Dream Harlequins debut for Beamish

Darren Beamish enjoyed a Cork Harlequins debut to remember as he struck the only goal of the game to help the Irish Senior Cup champions see off Cookstown at a freezing Farmer’s Cross on Saturday.

Former Bandon man Beamish had initially decided to step away from hockey this year but jumped at an invite to join the Quins setup. And he found room in a crowded circle to reverse home a second-half winner in a patchy clash interrupted by a serious head injury to Cookstown’s Greg Allen, who was taken by ambulance to hospital.

It was also a memorable day for Quins’ veteran goalkeeper Nigel Bryan. With Chris Daunt now working in Sweden and talented Munster U16 Jack Ryan still considered too green for this level, Bryan donned the goalie pads for the first time in a decade and made a number of fine saves to keep his side’s title defence motoring on.