Harlequins Mens Hockey Match Report

Harlequins (B) 1 - 2 Banbridge (B)

Irish Junior Cup - Final

Saturday 02th April 2005

Scorers: Paul Dawson

When players and supporters recall this match in years to come, there will be still some disbelief as to how Quins didn't bring the cup back to Cork. Going in to game with confidence, it was felt that if we played to our potential, no Junior team in the country would be a match to us. This is how it turned out, except that we only played for the 2nd half and we came up against an inspired goalkeeper in the Banbridge goal.

It all started perfectly for us, when from our first corner in the 3rd minute, a a switched flick was deflected to the net by Paul Dawson. This should have been the signal for us to dominate the game, but instead it inspired Banbridge and seemed to affect us in the opposite way. In only 2 minutes, Banbridge were level after some sloppy defensive play. When the Banbridge player broke into the circle, his pushed cross somehow eluded the attackers, defenders and goalkeeper and ended up in the goal. Banbridge kept up the pressure after this and when they were awarded a close in free after 12 minutes, poor marking left a free man on the right hand side, who's cross was easily finished to the net at the back post by their left midfielder.

The half-time break was the signal for a change in the game pattern. Driven on by David Lombards man-of-the-match deserving display, Quins took over control of the game and searched for the equaliser. However, the Banbridge defence held firm. Their goalkeeper repelled most attempts and even when he was beaten, a defender was there to clear off the line. Banbridge threatened a few times on the break, but mostly it was all QUins. Even when Richard Leonard got sent off and we were reduced to 10 players, we were still the team in control and driving forward. But the chances came and went, both from play and from corners. The pressure was at its most intense with 6 minutes to go and Banbridge managed to repel 4 corners in quick succession. How the umpire didn't give a penalty stroke for a defender stopping the ball going into the goal with his chest and the goalie lying on the ground, only he will know. But Banbridge survived and still managed to defend 2 more corners before the end of the game.

The final hooter was greeted in disbelief by Harlequins and the many travelling supporters. Banbridge knew that they couldn't possibly have held out much longer, but their defense won them the cup on the day. Even they had the decency to admit that they were haunted to still be leading at the end. But, scoring is the name of the game and when you score from your first corner, and fail to score from 15 more, then you can only blame yourself. So, Harlequins lost their 3rd Irish cup final in 3 years by 1 goal. Hopefully the new pitch in Belfield will bring better fortune in the years to come. I think we deserve it!

Squad: C Daunt, C Harte, L d'Alton, R Hobbs, P Chambers, D Deady, G Todd, S Teap, P Dawson, K Deasy, P McLaughlin, R Leonard, I Bateman, P O'Driscoll, D Lombard, D Harte.
Coach: S Dale
Asst Coach: S Egner
Manager: D Kingston.