C of I continue fine runin cups

Hockey: Cork Church of Ireland’s promising season in cup competitions season continues after their seconds won a Leeside derby to advance to the last eight of the women’s Irish Junior Cup.

They were deadlocked at 2-2 against Cork Harlequins, with goals from schoolgirls Chloe Fenton and Louise Egan cancelling out efforts from Katie O’Mara and Judy Mills for Quins. But C of I prevailed 4-3 in the ensuing penalty shoot-out.

They were joined in the quarter-finals by Bandon, who were again a thorn in the side of a Dublin side as strikes from Rachel Desmond and Roisin O’Mahony helped them see off Old Alex 2-0. Ashton’s interest ended as they fell 5-0 to last year’s finalists Pembroke Wanderers, among the favourites to go all the way this year.

Cork C of I also advanced in the men’s competition, defeating North Down 6-1, but Cork Harlequins’ tie with Annadale fell victim to the cold weather and will be refixed.

UCC’s men kept their hopes of Irish Hockey League qualification alive and put some distance between themselves and Bandon by winning 3-2 against the West Cork men at the Mardyke.

Wesley Brownlow’s pair of first-half drag-flicks were cancelled out by a thundering reverse and one from the penalty spot by Ali Smith. However, UCC won a stroke of their own late on and Brownlow converted to complete his hat-trick and seal the three points.

The battle of the Moloney sisters went the way of the eldest, Ciara, as her Catholic Institute side knocked Clodagh’s UCC out of the Munster Senior Cup. Rosie Pratt and Aebfhinn Bourke notched the crucial goals in a 2-1 win with Ciara Sexton replying.

Ashton were made to work hard by Division 1B UL for all their goals in a 7-0 cup success, Caroline McCarthy claiming a hat-trick while Ailse Holland notched the pick of the bunch with a rising first-time finish.

In midweek, Cork Harlequins had a comfortable 3-0 cup win over Cork C of I, Orlagh Cotter among the scorers after recently returning from a sojourn abroad.

Fermoy got their first win in 10 months to get their Division 1 Challenge off to a good start, withstanding a lot of second-half pressure from Clonmel after Aibhin O’Sullivan had finished off a slick team move to claim a 2-1 success. Cobh surprised Tipperary in the Division 1B Cup with a 2-0 win in East Cork.