Title now in sight as Quins edge out C of I

IRISH international captain Eimear Cregan made a goalscoring return to the colours of Cork Harlequins as they moved into pole position to close on a 14th consecutive women’s Munster Senior League title with a 3-2 win over Cork C of I at Garryduff on Saturday.

Cregan, who had yet to play in 2009 due to a persistent foot injury, claimed one of three short corner deflections — Hilary Chapple and Karen Bateman grabbed the others — to send Quins into a 3-0 lead by the 51st minute.

A pair of rockets from Michaela Mihailou and Mel Ryan gave C of I hope, but it wasn’t enough for the hosts, who are now out of the title race. Second-placed UCC can still force a title play-off, provided they defeat struggling Belvedere tomorrow night and then beat Quins in their own backyard on April 7.

Quins will again be minus midfield fulcrum Rachael Kohler plus Cliona O’Connor and Jane Chapple, all out for personal reasons, for that clash. But Cregan’s return is a huge boon for Clive Seale’s side, who just need to avoid defeat when the students visit Harlequin Park.

C of I’s men find themselves facing a similar requirement, as they need just a single point from their final league game to retain their title after drawing 1-1 with Cork Harlequins yesterday. C of I surrendered their 100% record as Dan Hobbs’ drag-flick cancelled out a similar effort by John Jermyn, but only a major upset will prevent them getting the result they need at home to Quins B, who they trounced 9-0 earlier this season.

Elsewhere, there was heartbreak for the women of Fermoy and Catholic Institute on the national stage this weekend. Fermoy lost out to YMCA on penalty strokes in the Irish Challenge final, after Trish Fitzpatrick’s early strike had preceded Helen Keane’s penalty stroke for YM, leaving the sides deadlocked at 1-1.

Belfield didn’t prove a happy hunting ground for Institute either, as they went down 2-1 to Ulster Elks in the Irish Trophy final.

The Elks, for whom Irish international Emma Clarke hit the winner after Aoife Kenny cancelled out Jenny McVeigh’s opener, endured pain of their own 24 hours earlier, as they exited the Irish Senior Cup at the hands of UCD, losing their semi-final 2-1.

The Dublin students, chasing their second title since their maiden win 58 years ago, will now have “home” advantage at Belfield in the final against three-in-a-row-seeking Pegasus, who edged out Ballymoney 2-1.

But the most dramatic hockey of the weekend came at Coolnafranky, where Cork C of I eked out a thrilling 4-3 win at Cookstown to reach the final of the men’s Irish Junior Cup. Quickfire strikes from Roger Gray and Nick Burns reeled in an early 2-0 deficit, before Richie Dorman — who along with Derek Hales was part of the 1993 side that won this trophy — blasted home a penalty corner in the final play of the game to seal a famous victory.

C of I will now play Pembroke Wanderers, who saw off YMCA thanks to a double from IHA Young Player of the Year Stuart Loughrey. Pembroke are in search of a senior and junior cup double — they meet quadruple-chasing Cookstown in the senior decider, after they saw off Annadale 3-1.