Harlequins Mens Hockey Match Report

Glenanne (A) 3 - Harlequins (A) 3

Glenanne won 3 -1 on Pens.

Irish Senior Cup

Saturday 9th March 2002

Scorers: E. Gash (2), R. Gash

Irish Times 11/03/02

Glenanne's determination to retain the Irish Senior Cup was driven home by their achievement in rallying from a 0-3 deficit to force Cork Harlequins into extra-time at 3-3 and then win the shoot-out (3-1) in the remaining quarter-final tie at Tallaght on Saturday.

Pembroke Wanderers, having surrendered the Leinster league title to their arch rivals, will not relish their semi-final visit to Glenanne Park on March 23rd, nor will Cork C of I be charmed at the prospect of a trek to Belfast to face Instonians.

Pembroke, who have the mixed blessing of tackling Glenanne in the Mills Cup final next weekend in the mother of all psychological rehearsals, know they have striking power but how can they again cope with the relentless grinding reprisals that left Harlequins in despair?

The livewire Eddie Gash had put Harlequins two up after 11 minutes and when Richie Gash got a touch to a half-hit David Eakins drag flick to supplement the lead, it seemed that the holders were facing elimination.

There were further grounds for Cork optimism in that John Ahern and Jason Black were squaring up effectively to Stephen Butler and Graham Shaw, but with Ahern having to retire early in the second half, the home side could no longer be contained as Alan Browne turned on full pressure. Shaw snapped up two set-piece opportunities and the indomitable Butler sank the equaliser.

Although there was a Harlequins revival towards the finish and also in extra-time, Ian Clarke proved a valuable figure in the Glenanne goal, all the more so in the shoot-put as he kept out the first three Harlequins strokes. Wesley Bateman had defiantly denied Butler of an opener but then Joe Brennan confidently steadied Glenanne's nerves from the spot.