Munster net three hockey titles
Cork Church of Ireland’s women claimed the first national crown in their history in style on Saturday, thumping North Down 8-1 in the Irish Hockey Trophy final.
Eddie Kirwan’s side had a remarkable run to the decider, never once enjoying home advantage as they beat Muckross, Avoca, Rathgar and NUIG, but saved their best for last.
Ali O’Regan’s clipped finish got them up and running only for Lauren Brown to equalise from a corner, but that was as good as it got for the Ulster girls.
Captain Amy Roberts scored two in as many minutes for a 3-1 half-time lead and once Kate Humphreys and Louise Egan scored midway through the second half, it was plain sailing for C of I. O’Regan got her second before teeing up Roberts for her hat-trick and Ireland U18 defender Emma Barber for the game’s final goal.
Clonakilty’s Irish Hockey Challenge final against Botanic was a different affair, the West Cork side winning their first national crown on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
Clon had the best of the chances, with Freda Buttimer dinging the post and seeing another effort taken off the line. But Melvin Beamish’s girls needed Lisa Kemp to clear off her own goal-line from a corner in the last play of extra-time.
Goalkeeper Debbie Hurley was the heroine as she saved four penalties in the shootout, with Clon finally prevailing 5-4 in sudden death.
It’s a marvellous achievement for Clon, who are only in their third year of existence and have also won successive promotions in Munster as well as a domestic cup.
Coach Beamish hoped to round off his day with more silverware as his Bandon side contested the men’s Irish Hockey Trophy final, but they were defeated 4-2 by Newry.
Mark Kingston’s deflection gave Bandon a perfect start but they fell behind by half-time and despite David Jennings setting up Julius Haendel for their second, it was too late to salvage the tie.
Limerick men were also first-time Irish cup winners since their 2000 formation, avenging a 2010 Challenge final loss by beating Portrush 3-2, a drag-flick double from Ireland U16 panellist Andrew Tutty helping to reverse a 2-1 half-time deficit.
It makes first half goalscorer Cathal Duggan unique in Irish hockey as the first player to win the IHC with different clubs, having been victorious with Catholic Institute last season.
Meanwhile, Scott Furlong’s four set-piece strikes proved enough for Pembroke Wanderers — who had Munster men David Quinn and Scott Sullivan in their ranks — to win the men’s Irish Junior Cup.
They beat Monkstown 4-3 with Furlong netting a trio of drag-flicks and one from the penalty spot; all Monkstown’s goals came from set-pieces too, a pair of Zack Dutton rockets and a Keith Kenning rebound.
UCD claimed the women’s Irish Junior Cup crown, their seconds getting in on the national trophy act after their firsts won the Irish Senior Cup and Irish Hockey League in recent months. The Belfield side beat Pembroke 3-1.
The Irish Hockey League wildcard play-offs produced bad news for Munster teams; John Hobbs’ goal wasn’t enough for Cork Harlequins’ men to qualify for next year’s tournament as they lost 2-1 to Annadale in Dublin. Catholic Institute crashed out on penalty strokes in the women’s final, Ulster Elks squeezing through after a 1-1 draw.
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