Harlequins’ double blast dents C of I’s title hopes

CORK CHURCH of Ireland were left to rue a couple of early defensive howlers as their title ambitions were taken out of their hands by Cork Harlequins on Saturday.

Quins’ 2-0 victory in a disappointing encounter at Garryduff owed mainly to their ability to make the most of some early Christmas gifts from the C of I defence.

Twice they failed to clear their lines, allowing Paul Lombard to square for David Eakins to bundle home the opener inside four minutes. And that lead was doubled as C of I got their marking all wrong, leaving Phil McLaughlin all alone to be picked out by Jason Black. He surged into the circle unopposed before calmly rounding C of I keeper Billy Lynch to score.