Goals from Sweetnam and Kingston ensure Bandon retain Munster Hockey title
CHAMPIONS AGAIN: Bandon celebrating after defeating Waterford in the Men's Munster Senior Hockey Cup final, at Garryduff Sports Centre, Cork. Picture: David Keane.
It was a busy day of Munster hockey cup finals at Garryduff on St Patrick’s Day with underage and plate competitions taking place.
But the two main finals were the men’s and women’s Munster Senior Cup encounters.
In the men’s final it was a repeat of last year’s decider which saw Bandon take on Waterford, with the former retaining their title.
Last year it took shuttles to separate the sides, but this time Bandon made sure of retaining their title in normal time, thanks to goals from Clinton Sweetnam and Mark Kingston.
Waterford had started the better of the two sides with Iarlaith O’Neill making a several saves to ensure Bandon didn’t fall behind.
Isaac Johnson had the best of the chances for Waterford before Ethan Hamilton Foot went close for Bandon.
With 23 minutes gone it took a superb goal line block by Brian Stockil to deny Waterford’s Peio Garate following a penalty corner.
Two minutes later and Bandon took the lead, from their first penalty corner.
Alan Buttimer pushed the ball out to Sweetnam and he made no mistake as he found the bottom corner of the net to make it 1-0.
Just before half time Waterford went close again, this time O’Neill denying Allan Dale, following another short corner.
Bandon started the second half on the front foot and this time it was Waterford who were thankful to their keeper, Frantiser Suoboda, as he made two great saves from Fionn O’Leary.
At the other end Johnston went close again for Waterford before Bandon struck for the killer blow, with 62 minutes gone.
Mark Kingston got a touch from a ball into the circle, but the keeper thought he didn’t and left it. But the umpires awarded the goal which sealed the win for his side.
The women’s final saw cup holders UCC put their title on the line as they took on Harlequins. These two would have enjoyed many a battle in this competition over the years and this year was no exception.
In the end it was Harlequins who came out on top 3-2, thanks to a Joy Sampson hat-trick.
UCC took the lead when Jane Murphy set up Abi O’Mahony to score after 22 minutes.
Quins had been enjoying the better of the play to that point and it was no great surprise when they got back on level terms, with Sampson scored, after some good work by Anne O’Farrell.
Quins thought that had taken the lead on the stroke of half-time from a penalty corner, but the ball hadn’t gone outside the D and was disallowed to see it level at the break.
Just two minutes into the second-half and the college side were back in front when Robyn Murphy made the most of a defensive mix-up to score.
Again Quins hit back, with Emma Cripps setting up Sampson for her second, following a short corner.
Jenny McLaughlin went close for UCC before Sampson scored the winning goal in the 59th minute to see Quins run out worthy winners on the day.
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