Catholic Institute’s unbeaten reign comes to an end | Annette Gilroy

It has been an incredible fortnight of hockey for UCC’s Senior Ladies hockey team with two major wins under their belt.Last Saturday was a day for the history books as UCC faced old rivals Catholic Institute in Rosbrien, Limerick. Before this Munster Senior League Division 1 game, Institute hadn’t been beaten in Munster in over 3 years.Institute lived up to their name as the toughest and most physical team in Munster from the start and won a short corner within the first 15 seconds of the game. Former Irish International Eimear Cregan tried from close range but a combination of saves from UCC keeper Emma White kept the home side at bay.College settled quickly and began attacking and creating real chances at the other end. This good work was rewarded when Irish Youth Olympian, Antonia McGrath gave College the lead in the first 10 minutes after a well worked short corner.UCC went a player down when captain, Áine Curran saw green and was sent to the sin bin for a series of distance offences. Institute upped the pace of the game immediately were on the attack once more as Naomi Carroll’s shot was deflected wide by UCC’s keeper. Then Emily O’Leary put College 2-0 up after her shot from a tight angle squeezed past the Institute keeper.An injury stoppage proved vital for College in regaining focus and Irish under-21 player, Olivia Roycroft put College 3-0 ahead before the break as Institute continued to win short corners.The second half proved vital for UCC as Institute continued to look for a way back into the game. College came close to getting a fourth goal but just couldn’t get the right touch at the right time.Superb performances around the pitch, from players like Kate Murphy, Nicola Kerr and Emily Reidy to name but a few, proved to be the deciding factor for college against the tough Limerick side.The final 10 minutes of the game proved to be the toughest as Institute won 9 short corners but failed to convert a single one.In the end College proved too strong for Institute, who’s physicality and skill proved a very tough obstacle for the College side. Individual battles around the pitch proved crucial in College’s win over the 3 in a row Munster Senior League Champions. College are now tied first once again, with Institute and Harlequins, at the top of the Division 1 table.     A week previous, the firsts hosted Trinity College in the second round of the Irish Senior Cup. College hammered TCD 6-0 less than a month ago at Intervarsities but this time round TCD proved to be a much tougher side. Early pressure from Trinity was eased after Irish Senior International Miriam Crowley opened the scoring. Kate Humphreys added a second which saw college cruising going into half time.Trinity fought hard early in the second half and a combination of quick saves from UCC goalkeeper Sarah Wrixon kept the Dublin side at bay. However confusion in the back line from a free out saw Trinity get their first and only goal of the game through Kylie Deverell.Áine Curran netted UCC’s third goal after smashing a bouncing ball past the goalkeeper’s near post. Trinity fought to the end but were unable to breach the College defence. UCC now go on to the quarter finals where they will welcome either Ards or Ulster Elks to the Mardyke.UCC: Emma White, Sarah Wrixon, Nicola Kerr, Sarah Browner, Aisling O’Leary, Steffi Bowe, Antonia McGrath, Olivia Roycroft, Kate Humphreys, Áine Curran (capt.), Amy-Kate Trevor, Emily O’Leary, Kate Murphy, Emily Reidy, Sarah Sullivan, Rachel O’Hanlon, Miriam Crowley. Coach: Paudi Hartnett.