Irish Club Championships 2002

Back row (l-r) Stephen O’Donovan, Philip O’Driscoll, John Hobbs, Sean Nicholson, Richard Gash, David Eakins, David Lombard, Paul Lombard, Mervyn Black (Chef de Mission), Wesley Bateman.
Front row (l-r) Hope Fisher (Physio), Brian Hayes Curtin, Mark Lombard, Donal Kingston (Manager), Morten Pedersen, Philip Chambers, John Aherne, Jason Black (Captain), David Egner, Edward Gash, Nigel Bryan, Stephen Jackson (Coach)

Jason Black - Captain - Cork Harlequins

Final Tables & Results

Mens Championship
	P	W	L	D	F	A	Pts
Cork Harlequins	3	2	0	1	6	3	7
Glenanne	3	2	1	0	7	5	6
Corinthians	3	0	1	2	4	5	2
Instonians	3	0	2	1	2	6	1
Goalkeeper of the Tournament - Wesley Bateman Player of the Tournament - Sean Nicholson

Ladies Championship
	P	W	L	D	F	A	Pts
Pegasus	3	3	0	0	12	3	9
Hermes	3	2	1	0	7	5	6
Cork Harlequins	3	1	2	0	8	10	3
Loreto	3	0	3	0	3	12	0

Sat 4th May
Hermes 3 - Loreto 0 (Ladies)
Glennane 2 - Corinthians 1 (Mens)
Instonians 0 - Cork Harlequins 1 (Mens) (h.t. 0 - 1)
[Scorer: J. Aherne]
Pegasus 5 - Cork Harlequins 1 (Ladies)

Sun 5th May
Instonians 2 - Corinthians 2 (Mens)
Pegasus 4 - Loreto 1 (Ladies)
Hermes 3 - Cork Harlequins 2 (Ladies)
Glenanne 2 - Cork Harlequins 4 (Mens) (h.t. 2 - 2)
[Scorers: E. Gash, R. Gash, J. Black, D. Lombard]

Mon 5th May
Loreto 2 - Cork Harlequins 5 (Ladies)
[Scorers: M Aherne, K O'Brien (3), R Kohler]
Cork Harlequins 1 - Corinthians 1 (Mens) (h.t. 0 - 1)
[Scorer: R. Gash]
Pegasus 3 - Hermes 1 (Ladies)
Instonians 0 - Glenanne 3 (Mens)

A Report by Donal Kingston

Cork Harlequins All Ireland Club Champions 2002. It is Harlequins (mens) first senior Irish trophy in the 77 year history of the club. Harlequins will represent Ireland in the Europe next season as a result of our tremendous victory last weekend. Harlequins became the first side from Munster to win the National Club Hockey Championship. Wesley Bateman was named as Goalkeeper of the Tournament, with Sean Nicholson winning Player of the Tournament. Congratulations to everyone concerned.

The successful panel: Wesley Bateman, John Hobbs, Philip Chambers, Sean Nicholson, Brian Hayes Curtin, Paul Lombard, John Aherne, Jason Black (capt.), David Eakins, David Lombard, Edward Gash, Richard Gash, David Egner, Nigel Bryan, Stephen Dale, Philip O'Driscoll, Mark Lombard, Stephen O'Donovan, Morten Pedersen.

Coach: Stephen Jackson Manager: Donal Kingston Physio: Hope Fisher

Instonians 0 Harlequins 1 (J. Aherne)

We won our opening game of the All Ireland Club Championships with a hard fought 1 nil victory over the Irish senior cup winners Instonians.

In what proved to be a very tight game Quins created the better scoring opportunities from play. Instonians were restricted to a few short corner situations. The Quins defence was very solid from the outset & the discipline of the team was first class. Our speed on the break caused a lot of concern for Instonians & they were never able to settle at the back.

The only goal of the game was scored on 18 minutes, when a reverse stick shot by John Aherne was deflected into the net by an Instonians defender. Eaks could have put us a couple ahead a few minutes later but failed to test the keeper.

Instonians pressed forward & were awarded a couple of short corners. Chris Barnes had both of his corners superbly saved by Wesley Bateman.

