Institute Have Too Much for UCC in League Opener
Catholic Institute women got their EY Hockey League Division 1 underway with a convincing 3-0 win over newcomers UCC on Saturday. This was UCC’s first game back at this level in nearly a decade, while Institute have been competing at the top end of the table for a few seasons now. The first half was a cagey affair with the majority of the best chances falling to Institute but the scoreline remained 0-0. In the third quarter, Institute upped the tempo and were rewarded in the second minute when Irish international Naomi Carroll rifled home. Aoibheann Collins doubled the lead within minutes before Ciara Moloney put the game to bed with a well worked short corner at the end of quarter 3.
Speaking after the game Institute coach Eimear Cregan said she was “delighted to get off to a good start with a 3-0 win. UCC were a good side and were aggressive in their pressing. They have been well organised by their coach Darren.”
Cregan added – “ There is lots to work on going forward but we are pleased with the performance and to score 2 field goals and a PC in the opening game of the season with 3 different goal scorers is a great start.” Looking ahead, Institute will face Railway Union, who recorded a significant 4-0 victory over Pembroke Wanderers, while UCC is set to host Ulster Elks.
In women’s Munster Division 1, Bandon and Church of Ireland played out a 1-1 draw On Friday night and the points were shared in Ashton School too as Catholic Institute B took a point in a 2-2 draw with Ashton. The final game saw Waterford hold their own against defending champions Harlequins for long periods but Quins had too much for them winning out 4-1.
In men’s Munster Division 1 Bandon took an early lead over Church of Ireland with a well worked move finished by the evergreen David Smith at the back post. C of I soon settled into the game and their pressure told just before the half time break as Rob Olden scored from a short corner. The second half remained competitive, with both teams exchanging good chances, but it was the Church of Ireland that found the next breakthrough with a goal from Gearoid Cashman. Bandon pressed hard for an equaliser in the fourth quarter, creating multiple entries into the circle but failing to convert any chances. In the other fixture Catholic Institute snatched all three points from their trip to Waterford. Jack Stockil and Luca Novakovic on target for Institute while Ben McInerney kept his scoring run going with Waterford’s response.
Results
Men’s Munster Division 1: Bandon 1 (D Smith) Church of Ireland 2 (R Olden, G Cashman); Waterford 1 (B McInerney) Catholic Institute 2 (J Stockil, L Novakovic).
Women’s EY Hockey League 1: Catholic Institute 3 (N Carroll, C Moloney, A Collins) UCC 0; UCD 1 Old Alex 2; Railway Union 4 Pembroke Wanderers 0; Pegasus 2 Ards; Ulster Elks 0 Loreto 2.
Women’s Munster Division 1: Ashton 2 (K Toomey 2) Catholic Institute 2 (L McGowan, N O’Keeffe); Bandon 1 (M McCourt) Church of Ireland 1 (J Coyne); Harlequins 4 (M Barry 2, M Dullea, Y O’Byrne) Waterford 1 (J Barasich).
Boys Interpros: Munster u16 0 Ulster u16 3; Munster u18 1 Ulster u18 4.
