Hockey: Johnson hits four for Three Rock

It was a tough weekend for Church of Ireland.

Harlequins Michelle Barry in possession as she takes on the Catholic Institute defence during their Munster Women's Division One clash at Harlequin Park.

Munster man and Irish international Ben Johnson was in devastating form on Saturday, scoring four goals in Three Rock Rovers 7-1 win over Church of Ireland.

It was a tough weekend for C of I, who dropped to ninth in the table as fellow strugglers Avoca picked up a valuable three points with a 3-2 away win over Cookstown.

A Johnny McKee brace helped Banbridge return to the top of the table with a thrilling 5-3 win away to Corinthians, while Lisnagarvey kept pace by defeating early pace-setters Pembroke Wanderers.

In the women’s top division, Loreto continued their flawless start with a commanding 5-0 win over Dublin rivals Pembroke Wanderers.

The result puts them top on goal difference ahead of Railway Union, who edged QUB 1-0 thanks to a first-half strike from Sarah Patton — with Loreto still holding a game in hand. Catholic Institute’s struggles continued with a sixth defeat, this time against UCD, leaving them adrift at the bottom as Old Alex earned a point in a 2-2 draw with Ulster Elks.

In Men’s Munster Division 1, Harlequins once again leaned on the scoring power of Julian Dale to secure a 2-1 win, maintaining their perfect start as they target promotion to EYHL Division 1 next season.

In the Women’s Munster Division 1, C of I and Ashton played out a 1-1 draw in rain-swept Garryduff.

Ashton started stronger but were denied several times by C of I goalkeeper Laurna McHugh at short corners. It was C of I who opened the scoring just before halftime from a set piece, before Ashton’s Sadhbh O’Shea levelled in the third quarter.

Cork Harlequins claimed a well-earned win over a determined Catholic Institute B side in difficult conditions at Harlequin Park.

Goals from Michelle Barry, Alex Dale, and Nikki Barry, supported by strong defensive work from Joy O'Kelly, sealed the result.

UCC kept their title challenge on track with a 4-2 win over second-placed Crescent, thanks to goals from Robyn Murphy, Aine Power, Micaela Sanderson, and Emma O’Sullivan.

The result puts them three points clear of both Crescent and Harlequins in what is shaping up to be a three-horse race for the title.

RESULTS 

Men’s EY IHL 1: Monkstown 4, YMCA 2; Three Rock Rovers 7, C of I 1; Corinthians 3, Banbridge 5; Pembroke Wanderers 2, Lisnagarvey 3; Cookstown 2, Avoca 3.

Women’s EY IHL 1: UCD 3, Catholic Institute 0; Old Alex 2, Ulster Elks 2; Railway Union 1, QUB 0; Pembroke Wanderers 0, Loreto 5; Portadown 0, Pegasus 2.

Men’s Munster Division 1: Waterford 1, Harlequins 2.

Women’s Munster Division 1: C of I 1, Ashton 1; Harlequins 3, Catholic Institute B 0; Crescent 2, UCC 4; Waterford 3, Bandon 2.