Harlequins edge nine-goal Munster thriller

Harlequins emerged victorious over Midleton thanks to a last-minute winner from Julian Dale.

Harlequins' Julian Dale in action. Picture: David Creedon

Storm Amy reduced the number of EY HL games across the country at the weekend, however there was plenty of action in the Munster senior leagues.

In a pulsating encounter in Munster Men’s Division 1, Harlequins emerged victorious over Midleton in a nine-goal thriller, thanks to a last-minute winner from Julian Dale.

The match burst into life early on, with Quins drawing first blood. A period of sustained pressure around the Midleton goal paid off when Andrew Dale pounced on a loose ball in the circle, setting up Ben Roberts to slot home the opener.

Midleton, however, were quick to respond. Just before the end of the first quarter, Matthew Carry delivered a pinpoint pass to an unmarked John Jeffery at the back post, who made no mistake in levelling the score.

The second quarter saw the momentum swing in Midleton’s favour. Brandon McEvoy surged through midfield and unleashed a thunderous reverse-stick strike to put his side ahead.

But Quins, showing resilience, hit back through Julian Dale, who found the backboard to restore parity.

Midleton weren’t done yet. Carry, already with an assist to his name, stepped up to convert a well-executed short corner, reclaiming the lead. But once again, Quins responded in kind. Dale rifled a drag flick into the bottom corner to make it 3-3 at the half time break.

The second half maintained the high-octane tempo. Dale completed his hat-trick in the third quarter with another powerful drag flick, nudging Quins ahead. Midleton, refusing to back down, equalised through Callum Holmes to make it 4-4.

But it was Dale’s day. The Quins forward struck once more, sealing the win and ensuring his side walked away with all three points.

In the other matches, Catholic Institute were held 3-3 by C of I B and Harlequins B downed Waterford 3-2.

In women’s Division 1, UCC continued their perfect start with an emphatic 9-0 win over Ashton. Crescent kept pace with them with a 2-0 win at home to Waterford. Harlequins bounced back from defeat last week to beat C of I 2-0 and Catholic Institute B won 3-1 at home to Bandon.

RESULTS 

Men’s EYHL Division 1: Monkstown 4, Corinthians 1.

Men’s Munster Division 1: Catholic Institute 3, Cork Church of Ireland B 3; Cork Harlequins B 3, Waterford 2; Midleton 4, Cork Harlequins 5.

Women’s EYHL Division 1: Queens University 5, Ulster Elks 2; Pembroke Wanderers 2, Catholic Institute 0; Railway Union 3, University College Dublin 1.

Women’s Munster Division 1: Ashton 0, University College Cork 9; Catholic Institute B 3, Bandon 1; Cork Church of Ireland 0, Cork Harlequins 2; Crescent 2, Waterford 0.