UCC facing relegation battle

Ards matched UCC every step of the way over a turbulent EY Hockey League double weekend to leave the Cork students battling to avoid relegation.

College earned a fine 2-2 draw at UCD on Saturday through Saoirse O’Leary’s top corner deflection and an Antonia McGrath corner bash, only to find Ards had also drawn 1-1 at Cork Harlequins.

Kerry Harvey cancelled out Miriam Crowley’s opener with Quins down to nine. It meant Phil Oakley’s girls badly needed a win over Ards at the Mardyke yesterday but another 1-1 stalemate means ninth-placed College are two points behind Ards with two games remaining.