Into the second half & Instonians continued to press forward but could not find a way past an inspired Quins defence in which Philip Chambers, John Hobbs & Sean Nicholson were outstanding. David Lombard spurned an opportunity to put us 2 up, when his pushed shot was saved by the keeper. David Eakins relieved a lot of the pressure with some super overhead passes for our lively forward line.

An excellent start to the tournament & credit to the work rate & discipline of the whole team.

Glenanne 2 Harlequins 4 (E. Gash, R. Gash, J. Black, D.Lombard)

This was a truly wonderful hockey match play at a fast & furious pace. Both sides showed their intent from the outset & were prepared to attack whenever the opportunity presented itself.

Glenanne opened the scoring from a short corner rebound after 15 minutes. Quins responded magnificently with a goal from a short corner a few minutes later, when Edward Gash deflected John Ahernes pass beyond the keeper. 10 minutes later & Glenanne took the lead again from a powerfully flicked corner. Quins again attacked immediately & from a long corner John Hobbs worked his way along the end line & passed the ball to Richard Gash who deflected the ball high past the Glenanne keeper. Wesley Bateman made an incredible diving save high to his right from a powerfully hit reverse stick shot. A hectic first half came to an end with the sides tied at 2-2.

In the second half Quins continued to play with great confidence & took the lead for the first time in the 43rd minute. From another short corner David Eakins played the ball to Jason Black & he swept the ball home from close range. Glenanne pressed forward in number at this stage but couldn't find a way past the inspired Wesley Bateman. 12 minutes from time an Edward Gash pass from the end line found David Lombard & he gave the keeper no chance from close in.

2 wins from 2 & a point needed from the final game.

Harlequins 1 (R. Gash) Corinthian 1

Tension filled the air as Quins took to the pitch for their final game of the tournament.

Quins began with a very positive approach & created a number of good scoring chances in the first 20 minutes. However, The tension of the occasions seemed to make the players over anxious & the opportunities were spurned.

Corinthians were always dangerous in attack but for the most part the Quins defence remained very firm. Wesley Bateman made one tremendous save with his stick as the ball appeared destined for the bottom right hand corner. 4 minutes to half time & when the ball broke loose a Corinthian forward was on hand to hit the ball to the goal.

In the second half David Eakins moved to right back with Sean Nicholson moving to midfield. It proved an inspired switch. 5 minutes into the half a brilliant 50 yard overhead pass from David Eakins was collected by Sean Nicholson. He drove to the top of the circle & passed the ball to Richard Gash at the far post. His shot found its way to the goal via the goalkeepers helmet. Quins prevented Corinthians from having a shot on target for the entire second half. We created a few good chances ourselves but didn't make the most of them. The final couple of minutes were nerve wracking as Corinthian really pressed our possession. Final hooter - celebrations.

Cork Harlequins All Ireland Club Champions 2002
Report From the Irish Times

Cork Harlequins will represent Ireland in Europe next season as Irish Club Champions after a 1-1 draw with Corinthians yesterday secured their place on top of the table in the four-team, round-robbin finals.

It is the first time Harlequins have won a senior Irish trophy, one they deservingly earned over the course of the weekend. With strength running through the team, Harlequins initially went 1-0 down to the Dublin side when Miles Warren scooped in following a switch at their fourth short corner just two minutes from half time.

Corinthians, who pleasantly surprised a few with their high tempo, attacking hockey forced several sharp responses from goalkeeper Wesley Bateman in a first half which flowed brightly from end to end. Cork forward Eddie Gash also asked some stern questions of Corinthians Charlie Henderson in an evenly matched period. It was the second half that Harlequins stepped up; Richard Gash touching high over Henderson following a 50-yard over-head ball from David Eakins at right back.

Eakins relieving high balls from defence into space for running forwards were a feature throughout the second period. Captain Jason Black plugged left midfield and helped moving forward while Nicholson and Paul Lombard remained lively and dangerous throughout in attack.

Warren, Colin Stewart and James Benson typically worried the Harlequins goal, but the Cork side, aware that a draw was all they needed worked carefully for the result but were far from stifling the match. The result left them with two wins and a draw from the three matches, enough to send them out against the cream of Germany, Holland, England and Spain in Europe next spring.

