Harlequins’ hopes hanging by a thread

Cork Harlequins’ hopes of making the Irish Hockey League semi-finals are hanging by a thread after a 3-1 defeat to Ards.

It leaves Quins eight points off pool leaders UCD with two rounds remaining and means Loreto’s trip to Cork in February will hold the key to the Leesiders’ fate.

UCC are in a similarly perilous position, cursing a slow start as first quarter goals from Christine Quinlan and Rosie Carrigan gave Hermes a 2-0 win over the Cork students.