It was not pretty but Three Rock Rovers returned to the last eight of the Irish Senior Cup following a dramatic penalty stroke competition to oust reigning Ulster champions and 2009 finalists Cookstown at Grange Road. Peter Blakeney was the man to finally send Rovers through on a 7-6 stroke score-line, earning some redemption after his penalty in the first round of strokes had threatened to scupper his sides chances of progressing.
But Godfrey Irwin, who had enjoyed a fine game for the Co Tyrone visitors, missed for the second time in the competition to hand Rovers a place in the quarter-finals where they will play Lisnagarvey, again on home turf.
The drama of the strokes was a far cry from the lack of interest created in the preceding 85 minutes with one particularly cynical observer describing the final whistle as one of the day's highlights. Cookstown held the balance of play but chances were scarce. Ian Hutchinson struck the bar from a corner-switch while Stephen West pulled off two excellent blocks while Rovers had two calls for penalty strokes turned down.
Other than that, it was a scrappy affair punctuated by moments of quality while Rovers used one of the youngest benches around with Alan White, Tom Samuel, David McCrea, Shane Madeley and Ross Canning all members of the club's U-16 side who won the Benny Atkinson cup last March rotating in and out.
Cookstown's young tryo Ian Sloan also showed his trickery but ultimately the shoot-out was the game's main talking point as Rovers made up for last year's penalty exit at the hands of Glenanne.
Goals from Runar O'Moore - his third in four days - and Andy Ewington cancelled out Stuart Stevenson and William Kilpatrick strikes to end normal time at 2-2 but the experienced Groves was on hand to decide the day and a date with Kilkeel at Rathdown beckons on February 27.
Second round results:
TRR 0 Cookstown 0, TRR win 7-6 on penalty strokes; Raphoe 2 (Stuart Stevenson, William Kilpatrick) Monkstown 3 (Runar O'Moore, Andy Ewington, Brian Groves) aet golden goal
Quarter-final draw:
Banbridge vs Annadale; Monkstown vs Kilkeel, TRR vs Lisnagarvey; Glenanne vs Corinthian
* For more of Adrian Boehm's photos from TRR vs Cookstown, click here
18 comments:
Just because there were no goals in the game doesn't mean it was a poor encounter. I'm a Cookstown supporter who travelled down to support our mens team and to me it was an exciting game with a number of great scoring chances. Credit to the young TRR keeper who kept his team in the match, and also to the TRR supporters who were extremely friendly and welcoming!
I'd fancy TCD for colours this year. Heard UCD are without Tim Hill anf John McInroy!
UCD should win it at a canter, imo. findo reckons that UCD have only won the men's firsts game once or twice in colours so maybe the weight of history is against the yoinks.
good to see the young lads on the rovers side getting a good run out and performing well against quality opposition
colours always comes down to a number of factors. Trin need all their lads teams to win to do it, tough ask though. UCD usually dominate the womens end so a win or two for trin would change things but we'll see come tuesday. Cant wait
UCD won the men's first match 3 times in a row in the late 90's. The first one of those though, was the first in a long long time....
it would be 3 in a row were they to win on tuesday.
If trin had all students in the college who play for Div 1 Clubs they would easily beat UCD
"If trin had all students in the college who play for Div 1 Clubs they would easily beat UCD"
but they dont because nobody wants to play for trinity
The 'Mouse in the House' McFarlane to score a hat trick in colours tommorrow!
Does anyone know what time the Men's 1st's colours game is on tomorrow?
Men's 1st's game is at 330pm
Does anyone know what the problem is with the Ulster Blog at the moment?
I contacted their blog administrator yesterday and they are endeavouring to get it back online but it has been down for the last day or so.
The Ulster Blog and Branch have come to the conclusion that after their number 1 team, Cookstown, were unable to unhinge the Rovers under 16 team's defence in last weekend's encounter, they have announced, with immediate effect, that Ulster hockey is no more. The request is being put out to all those interested in a future in the sport, contact Leinster-based teams, where teams win trophies...
that comment 4:01pm is petty and stupid. Why bother knocking other provinces? We all know it goes in roundabouts and yeah leinster appear to be stronger at the moment club hockey wise but things always even out over time so whoever you are keep your childish comments to yourself.
Leinster supporter.
Leinster club hockey may be stronger but when it comes to the Interpros Ulster always cleans up.
"....after their number 1 team, Cookstown, were unable to unhinge the Rovers under 16 team's defence in last weekend's encounter, they have announced, with immediate effect, that Ulster hockey is no more...." So considering that Cookstown beat Glenanne on their own pitch I take it hockey in Glenanne is no more as well? Yes, the strength is in Leinster at the minute. And it may be for some time. However, even with Leinster dominance over the last number of years (4 to be precise, as I believe Instonians completed the double in 2004 and Lisnagarvey in 2005)it hasn't helped the Ireland team. The records show that a successful Ireland team is mostly made up of players from Ulster. Check out World Cup 1977 and 1990 and Europeans in 1987 and 1995. Lets see how Three Rock do against Lisnagarvey.
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