Judge delivers Celtic Cup verdict as Munster sides shine

Scotland struck a psychological blow to Ireland ahead of next month’s World Cup qualifier in Chile, as they defeated the girls in green 2-1 to claim the Celtic Cup for the fourth year in succession in Nice, France yesterday.

Sam Judge blasted home the winner eight minutes from time, after Lisa Jacob’s sublime deflection had cancelled out Ali Bell’s opener for the Scots.

Ireland required just a draw after defeating France 3-2 amid torrential rain that caused a stoppage of play for half an hour, thanks to Michelle Harvey’s drag-flick double.

C of I's Amy Kate Trevor goes high to get past the challenge of Quins' Yvonne O'Byrne. Picture: Ondine Roche

But they couldn’t finish the job against the Scots, who are seeded below Ireland next month. Irish coach Gene Muller must now hope his walking wounded, including skipper Eimear Cregan (ankle), Niamh Small (hamstring) and Audrey O’Flynn (hand), won’t face lengthy layoffs.

Domestically, Catholic Institute and Fermoy took the spoils on a fine weekend for Munster in national competition.

Goals from Rosie Pratt, Naomi Carroll and Elaine Bromell helped Institute notch a 3-2, Irish Trophy semi-final win at Portadown, and keep alive their hopes of bringing home a national trophy in their centenary year.

Galway’s Greenfields will provide the opposition in the decider, after their golden goal, 1-0 win at Wexford, where Institute will be keen to avenge a 2-1 loss to Ulster Elks in last year’s final.

Fermoy also raided Ulster in some style, as Ann Galvin and Natalie Keniry’s goals have the Division Three champs a 2-1 win at Raphoe in the last four of the Irish Challenge

The north Cork outfit also have unfinished business to attend to – they will face YMCA in the final for the second year running, having lost out to the Dubliners on strokes last season.

Cork Harlequins have moved top of the Munster women’s league on goal difference, but will be concerned that they dropped a point in a 1-1 draw with Cork C of I at Garryduff.

Leslie Ann Daunt took a pass in her stride before rifling home the opener on 10 minutes, only for C of I to draw level when Grace Young’s superb deflection went in off the post in the middle of the first half.

The battle of the Sineads, as Quins' McCarthy and C of I's Connery tussle for possession. Picture: Ondine Roche

However, what followed was a poor encounter; the usual dominance of Rachael Kohler and Karen Bateman in the attacking third was strangely missing, with C of I’s Sinead Connery dominating this area, but neither side possessed the quality to create many true openings.

The best of those fell to C of I’s Rebecca Sweetnam, who saw a hopeful cross come all the way to her all alone at the right of the circle, but she shot straight at Amy O’Neill and couldn’t get a good connection on the rebound.

Quins went on to rout Ashton 6-2 on Sunday, with Bateman lashing in a double while youngsters Acacia Taylor and Leanne Mullins were both on the scoresheet.

Five points from a possible six seems a reasonable return for a weekend’s work, but UCC will be the happiest side after the weekend’s games.

At this stage of the season, points dropped rather than those accrued is the vital statistic, and College have only left two points behind them thus far, compared to Quins (four), C of I (six) and Institute (seven).

However, the students also face the toughest run-in as the season reaches its crucial stage – they have yet to play Quins either home and away, and must travel to Rosbrien to face Institute.

Meanwhile, Bandon consolidated their top-flight status with a 5-0 thrashing of Waterford, who are not yet mathematically safe from the threat of the drop themselves, though UL must win at least two of their final three encounters to avoid finishing bottom of the pile.

To view the full set of Ondine Roche’s pictures from C of I vs Quins, click here