Church of Ireland and Waterford to meet in Peard Cup final
Sarah Hawkshaw scored for Railway in their 1-0 win over Catholic Institute in the Women’s EYHL 1.
Harlequins and Church of Ireland played out yet another thrilling encounter at Farmer’s Cross on Saturday.
With two draws in the league already, there was no doubt this was going to be another close encounter and indeed this proved to be the case. Ian Balding’s drag flick in the first quarter proved to be the only thing separating the teams.
In the other semi-final Waterford edged Catholic Institute on a shootout after the game finished 2-2 after normal time. The final will take place on St Stephen’s Day at Garryduff.
In the men’s EYHL 1, the top three teams all won. Lisnagarvey were comfortable 7-0 winners over Avoca, Banbridge beat Annadale 6-2, while Three Rock Rovers won a thrilling encounter with Pembroke Wanderers 5-4.
In women’s EYHL 1 Loreto extended their lead in the table to six points as the chasing pack faltered. They were pushed all the way by UCD but came out with a 3-2 win.
Ards beat second placed Old Alex while Catholic Institute lost 1-0 to Railway Union.
Institute had started the brighter in that game but failed to convert two early corners.
Railway took their chance just before the first break as Irish International Sarah Hawkshaw converted from their first short corner. Quarter 2 and 3 proved to be cagey affairs with both defences coming out on top.
The final quarter was very free flowing but Institute couldn't create any clear cut chances leaving Railway to take the spoils.
UCC’s woes continued as they conceded two quick goals having drawn level with Ulster Elks in the third quarter. Elks sealed the win in the final minute to win 4-1 and lift them to 5th in the table. UCC now sit 5 points adrift at the bottom and know they will need to kick on in the coming game weeks.
In women’s Munster Division 1 Harlequins beat Waterford 2-0 in the top of the table clash to open a 9 point gap over them in second place.
Quins got off to a strong start with plenty of possession however it wasn’t until the second quarter they made it count. A snapshot from Joy Sampson was saved well by the keeper but Alex Dale was quickest to react to convert.
Waterford continued to frustrate Quins and looked dangerous on the break. It wasn’t until the final quarter Quins sealed the three points with a well worked short corner scored by Anne O’Farrell.
In the other games, a brace from Nicola Kerr lifted C of I off the bottom of the table with a 4-2 win over Bandon, while Ashton missed their chance to close the gap on second place as they lost 1-0 to Catholic Institute B.
RESULTS
Men’s EYHL 1: Lisnagarvey 7, Avoca 0; Three Rock Rovers 5, Pembroke Wanderers 4; University College Dublin 0, Monkstown 4; YMCA 3 Corinthians 2; Annadale 2, Banbridge 6.
Men’s Peard Cup 1/2 Finals: Catholic Institute 2 (N Lampp, W O’Leary), Waterford 2 (T Musgrave) (Waterford win 5-4 on shootout); Harlequins 0, Church of Ireland 1 (I Balding).
Women’s EYHL 1: Ards 2, Old Alex 0; Pegasus 0 (BP), Pembroke Wanderers 0; Railway Union 1, Catholic Institute 0; Ulster Elks 4, University College Cork 1 (S Murphy); University College Dublin 2, Loreto 3.
Women’s Munster Division 1: Waterford 0, Harlequins 2 (A O’Farrell, A Dale); Church of Ireland 4 (N Kerr 2, C Dring, C Comerford), Bandon 2 (V Burns, G Deecke); Catholic Institute B 1 (R Somers), Ashton 0.
