UCC determined to ruffle a few feathers in IHL

UCC captain Fionn O’Leary hopes his side can be the ultimate spoilers as they make their Irish Hockey League debut at Instonians tomorrow.

The Cork students have moved from also-rans to Munster title contenders during Neil Welch’s five seasons at the helm, picking up the Irish Hockey Trophy and an inter-varsities title en route in 2012.

They ousted Cork Harlequins from Munster’s established top two last term and qualified for the IHL for the first time, but are rank outsiders in a pool containing champions Monkstown, Pembroke Wanderers, Annadale, Cookstown and Instonians.