O’Neill’s Double Penalty Save Secures Quins First Win in EYHL 2

A point separates Banbridge and Three Rock Rovers at the top of men’s EYHL 1. Ban didn’t have it all their way away to Avoca but eventually pulled through to win 4-2. Three Rock had a more routine 5-0 win over UCD. Monkstown closed the gap on fourth placed YMCA with a 2-0 win against them.

In men’s EYHL 2 a duo of Julian Dale drag flicks was enough to take the points against Clontarf in a 2-1 win. However they have goalkeeper Iarlaith O’Neill to thank as he saved 2 penalty strokes to keep them in the tie early on.

C of I men conceded in the final seconds of the game away to Railway Union to draw 1-1. A Rob Olden drag flick had given C of I the lead at the end of the third quarter.

It was a fruitful double weekend for Bandon men. A brace from captain Fionn O’Leary set them on their way to a 3-1 win away to Waterford to put them a point clear at the top of Munster Division 1. On Sunday they followed it up with a thrilling 3-2 win over C of I in the Munster Senior Cup semi final. Despite going behind twice, they fought back twice and Mark Kingston got the winner with seconds remaining, when he reacted fastest when Sean Bateman had saved well from another Colin Kingston drag flick. They will play either Harlequins or Waterford in the final.

In women’s EYHL 1 Loreto and Railway Union both had 2-0 wins over Pegasus and Ards respectively as they remain the top 2 in the table. Ulster Elks moved to third with a 2-1 win over Catholic Institute. Meanwhile a late equaliser from Emma O’Sullivan gave UCC a point away to Old Alex to close the gap to 9th to six points.
Harlequins women took the points in Galway with a 2-0 win over Greenfields in EYHL 2. Despite a dominant first half Quins failed to convert their chances. However they didn’t have to wait long – two minutes into the second half, a Clíodhna Sargent pass was deflected by Alex Dale over the head of the Greenfields keeper and into the roof of the net. Quins continued to push forward and half way through the final quarter a short corner deflection from Michelle Barry was finished by Anne O’Farrell to secure the points.

Ashton women got off to a strong start against Corinthians putting Leinster’s league leaders under pressure. Despite this, Corinthians struck first with a smart finish. Ashton responded a minute later from a short corner, which was deflected home by Emily O’Leary. Corinthians responded strongly with 2 quick fire goals either side of half time. Ashton continued to pile on the pressure and converted through Kate Harvey on the stroke of 3/4 time. The final quarter was end to end but Corinthians managed to hold on to win 3-2.

Results
Saturday 8th of February
Men’s EYHL Division 1: Three Rock Rovers 5 University College Dublin 0; Avoca 2 Banbridge 4; Corinthians 1 Pembroke Wanderers 2; YMCA 0 Monkstown 2.
Men’s EYHL Division 2 – Pool A: Railway Union 1 Church of Ireland 1 (R Olden); Cookstown 12 Kilkenny 1
Men’s EYHL Division 2 – Pool B: Portrane 3 Instonians 1; Cork Harlequins 2 (J Dale 2) Clontarf 1.
Men’s Munster Division 1: Waterford 1 (A O’Shea) Bandon 3 (F O’Leary 2, K Smith)
Women’s EYHL Division 1: University College Dublin 1 (BP) Pembroke Wanderers 1; Ulster Elks 2 Catholic Institute (R Begley); Old Alexandra 1 (BP) University College Cork 1 (E O’Sullivan); Loreto 2 Pegasus 0; Railway Union 2 Ards 0.
Women’s EYHL Division 2 – Pool A: Greenfields 0 Cork Harlequins 2 (A Dale, A O’Farrell); Portadown 2 Monkstown 0.
Women’s EYHL Division 2 – Pool B: University of Galway 0 Lurgan 4; Ashton 2 (E O’Leary, K Harvey) Corinthians 3.
Women’s Munster Division 1: Catholic Institute B 2 (R Pratt, H O’Byrne) Bandon 1.
Women’s Munster Division 1 Cup – Semi-finals: Cork Church of Ireland 3 (C Dring 2, J Barry) Waterford 1 (K Maher)
Sunday 9th of February
Men’s Munster Senior Cup – Semi-final: Bandon 3 (M Kingston 2, C Kingston) Cork Church of Ireland 2 (I Balding, J Spillane).