Cork Church of Ireland’s fairytale journey derailed

C of I captain John Jermyn told this newspaper in 2012 upon returning from Belgium that he had hoped to win a senior cup with his hometown club, which seemed a fanciful notion at the time as they had rarely been near the competition’s business end since their last victory in 1999.

But their campaign was galvanised by a 4-3 quarter-final win at Lisnagarvey that was considered to be one of the biggest shocks in the competition’s history, and they backed that up by seeing off Railway Union on penalty strokes in Saturday’s semi-final.

With Banbridge comfortably beating Pembroke 4-0 in the other semi-final, it sent both sides into the final for the first time in the 21st century.

C of I went in as massive underdogs against a side who had beaten them 5-0 and 7-2 in their last two encounters, and who have just a single draw to blemish their record in all competitions this term.

Stephen Dowds roofed a fourth-minute penalty corner to put Bann in front but Stephen Sweetnam levelled with a drag of his own just before half-time. C of I produced an incredible defensive effort in the second half, sitting in half-court and working off 20% possession, with man of the match Billy Lynch making any number of saves.

Simon Wolfe proved C of I’s most dangerous outlet, winning a corner which wasn’t converted and opting to pass when put through one-on-one with Bann keeper Gareth Lennox. Extra-time arrived and Bann eventually broke the C of I resistance, going up the middle for Jamie Wright to pull hard and first-time the ball to the backboard.

C of I pressed for an equaliser but Andrew Gray’s last-gasp bash into the circle was missed by two players at the back post to ensure Bann could start their celebrations.

In the women’s final, former UCC and Munster player Aine Curran’s 3D stickwork gave Ulster Elks their maiden Irish Senior Cup title, notching the only goal of the game to end Hermes’ quadruple hopes.

Munster’s hopes of having a national cup winner remain intact elsewhere with both C of I and Bandon reaching Irish Hockey Trophy finals. The Rochestown girls drew 1-1 at Larne but prevailed on penalty strokes to get a chance to defend their crown against Galway next month, while Bandon — last year’s beaten finalists — are back in the decider after Darren Beamish, David Jennings and Dave Smith helped them to a 3-1 success at Raphoe. They’ll meet Clontarf, who edged Fingal 3-2.

Domestically, Catholic Institute were the big winners in Munster as they stunned Cork Harlequins on penalties in the Munster Senior Cup final at Garryduff. Cliodhna Sargent had Quins in front after five minutes but Rosie Pratt levelled for Insta in the final minutes of normal time before they prevailed 5-3 in the shootout.

UCC ended their season with some silverware as Holly Lehane’s strike - the only goal of the game - helped Phil Oakley’s side to a Munster Senior Plate final success over Bandon.

Clonakilty claimed a Division 1B and 3 Cup double, beating Cork Wanderers 2-1 after extra time in the former on Saturday before returning to Garryduff to see off Bandon 1-0 yesterday. Blackrock won the Division 4 Cup, beating Limerick by the odd goal in three.

Ashton’s men claimed third place in Division 1B with a comfortable 4-0 win over Galway, while Limerick secured second spot with a 9-1 success against 10-man Cork Harlequins B.