailing 3-2 against Leinster’s Portrane at Rosbrien.

Cathal Duggan and Eric Callender both had efforts from play pegged back by Ralph Billings short corner goals, before Simon Brickenden’s drag-flick eventually won the day. College, last year’s beaten finalists, similarly did things the hard way at the Mardyke, winning 4-3 against Antrim in a tie which saw the lead swapped three times, Roger Gray’s upright reverse-stick strike sealing victory with 30 seconds to go.