Clinical Harlequins Get One Hand on Munster Title

On Sunday Harlequins men beat title rivals Bandon to put one hand on the Munster Division 1 title with one game to play. Quins started quickly and were ahead within five minutes when Andrew Dale finished a quick break. Bandon then got a foothold in the game and equalised through Ali Smith before the end of the first quarter. And Bandon almost took the lead before the half time break but for a smart save from Iarlaith O’Neill. After the break Julian Dale struck with a drag flick low to the keeper’s left to make 2-1 going into the final quarter. Bandon created a number of chances but Quins proved to have the cutting edge on the day as Julian Dale added a second through a penalty stroke and then Andrew Dale confirmed the win with minutes to go. Quins now play Waterford on the 6th of April knowing a win will guarantee the title.

On Saturday Quins defeated Waterford in the semi final of the Munster Senior Cup. They will play Bandon in the St Patrick’s Day final.

It was a tough weekend for Bandon as they also lost 4-2 to C of I in the EYHL 2 on Saturday. It puts C of I in pole position in pool A as the group stages start to heat up.

Three Rock Rovers climbed to the top of the EYHL 1 table beating title rivals Banbridge 4-2 on Saturday. Lisnagarvey kept pace with a good 2-0 win over Monkstown.

In women’s EYHL 1 Loreto continued their march to the title with a 4-2 win over Pembroke. Catholic Institute kept their top four dreams ahead with a bonus point draw against rivals Old Alex. UCC’s struggles continued as they went down by a single goal to second placed Railway Union.

In EYHL 2 Harlequins have an uphill battle now to make the playoffs after a 3-1 home defeat to Monkstown. Quins started brightly with Michelle Barry putting them ahead in the 9th minute. Monkstown took advantage of some lax defending to equalise in the second quarter. An end to end game was decided in the last ten minutes when Monkstown’s ruthlessness in front of goal proved to be the difference as they scored twice to win 3-1.

Results

Saturday 8th March

Men EYHL Division 1: Annadale 3 (BP) Corinthians 3; Avoca 2 YMCA 0; Lisnagarvey 2 Monkstown 0; Three Rock Rovers 4 Banbridge 2; University College Dublin 1 Pembroke Wanderers 2.

Men EYHL Division 2 – Pool A: Bandon 2 (C Kingston 2) Cork Church of Ireland 4 (G Cashman 2, I Balding, R Olden); Kilkenny 5 Railway Union 3.

Men EYHL Division 2 – Pool B: Clontarf 0 Portrane 3; Kilkeel 3 Instonians 4.

Munster Senior Cup S/F: Harlequins 4 (J Dale 2, B Roberts, C Buttimer) Waterford 3 (A O’Shea, B McInerney, I Johnson)

Women EYHL Division 1: Ards 2 Ulster Elks 3; Catholic Institute 0 (BP) Old Alexandra 0; Pegasus 2 University College Dublin 0; Pembroke Wanderers 2 Loreto 4; University College Cork 0 Railway Union 1.

Women EYHL Division 2 – Pool A: Cork Harlequins 1 (M Barry) Monkstown 3; Muckross 0 Portadown 5.

Women EYHL Division 2 – Pool B: Corinthians 1 University of Galway 0; Lurgan 0 Queens University 3.

Women Munster Division 1: Crescent 0 Catholic Institute B 1 (R Pratt).

Sunday 9th March

Men Munster Division 1: Bandon 1 (A Smith) Cork Harlequins 4 (J Dale 2, A Dale 2).

Women Munster Division 1: Bandon 2 (O Roycroft, A Barrett) Catholic Institute B 2 (L McGowan, E Mannion).