With a year to strengthen their squad and work on a few aspects of their game, such as holding possession a little longer, they will look forward to a tournament which is likely to be staged under warmer conditions and played at a much higher tempo. Without doubt over the weekend, Harlequins were clearly the sharpest team on view. For the other three sides, Corinthians' open brand of play was eye catching and a success, while Glenanne's discipline let them down. Playing with 10 men (three yellow cards) for almost an entire half in their game against Harlequins on Sunday seemed tremendously self-defeating, while Instonians simply didn't fire. Irish Club Championship: Cork Harlequins 1 (Richard Gash), Corinthians 1 (M Warren); Glenanne 3 (J Goulding 2, D Shaw), Instonians 0.

Report by Edward Gash

May 4th saw the start of the Irish Club Championships finals, the competition that would give Cork Harlequins their first men's Irish senior trophy, and with it a berth in European competition. It has been 10 years since H'Quins men's last European adventure in Holland, and now we have a chance to try and emulate the terrific performance of the women's side in Vienna.

The Club Championships are held at the end of every season, the winners qualifying for the European Championships held in spring of the following year. Eight teams qualify for the quarterfinal stage - the first 2 teams in the Munster league together with the top 3 from the Leinster and the Ulster leagues. After a series of home and away ties this is reduced to 4, these then take part the finals. Harlequins women's 1st had overcome Pembroke 5-0 on aggregate in their quarterfinal. The men's side had beaten Lisnagarvey - Ulster champions - 3-2 to secure their place.

The teams in the women's competition could not have been stronger. H'Quins faced Hermes, Irish senior cup runners-up and Leinster champions, Pegasus, Ulster champions and Loreto, the Irish senior cup winners. The men's line-up surprised a few - it was the first time L'garvey were not present. Of the 4 teams only H'Quins had been in last years tournament. Glennane, Leinster champions, Instonians, Ulster runners up and Irish senior Cup winners, and Corinthians, 3rd in Leinster, took the other 3 places.Glennane and Instonians had both won this competition in recent years; it was Corinthian's first club championships.

This was the men's 3rd time qualifying for this stage; on the last two occasions we had let ourselves down. The first time we simply weren't prepared, and didn't realise how much energy 3 matches in 3 days would take. Last year, I felt we left we didn't perform as well as we could or should have. This tournament we were better prepared, hungrier and definitely on a roll. Since our trip to Cologne, at Easter, where we played 4 matches - under very similar conditions to the club championships - winning 3, we had played our best hockey of the season. The trip was seen as the start of 6 matches that would decide whether the season would be judged a success or failure. We hoped the momentum picked up on the trip would keep us going for the Munster senior cup and through into the club championships. Not only did we gain a lot of hockey knowledge on our trip, but we also saw how much Cork Harlequins meant to the members of the club. We began to realize how much we owed them some success for all their support, effort and time, put in over so many years. It's their work that allows us to play hockey; something we enjoy so much. The team became very focused after the Germany trip. Following success in the Munster senior cup, we had a lot of confidence going into the L'garvey matches. No team had every beaten L'garvey over two legs; we did. This allowed us to start thinking that this might just be our year. The reports after the L'garvey match – especially from the northern papers - said we were lucky to qualify. We weren't, we deserved to be there and we knew it.

We stayed in the Plaza hotel in Tallaght - away from the UCD complex where the matches were staged. This allowed us to get a break from the tournament. In a previous competition we had stayed across the road from the pitch, this meant the weekend was spent watching hockey matches, which was extremely energy sapping. The Plaza had been used as the base for all our Dublin matches this season, so everyone could settle in quickly. The presence of the women's side in the hotel greatly added to the sense of occasion and their support was immense throughout the weekend. It also provided the teams a chance to get to know each other - especially as both have had recent additions. Even if we hadn't won it would have been a very enjoyable weekend. The squad was the same as it had been for the 2nd L'garvey tie. Morton P. was still absent with a sore thumb!

The supreme effort put in by the management staff over the season was again evident over the weekend. Stephen drove 100's of miles over the weekend from his family holiday. Hope, our physio, who drove to and from Lisburn on the day she was leaving to go on holiday, returned and was back in action after only 3 hours sleep. Donal took more days off work - but apparently they didn't even notice!

