Harlequins a step away from return to the big time

Hockey: Cork Harlequins are a step away from being back in the big time after ousting Pegasus 2-1 in the Irish Senior Cup quarter-finals on Saturday.

Alex Speers had cancelled out Laurene Buckley’s strike for Quins to send a tight game into extra-time, but Quins held their nerve and won out thanks to a silver goal from Lesley-Ann Daunt.

They’ll be joined in today’s semi-final draw by Railway Union, Ulster Elks and Hermes, who all progressed as anticipated but not without a few scares en route.

Former Quins girl Julia O’Halloran scored to help her Railway Union side to a 4-1 success over Glenanne, while, Aine Connery, on her return from Irish international duty in Spain, bagged a winner with the last play of the game in Hermes’ 2-1 defeat of Belfast Harlequins.

Ulster Elks beat Lisnagarvey 4-2 despite being without Irish captain Megan Frazer, who picked up a hamstring injury during last week’s Spanish trip.

Cork Church of Ireland kept their defence of the Irish Hockey Trophy on track as a hat-trick from Munster U18 starlet Louise Egan saw them account for Monkstown 3-0.

Ashton and Belvedere’s interest both ended with narrow losses on the road, going down 1-0 to Armagh and Our Lady’s respectively.

Munster’s other hope for glory, Bandon, will host Armagh in round three.

Domestically, UCC halted Bandon’s recent resurgence as goals from Steffi Bowe and Amy-Kate Trevor gave the students a 2-0 win.

In the women’s Division 1 Challenge, Tipperary and Waterford shared a 2-2 draw while Munster U16 captain Laura Foley netted twice in pace-setters Limerick’s 3-0 win over Clonmel, who play again on tomorrow night against Fermoy.

Clonakilty's Munster Junior duo Freda Buttimer and Trish Moloney gave them a surprise 2-0 win over Cashel/New Inn.

Bandon, Munster’s last side standing in the men’s Irish Trophy, knocked North Down in the quarter-finals for the second year in succession, winning 3-2 away to the Ulster side.

The men’s Division 1 title is Cork C of I’s to lose after they came from two goals down to beat closest rivals Cork Harlequins 4-2 to open up a five-point gap at the table summit.

John Hobbs and Shane Ross gave Quins a surprise 2-0 half-time lead, but John Jermyn’s ‘perfect’ hat-trick - a drag-flick, a penalty stroke and one from play - plus a Richard Sweetnam effort helped the champions turn things around.

C of I’s second team continue to set the pace in Division 1B after they beat a resolute Limerick side in the second half via goals from David Herbert and Jack O’Mahony.

Ashton picked up their first points of the season in a 1-1 draw away to Catholic Institute, although it might have been more had their short corner unit fired, letting five set-pieces slip while conceding none.

Steve Cody’s volleyed effort had Ashton in front at the break but Ivan Moore capitalised on a turnover to roof a shot past Kieran Healy, who was excellent between the sticks for Ashton.