Cork C of I remember fallen star Chambers

CORK Church of Ireland came up short in their attempts to honour tragic former player/coach Andrew Chambers with an Irish Senior Cup win, going down 4-2 at home to Lisnagarvey.

The 31-year-old died on November 13 last year, collapsing suddenly on the pitch at Garryduff in Rochestown, Cork immediately prior to the club’s Irish Senior Cup clash with Kilkeel, and could not be revived.

C of I, who held a memorial match and a dedication to Andrew at their home pitch on Saturday following their ISC tie, went two down to ‘Garvey early on via Peter MacDonnell and Stevie Arbuthnot strikes.

Graham Bittle — playing his first senior game in seven years — notched the third before Andy Forrest grabbed another after the break. C of I’s late fightback, coming from a Philip Smith penalty stroke and short corner rebound, was ultimately in vain.

There was happier news for Cork Harlequins, who will have a chance to eke out revenge on Banbridge after they were drawn at home to the northerners — 4-0 winners in the sides’ recent Irish Hockey Leaguetussle — in the quarter-finals. Quins got there via another cliffhanger at Harlequin Park, Annadale the victims in a similar fashion to Instonians last weekend. David Lombard and John Hobbs had goals cancelled out by a double from ‘Dale’s Peter Caruth, but Mark Black crashed home the winner to send the Belfast outfit packing.

Bann edged out Cookstown 2-1 in the battle of Ireland’s EuroHockey League representatives, while 2008 and 2009 champions Pembroke Wanderers ended the interest of last year’s finalists Monkstown, prevailing on penalty strokes following a 2-2 stalemate.

Pembroke now face a trip to ‘Garvey in the tie of the last eight, with Railway Union, who stunned Three Rock Rovers 5-2, facing Glenanne, 3-1 victors over UCD. NICS and Instonians won all-Ulster ties with Belfast Harlequins and Mossleyrespectively and their clash completes the draw.

Meanwhile, Emma Russell produced the day’s enduring memory as she grabbed a golden goal winner for Old Alex against Hermes, the club she moved from during the summer, to earn an ESB Electric Ireland quarter-final date with Loreto, 3-1 winners at Belfast Harlequins.

They were among five Leinster sides to make it through as UCD enjoyed a 4-2 win at Catholic Institute.

Anna O’Flanagan’s eighth goal of the season and a first from Caroline Hill put them ahead on the half hour but Naomi Carroll led the Instafightback with a couple of counter-attack goals. But UCD finished strongly, Hill completing a great team move and Nicola Gray blasted home a trademark corner strike for the killer goal.

The draw paired the students with Pegasus for the second time this season with the Ulster side keen for revenge for an IHL defeat. They took their chances to dispose of Ballymoney at the Joey Dunlop centre as early strikes from Suzanne Beaney and Vanessa Surgeoner setting them on course for a 3-0 success.

Eanna Horan found a scoring touch for Dublin University as she netted from corners on the quarter and half hour against Corinthian while Lyndsey Watson responded in a 2-1 success for the students.

It sets up an inter-varsity quarter-final with Queen’s in Santry as Joanne Orr’s four goals powered them to a comfortable win over Portadown.

Railway complete the Leinster representation in the competition as they were too quick for Lurgan in the second half of their tie. Alex Speers nudged in two early goals but Natalie Barr netted a penalty stroke to give Lurgan some hope. The Park Avenue hosts, though, found second-half goals to run out 8-2 winners and now face Armagh, as the Orchard women netted seven without reply against Glenanne.

Domestically, it was a mixed weekend for UCC. Their women’s team fell to a shock 2-1 home defeat to Ashton, with Ciara O’Toole and the students’ Ali O’Regan canceling each other out before Kate Harvey found the top corner with a ripping drag-flick to win it in style.

UCC’s men cantered to a 7-0 win against Catholic Institute, highlighted by four Roger Gray strikes.