Squad: Jason Black (capt), John Hobbs (v.capt), Wesley Bateman (GK), Nigel Bryan (GK), Sean Nicholson, Philip Chambers, Bryan Hayes-Curtin, Paul Lombard, John Ahern, David Eakins, Edward Gash, David Lombard, Richard Gash, David Egner, Philip O'Driscoll, Stephen Dale, Mark Lombard, Stephen O'Donovan. Coach Stephen Jackson, Manager Donal Kingston, Physio Hope Fisher.

Saturday 4th May

The first match was against Ulster side Instonians. Harlequins hadn't beaten Inst in at least 10 years. They lost to them in the Irish senior cup final in 1995, and again a few years later in the club championships. Inst had already got a place in the European Cup Winners Cup, by virtue of their success in this year's senior cup. It was Inst team boasting many full internationals; such as Paddy Brown and Mark Irwin.

John Ahern got the game's only goal after about 20 minutes of the first half. A cross from Brian Hayes-Curtin from the left was helped goalwards by a reverse stick shot from Johnta. The ball was ultimately sent over the line by an Inst defender. The top scorer in Ulster is the Instonians short corner specialist Chris Barnes, but everything he threw at Wesley, was saved. The defence had kept 2 clean sheets in the 3 matches before this and yet another ensured that we got the result in the first match we needed. This put a dent in Instonians chances, although the last time they won the tournament in 1998, they actually lost the first game 3-0. Our major concern after this game was an injury to Jason Black's knee and John Ahern's leg. Luckily our physio, Hope, flew back the following morning and set to work on Jason and John - without her care and expertise Jason would not have played in subsequent matches and we certainly would not be going to Europe next year. The other match finished 2-1 to Glenanne; Corinthian would have considered themselves unlucky not to get a draw, having many chances to get level.

The women's first opponents were the current champions Pegasus. Although the team played very well - competing all over the pitch and having their fair share of possession; they went in 3-0 down at half time. Despite having chances, H'Quins could only manage 1 Rachel Kohler goal in the 2nd half. The match finished 5-1; Pegasus scored 5 goals from their 6 chances and, ominously for the other teams, Pegasus' corners looked very sharp. The score was not a fair reflection on the game, and with a bit more sharpness in front of both goals, H'Quins could well have got some points. On the positive side, no one was hit in the head. In the other game Hermes, with many ex-munster players, had a winning start against Loreto.

Sunday 5th May

The second day saw the clash of Quins and Glenanne. Glenanne had knocked Quins out of the Irish senior cup 2 years in a row, and must have been feeling confident. Although we knew we should have won this year's tie, having been 3-0 up at half time, only to allow the match to finish 3-3. Glenanne were owed one. This was undoubtedly the match of the tournament. Glenanne led early in the first half, Quins whom had the better of the chances early on bought the scores level, when I finished off a short corner routine that had also yielded a goal in the Irish Senior Cup game. Glenanne responded with another strike to again give them the goal advantage; Richard touched home a John Hobbs cross from the right before half time to level things again. Wes had to make a blinding save to ensure that the scores stayed that way at the break. In the second half we stepped it up a gear and when Jason finished off another slick short corner routine we definitely had the upper hand. David "the gentleman ducks" Lombard got the 4th goal following a move that exactly followed one of our standard training drills. Glenanne's discipline left them down in the second half, with 3 players being sent off - with only 10 men thye were unable to initiate a fight-back. This victory meant that our fate was in our own hands. We needed only a draw in our match against Corinthian to guarantee victory in the tournament and a European place. We knew this wasn't going to be easy; Corinthian were one of the most attacking teams in the competition and were unlucky to have only 1 point out of their 2 games. So the scene was set, when we came back from Germany we said we were 6 games away from returning to the Continent for genuine European competition. 1 remained: Corinthians at 11:30 the following morning.

The women's side again played well. Elaine Bromell was welcomed back from wherever she thought she was, to start at center back. They were 2-0 up with only 20mins of their match against Hermes remaining. However they lost Rachel Kohler through injury, and consequently 3 goals. Elaine also came off injured - hit in the head again! This meant the final match in the women's tournament would be the decider. Pegasus required only a draw against Hermes to retain the title.

