Bateman goals drive Quins closer to title

Cork Harlequins and Fermoy both made big moves at opposite ends of the table to set up a grandstand finale to the Munster women’s Division 1.

A pair of Karen Bateman goals rewarded Quins’ dominance in their 2-0 victory over title rivals Catholic Institute, who were without injured Irish international star striker Naomi Carroll and thus were forced into defensive mode.

Bateman converted a one-on-one from close range after 10 minutes before cracking home another midway through the second half off Rachael Kohler’s through ball.

It means a draw will be enough for Quins to retain their crown in the return clash at Rosbrien next month, but an Institute victory could set up the fascinating scenario of a three-way tie with UCC.

The students kept the pressure up by hammering Ashton 9-1, pulling away in the second half after being shocked by an early goal from the hosts’ Emma Harrington. Aine Curran and Miriam Crowley shared five goals.

Two 15-year-olds made the vital interventions for Fermoy as they kept their slim survival hopes alive with a 2-1 win at UL.

Needing a first win of the campaign to keep their fate in their own hands, that looked out of their reach after last weekend’s 4-0 capitulation at home to Simon Brickenden’s Limerick students.

Munster U16 midfielder Niamh Sexton saw a penalty stroke saved by UL netminder Elaine O’Flynn after just 40 seconds, but Fermoy recovered from that setback as Sexton cancelled out Sorcha Carey’s opener with an instinctive finish off a short corner rebound.

Fermoy made their big chance count four minutes from time. Sexton turned over ball in her own half and her 50 metre pass released Sophie Merry, who sent Trish Fitzpatrick clear on O’Flynn to flick home the winner.

With UL then crashing to a 3-0 defeat to fellow strugglers Limerick on Sunday — Irish Universities star Laura Peters netting twice — it opens the door for Fermoy to leapfrog them, although the chances are slim. C of I will fly the flag for Munster in the last eight of the Irish Hockey Trophy after winning 4-1 at Avoca with Claire Hickey’s brace underpinning an impressive display. Bandon took an early lead against Naas but were pegged back almost immediately and fell 3-1 at the Kildare venue.

Cork Harlequins re-entered the race for the second Irish Hockey League berth with a 6-0 dismissal of C of I B before a rather more impressive 3-1 success at Bandon, with Dan Hobbs on target twice.