Three Rock Rovers finish with a flourish to end Church of Ireland’s cup hopes
Jody Hosking’s classy reverse had Rovers in front with C of I, last year’s beaten finalists, spurning five short corners before Stephen Sweetnam slung home a drag-flick with 60 seconds remaining to level it.
But the hosts self-destructed, losing two men to yellow cards inside 20 seconds and Three Rock worked the extra men cleverly to give Hosking the opportunity to score his second and silence a sizeable Garryduff crowd.
Monkstown assume the mantle of favourites after Jonny Bruton’s double underpinned their 4-1 success at Pembroke. Shannon Boucher slotted a hat-trick as Glenanne saw off YMCA 5-3, while Lisnagarvey will fly the Ulster flag in the last four, after winning an entertaining tie 6-3 at Railway Union.
On the women’s side, Hermes surged past Ballymoney 4-0 with Nikki Evans scoring twice; she got another in their 3-0 win at UCC in an EY Hockey League back match in Cork on Sunday. The Dubliners’ task got easier after Railway Union surprisingly lost on penalty strokes to Ards after a 1-1 draw.
Ulster Elks look to be their main rivals for the cup; they also needed a shoot-out to advance after a 1-1 tie with Pegasus, while Gill Pinder’s strike gave UCD a 1-0 success at Loreto.
Elsewhere, Catholic Institute advanced to the last four of the women’s Irish Trophy thanks to goals from Michelle Barrett and Niamh O’Keeffe in a 2-0 home win over Clontarf.
Lorna McCutcheon’s classy lifted finish helped Ashton rescue a 1-1 draw against Bandon in Munster Division 1, though the result does neither side many favours in their bid to catch runaway leaders Institute.
In the Division 1 Challenge, Cork C of I won for the first time since September, defeating a depleted Fermoy side 6-2, with Amy Roberts bagging a hat-trick.
Clonakilty remain the side to beat after they edged Blackrock 4-3.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