On Sunday night both teams had a combined meal in the hotel. Tired limbs and the prospect of an early start curtailed the clandestine visits of the previous nights. Even David Egner and Bryan Hayes-Curtin didn't spend all night playing hockey; allowing poor Aoife Falvey and Joyce sleep for a change. The women's tip off was scheduled for 9:30, necessitating a 5:45 wake up call; we had the luxury of a lie-in until 8:00.

Monday 6th May

Looking around the tables at breakfast on the final day, you could see not many had slept. I managed to get a bit of sleep, despite Nigel's ramblings from the land of nod. Judging by the bottles outside his door in the morning, Stoney took to Bulmers and Budweiser to try and get a bit kip – for the record he claims the bottles were 'planted'. Hope worked the magic on Jason and the line-up was unchanged from the previous day: Wes in goals, Seany at right back, Fishy and Porn in the middle, B at left back; Blacky, Johnta, with Plums on the right, in midfield; Ducks, Eaks and moi up front, Richard was due to make his early entry as per usual. There was a massive amount of H'Quins support at the pitch; and they were all in good voice as the women finally got value for their good play all weekend, and hammered Loreto 5-1, finishing 3rd behind Hermes and the eventual winners Pegasus. The support we have had all season has been amazing, the support from the likes of Mrs Lombard, Johnny Martin, Ken Dale; whom have followed us all over Ireland, and beyond, has been tremendous encouragement to us throughout the year. The support and guidance of Norman Deane, is something every single member of the team appreciates; his work for and dedication to Cork Harlequins is an inspiration. Mervyn and Judy Black, as well as conceiving and giving birth to our captain, have once again this year been so generous with their time, sponsored the team and organising and funding the great Cologne adventure. It was also great to see so many members from other sections of the club, giving us their support, including my little brother who was given the honour of holding the 'Johnta 3:16' sign.

The match itself didn't start as planned. After I missed a rake of chances (what's new), Corinthian snatched a break away goal to leave them 1 up at half time. The half-time talk centred around getting the players focused on what a great opportunity this was, and urging everyone not to let this chance slip. Stephen also made an important tactical change. Eaks was moved to right back and urged to use his amazing over-heads; Seany was moved to center forward, in order to counter their best player, the sweeper. This change proved decisive, from an Eaks overhead, Seany picked up the ball attacked the circle and laid on lovely through ball for Richard to glance home. At 1-1, we were through. We kept it tight, and holding onto possession of the ball enabled us to see out the rest of the game and achieve Cork Harlequins first Senior Men's Irish trophy. The joy was clear to see on everyone's face; much hugging went on. The result rendered the other game - the proposed final - pointless. I have no idea who won.

We had to wait around until late that day to collect the trophy, as well as the goalkeeper and player of the tournament prizes, which Wes and Sean deservedly won. All day we had time to reflect on the occasion, reflect on the fact that after 77 years in existence, Cork Harlequins Men's senior side had finally won a national competition. It was great to be part of and it was great to see so many others there to share the day; however, it was sobering to reflect on those who are no longer with us. There are so many friends that we miss very much.

Jason gave a great thank you speech and dedicated the victory to the memory of Barry Lane. I have many fond memories of Barry. Barry was one of my first captains when I started playing with Quins. As young lads of 14 or 15, we played on the 5ths, under Hammer's watchful eye. Many of the team playing last weekend would have started out in that young side. Barry as a captain always, always stood up for us, refusing to allow anyone bully or intimidate us. I am very grateful for the way he always supported me with his words of encouragement and kindness he showed to my family and I. He gave so much to us all, and expected nothing in return. Always putting others first, Barry thought us all what it meant to be part of a club and he showed us what it meant to be someone's friend. Barry had a special place in our thoughts this weekend, and he'll always have a special place in our hearts.

General Report

A great weekend of hockey ended with Cork Harlequins (Men) and Pegaus (Women) being crowned champions and will both go on to represent IRELAND at the European Club Championships in 2003.

In the first of the two mens game this morning Cork Harlequins got the draw they needed against Corinthians to win the tile for the first time.

The ladies was a closer affair with winner take all but it was Pegasus´s day as they went on to beat Hermes by 3-1. In the other ladies game of the day Cork Harlequins easily defeated Loreto by 5-2 to finish 3rd with Loreto 4th.