Sam Grace earns UCC draw at leaders Bandon

Bandon were left kicking themselves after UCC left West Cork with a 4-4 draw following a helter-skelter top of the table clash in Munster’s men’s Division 1.

Gary Wilkinson put the students ahead early on, but inspired by Graham Kingston and Darren Beamish, Bandon worked hard to build a 3-1 lead.

Wesley Brownlow pulled one back before half-time and a breakaway goal finished by Fionn O’Leary levelled it, only for Bandon to get their noses in front once more.

But Sam Grace, whose late drag-flick sealed UCC’s 4-2 Peard Cup final win over Bandon on St Stephen’s Day, repeated the trick with four minutes to go to earn College a share of the spoils. Bandon, however, stay a point ahead of UCC at the top of the table.

Cork C of I’s seconds, at something close to full strength with their first team not in action this weekend, made light work of Limerick, winning 8-0 with Bernard Fohrmann and Julian Dale both scoring twice.

In the newly-formed men’s Division 1B, both Galway and Ashton missed chances to close the gap on leaders Cork Harlequins as they drew 0-0 in the Tribe city.

Flooding affected the first women’s games of 2016 with Ashton’s clash with Catholic Institute called off at half-time when a deluge rendered an already sodden pitch unplayable. Blackrock’s clash with Fermoy in the Division 1 Challenge didn’t even get started due to similar issues.

Hilary Chapple’s return to action after over a year out helped inspire Clonakilty to a crushing 6-1 win over Clonmel in the Challenge, while Cork C of I were held to a 3-3 draw in Waterford. In Division 1B, Bruff’s woes continue as Tipperary left Limerick with a 4-1 win.