Slick Banbridge too hot for C of I

Leeside again proved a happy hunting ground for Banbridge as they dismantled Cork Church of Ireland 4-1 at Garryduff on Saturday.

Colin Dowds steered home a cross after 15 minutes with Stephen Dowds doubling the lead with a mis-hit shot that wriggled past an unsighted Billy Lynch — who was otherwise superb — in the C of I goal.

Bann’s third had a big element of luck, Josh Moffett pouncing after a harmless through ball left by the C of I defence came back into play off the post, before Simon Magowan and Bruce McCandless marauded down the right for the latter to finish. Andy Gray pulled one back for C of I off a neat short corner move but the Rochestown side’s wait for a first Irish Senior Cup since 1999 continues.

Elsewhere, Lisnagarvey saw off UCD 2-1 while Pembroke won a cracker 7-3 at Cookstown; other big hitters Monkstown and Three Rock Rovers had heavy wins over Ulster opposition.

Mark Deane’s silver goal helped Bandon edge out Catholic Institute 4-3 in an all-Munster Irish Hockey Trophy clash. Simon Brickenden’s last-minute penalty stroke for Institute forced extra-time while the hosts’ goalkeeper Tristan Murphy subsequently denied Bandon from the spot before Deane struck the winner.

In the Munster league, Fionn O’Leary’s late goal denied Cork Harlequins a valuable victory at UCC, the former Bandon man salvaging a 2-2 draw for the students.

In the Women’s Irish Senior Cup Round Two, Rachel Gray’s short corner strike broke Cork Harlequins hearts as Old Alex steered themselves to a 1-0 win over the Munster pace-setters and there were wins too for UCD, Loreto Railway Union .