Harlequins Mens Hockey Match Report

Limerick (B) 2 - Harlequins (C) 10 [ten!]

Division 2

4th November 2001

Scorers: Luke Daunt 3, Richard Barrett 3, Niall Costigan, Stuart Egner, Blake Shine & the very late Clive Teap

Things didn't start very well as Clive Teap failed to show at the Opera House for the trip to Limerick. Having waited a half hour beyond the appointed time we decided to set sail. The team was short several regulars for a variety of unbelievable reasons, so a number seasoned campaigners were drafted into the panel on Saturday night. So off we headed to UL with a panel of 10 players!

Our next problem was getting Niall Kelleher reacquainted with the goalkeepers gear (he last played in goal in 1988!). After a very promising warm-up we entered the fray with great gusto! In spite of the fact that we were numerically challenged we dominated possession from the off. Niall Costigan was having the proverbial stormer in the middle of the park, spraying the ball in every direction.

The first goal was scored after 12 minutes from a short corner, which was switched from Eoghan Dempsey to Niall Costigan who swept the ball home with great aplomb from a very acute angle. We continued to dominate possession & moved the ball around superbly. About 25 minutes into the game Cive Teap ran onto the pitch! From where nobody knows! More goals followed & we were 4 up into the last minute of the half. (It should be mentioned that Niall pulled off a vital save when things were still very tight.) A bit of sloppy passing out of defence (from Stuart) allowed Limerick in for an easy goal in the last minute of the half. In the second half the goals continued to flow & both Luke & Dickie scored hat tricks.

Limerick scored in the second half when the umpire awarded a short corner following advise from Steve O'Donovan (thanks Steve!). The elder lemons of the team had a selection meeting in the Tower Bar on return from Limerick & as a result the following team has been selected for next week.......................