Harlequins Mens Hockey Match Report

Waterford (B) 1 - Harlequins (D) 3 (aet)

[1 - 1 after full time]

Barber Cup & Division 3A

7th April 2002

Scorers: M. O'Driscoll (2), A. Whitaker

The 4ths qualified for the Barber Cup Final with a hard fought victory over Waterford 2nds. As the squad assembled in Douglas things didn't appear to be going to plan. 3 players withdrew from the selected panel the morning of the game, so we headed to Waterford with 12 players. In very warm conditions the battle commenced. Quins defended strongly from the outset & the counter attacking policy was proving to be a very effective strategy. In one such counter attack after 20 minutes, Andrew O'Sullivan made a surging run down the left wing & found Mick O'Driscoll unmarked in the circle. Mick, composed to the last, deftly pushed the ball passed the advancing keeper for the opening goal. Waterford stepped up the pace of the game at this stage but Quins continued to defend strongly & created the better scoring opportunities.

Into the second half & Waterford equalised from a short corner rebound with 14 minutes remaining on the clock. Both sides had chances in the time that remain & Andrew O'Sullivan was unfortunate to see his shot go wide of the
post with a couple of minutes remaining on the clock.

Into extra time & Quins were dominating the play more & more. In spite of a number of short corners the goals failed to come. At the end of the first half the scores remained level. With Eoin Kennedy & Lee d'Alton causing all
kinds of problems for Waterford down the right Quins looked more & more likely to score the winner. 7 minutes from the end Eoin Kennedy went on a brilliant run down the right wing & found Andrew Whitaker who beat the
keeper from close range (as the captain said just before the goal "stay back Andy!"). 3 minutes from time & a superb cross from Niall Costigan was swept home by Mick O'Driscoll.