Hockey: 'We'll take a lot of confidence from that' - UCC off the mark in women’s EYHL 1

The college earned their first points of the season with two crucial bonus point wins.

Sofie Moloney on the ball for Harlequins in their win over Church of Ireland in their Munster Women's League Division One clash at Harlequin Park.

UCC off the mark in women’s EYHL 1 UCC had a stellar weekend in the Women’s EYHL Division 1, securing their first points of the season with two crucial bonus point wins in Ulster.

On Saturday, they faced a strong Ards side who opened the scoring in the first quarter.

UCC's Sarah Murphy equalised, but Ards retook the lead in the 51st minute through Amy Benson.

UCC's persistence paid off when captain Jane Murphy found the net with only two minutes left, forcing a shootout, which UCC won to claim the bonus point.

After the game captain Jane Murphy was delighted saying: “We needed to be focussed for long periods and take our opportunities when they came. I think we did that and we will take a lot of confidence from that.” Indeed that proved to be the case on Sunday, as yet again, they snatched a bonus point win after Michela Sanderson scored a 70th minute equaliser against Pegasus.

These results lift the students off the foot of the table for the first time this season.

Catholic Institute also had a mixed but productive weekend in the North.

A brace from Naomi Carroll on Saturday wasn't enough to secure a point in a 3-2 loss to Pegasus, but they bounced back on Sunday with a 2-1 win over Ards, keeping them in second place in the table. Loreto maintained their dominance at the top of the Women’s EYHL Division 1 with wins over Dublin rivals Old Alex and Railway Union, opening up a four point lead.

In the Men’s EYHL Division 1, Three Rock Rovers, Lisnagarvey and Banbridge all maintained their perfect records.

YMCA climbed to third with a thrilling 5-3 win over Monkstown, while the game of the day saw Pembroke Wanderers and Corinthians battle to an exciting 5-5 draw.

In Munster Men’s Division 1, Julian Dale shone once again, scoring five goals in Harlequins 6-0 victory over Waterford. Harlequins remain tied at the top of the table with Church of Ireland, who secured a 3-1 win over Catholic Institute in Limerick.

Quins women’s division one side welcomed Church of Ireland to Harlequin Park round four of the Munster Division 1 League.

The game got off to a quick start with Quins controlling a lot of the opening play through midfield. Cliodhna Sargent came close from a penalty corner, but CofI bravely defended the strike off the line.

Joy Sampson was unlucky not to convert a few minutes later, her deflection on another penalty corner rebounding off the goalpost.

In the second quarter CofI began to look more threatening with Sally Murray attacking aggressively up the left side of the pitch and causing some trouble for Quins.

They won their first penalty corner of the game but Julie Coynes strike was blocked down by a brave defensive run by Yvonne O’Byrne and cleared to safety.

Quins continued to threaten the CofI goal through the skillful play of Michelle Barry who broke the deadlock before half-time with a composed finish after carrying through the centre of the CofI defence.

Quarter three saw a series of penalty corners won by Quins but they were unable to convert despite Yvonne O’Byrne hitting the post and CofI taking another strike from Cliodhna Sargent off the line.

Alex Dale and Aoibhinn Martin were causing problems for CofI up front with Alex Dale unlucky not to score from close range after some clever play.

The final quarter got off the a quick start, with Quins pushing 2-0 ahead after two minutes.

A clever ball played through the CofI defenders by Anne O’Farrell found Michelle Barry in space inside the circle and she made no mistake in striking the ball past the CofI goalkeeper.

Again Quins failed to convert their penalty corners, the crossbar denying Joy Sampson’s final deflection on goal. The game finished 2-0.

RESULTS 

SATURDAY 

Men’s EYHL1: Banbridge 5, Avoca 0; Lisnagarvey 7, Annadale 1; Monkstown 3, YMCA 5; Pembroke Wanderers 5, Corinthians 5; UCD 2, Three Rock Rovers 4.

Men’s Munster Division 1: Catholic Institute 1 (S O’Donoghue), Church of Ireland (R Olden, I Balding, J Spillane); Waterford 0, Cork Harlequins 6 (J Dale 5, S Dale).

Women’s EYHL1: Ards 2, UCC 2 (S Murphy, J Murphy); Old Alex 1, Loreto 4; Pegasus 3, Catholic Institute 2 (N Carroll 2); Pembroke Wanderers 4, Ulster Elks 1; Railway Union 3, UCD 0.

Women’s Munster Division 1: Cork Harlequins 2 (M Barry 2), Church of Ireland 0.

Women’s Munster Division 1 Cup R1: Bandon 0, Crescent 0, (Bandon win on shootout).

SUNDAY 

Women’s EYHL1: Ards 1, Catholic Institute 2 (S Dervan, E Ryan); Loreto 2, Railway Union 0; Old Alex 3, Pembroke Wanderers 2; Pegasus 1, UCC 1 (M Sanderson); Ulster Elks 2, UCD 1.