News

UCC Hockey News

A memorable day in Garryduff Sports Centre on Saint Patrick's Day for UCC Hockey Club.

The headline event saw UCC take on Cork Harlequins in the Munster Senior Cup final. UCC made the brighter start, opening the scoring early through captain Lauren Cripps after excellent work down the left from Micaela Sanderson. Lauren doubled the lead in Q2 with a superb reverse-stick finish from play.

UCC pushed on in the second half, with Sanderson getting on the scoresheet in Q3, followed by a goal from Quins to keep them in touch. Nicole Clarke added a fourth for UCC in Q3 maintaining control into Q4. Ella Lehane then produced a brilliant individual effort down the left, finishing her own move to make it five and effectively seal the win. Late goals from Joy Sampson and a controversial third for Quins proved too little, too late.

The victory secured a historic league and cup double—adding the Munster Senior League title to the cup—only the second time in the club’s history this has been achieved, last done in the 1993/94 season.

There was further success for UCC on the day, as the Division 3A side claimed the Combined Division 3/4 Cup Final title against Bandon Hockey Club. Despite creating numerous chances, they were held to 0–0 at full time thanks to resilient Bandon defending. In the shootout, UCC held their nerve to win 2–1 and lift the trophy.

Last Saturday, the Division 2 side progressed to the semi-finals of the Examiner Cup with an impressive 3–0 win over Blackrock, and now await their next opponents.

The Division 1 team also impressed in the EYHL Division 2, securing a strong 4–1 away win against Trinity. With Ards Hockey Club currently leading on goal difference, and UCC alongside Monkstown and Avoca all tightly grouped, the run-in to the end of the season promises to be interesting.

Fixtures

Saturday

1030am UCC Div 7 v Clonmel Munster Div 7 Cup Semi final

12.30pm Munster Div 3 Cup Ashton v UCC 3A

1pm UCC v CIAC Div 1 Munster League

Sunday

3.15pm UCC v Midleton, McClean Cup

Captions:

1. picture Div 3 side

2. Munster Senior Cup Champions

3. picture of 1993/94 team