Church of Ireland seconds still a formidable force

That a club’s second XI could win a competition for the province’s best teams says everything about the depth of talent available to Cork Church of Ireland ahead of the Peard Cup final today (Garryduff, 2pm).

C of I B take on Cork Harlequins in this year’s decider and any time their first team - who are flying high in the EY Hockey League — aren’t concurrently in action, it gives the seconds a wealth of talent to call upon.

The Garryduff club have produced many of the province’s best young players in the last decade, while their presence as the only Munster club in the national league has seen others migrate from other clubs to play at the top level.