Harlequins Mens Hockey Match Report

Harlequins (A) 2 - C of I (A) 2 [aet]

J. Black, D. Eakins

C of I win 5-3 on pens

Mens Munster Senior Cup

Wednesday 17th March 2004

By Bill George - Irish Examiner

CORK Church of Ireland won a dramatic Dawson Travel Munster Senior Hockey Cup final, denying their great rivals, Harlequins, a fourth win in-a-row at Harlequins' Park yesterday.

Interestingly, their win recalled a similar finish to last season's Munster League, when C of I again outscored Harlequins on penalties in the decider.

C of I countered Harlequins' greater experience with a very mature appreciation of what was needed to prevail.

They were impressively balanced in defence, consistently alert and resourceful when danger threatened and confident when coping with the tension of the shoot-out. Indeed, it was a victory for youth, good organisation and patience.

Harlequins, who are Irish Senior Cup finalists for the second consecutive season, were unable to impact upon C of I's sense of security. The upbeat demeanour of C of I's five penalty takers in the shoot-out illustrated that. All five scored with a degree of élan against no less an opponent than the formidable Wesley Bateman. John Jermyn, Ken Twomey, Karl Burns and Philip Smith converted and with Harlequins trailing after the second, the result rested on Adam Pritchard's shoulders.

Pritchard, a member of Ireland's U16 team last season, converted with style and authority to upset the favourites and set the scene for an attractive return on Saturday in a critical League match.

This match was far from a classic. Scoring opportunities were too few and far between. It was significant that all four goals, prior to the penalties, came from penalty corners.

Harlequins led from the 33rd minute through Jason Black. John Jermyn fired home the equaliser after 49 minutes and Karl Burns first raised the prospect of a surprise when he scored in the 54th minute. David Eakins wiped out the lead with a trademark strike ten minutes from full-time.

Harlequins had the better scoring chances in extra-time, but ran up against goalkeeper Mark Ruddle in defiant mood. The speed with which both teams pulled 10 and 11 players behind the ball had much to do with the shortage of scoring chances and there was nothing between the teams.

The exercise was a timely wake-up call for Harlequins ahead of their Irish Cup final appointment with Instonians. C of I's defence coped comfortably with Andy Herbert setting the standard and their success pointed to the need for Harlequins to offer more support for their isolated strikers.

C OF I: M. Ruddle; K. Burns, A. Herbert, A. Chambers, P. Smith, T. Dunne, N. Buttimer, K. Twomey, R. Arnopp, D. Hobbs, J. Jermyn, J. Bruton, A. Moffat, S. Parker, A. Pritchard.

HARLEQUINS: W. Bateman; S. Nicholson, J. Hobbs, P. Chambers, J. Black, P. Lombard, J. Aherne, M. Black, D. Egner, D. Eakins, D. Lombard, E. Gash, L. d'Alton, P. O'Driscoll, C. Harte, C. Daunt.

Umpires: D. Shine & G. Quail.