Mills Cup: Three Rock Rovers 1 Monkstown 2

Three Rock Rovers 1 (Lucas Piccioli) Monkstown 2 (Zac Dutton, Ian Horsfield)

Monkstown booked a place in the Mills Cup semi-finals showing good value for their 2-1 win over Three Rock Rovers last night at Grange Road.

Gareth Watkins and Ian Allen went close in the early stages before Zac Dutton netted a drag-flick from their second corner. Lucas Piccioli levelled in the second half, exchanging a one-two to round David Fitzgerald after Andy McConnell pinched the ball off Filip Jaros.

But Ian Horsfield ended up being the hero, both winning and converting the Town's third corner - bucking their regular trend with a 66pc success rate from set-pieces . Rovers had a late chance from their first corner but Fitzgerald pulled off an excellent double save whilst Alan Bothwell was sin-binned for deliberately taking the ball down from over shoulder-height.

Brian Mellon, meanwhile, made his first-team comeback for Rovers at right-back after his travels.

Men's Division One: Pembroke 7 UCD 0

Pembroke 7 (Alan Sothern 2, Michael O'Connor 2, Gordon Elliott, Maurice Elliott, Alan Giles) UCD 0

Pembroke eased back to the top of division one with a facile win over bottom-placed UCD. Alan Sothern bagged another brace while both the Elliott brothers were on target.

Top scorer for the evening, though, was Michael O'Connor who netted twice in the firsts game before sticking around to fire four drag-flicks in for the seconds to make it six goals in just a couple of hours against his former club - those coming in another 7-0 win.

UCD stay bottom of division one and ninth in division three.

Corinthian re-instated

Corinthian last night had their appeal to the Leinster Branch Management Committee against their expulsion from the Mills Cup upheld and have therefore been re-instated in the competition.

The club were initially thrown out of the competition due to a registration issue during their 7-1 win over Dublin University but are now in the clear to play Glenanne at the quarter-final stage.

No date has, as yet, been set for the next round.

Annadale and Cookstown to replay full match

In a statement issued this afternoon, the IHL Administration Committee upheld the original decision, made on December 1, 2008, to rearrange the fixture between Cookstown and Annadale in its entirety.

The IHL match between the sides was originally abandoned after the umpires declared the Coolnafranky pitch unsafe to continue, with Annadale leading 4-1 at the time.

IHL organisers subsequently ordered the game to replayed in its entirety. Annadale appealed the decision, with the IHL Appeals Commission receiving both written and oral submissions from representatives of the IHL Administration Committee and Annadale HC on December 22, 2008.

As a result the Administration Commission reached the decision to uphold the original decision, based on the following points:

- Both team Managers signed the Match Report Form on November 29, 2008 accepting the match had been abandoned.

- The IHL Committee did not refer to the match being "interrupted" as defined in Guideline 2.1 of the IHL notes. However the intent was to address the matter based on the Match Report Form received, which indicated “match abandoned".

- The interpretation of Guideline 2.1 by the Appeal Commission is that rearrangement, when impossible to resume on the same day, indicates the match be rescheduled in its entirety.

IHT and IJC draws announced

Genesis reward for their away-day win over Ballymena on penalty strokes sees them on the road once more in March as they travel to Limerick for the semi-finals of the Irish Hockey Trophy, courtesy of this morning's draw.

In the men's Junior Cup, no Leinster team need leave the province after Pembroke II drew division three table-toppers Corinthian II at Serpentine Avenue. Corinthian have the edge on form, having beaten the 'Broke earlier this term 5-3 but the holders showed thair true capacity with Saturday's massive win over Railway Union.

YMCA host Monkstown while Glenanne's reward, should they defeat Bangor, would be another game at St Mark's - this time against the impressive Cork C of I. It guarantees Leinster two semi-final places with Ulster assured on one as Cookstown face Raphoe in the other quarter-final.

A mirror opposite situation occurs on the women's side of the Junior Cup with Hermes and Old Alex forced to travel to Cork Harlequins and Galway respectively. The winner of the rearranged Loreto and Trinity tie must go to Cork C of I while Railway's seconds are the only Leinster team with a potential home tie but must still negotiate a trip to the Mardyke to face UCC.

ESB Irish Hockey Trophy: Semi Finals (Saturday, March 7)
Ulster Elks v Cookstown; Catholic Institute v Genesis

Men's Irish Hockey Trophy: Semi Finals (Saturday, March 7)
North Down v Catholic Institute; NICS v Antrim

ESB Irish Junior Cup: Round 3(Saturday, February 28)
Cork HQ II v Hermes II; Cork C of I II v Loreto II/ Dublin Uni II; UCC II/Railway II v Armagh II; Galway II v Old Alex II

Men's Irish Junior Cup: Round 3(Saturday, February 28)
Pembroke W II v Corinthian II; Glenanne/Bangor II v Cork C of I II; YMCA II v Monkstown II; Cookstown II v Raphoe II

Ireland 1 Canada 2

Ireland 1 (Cathy McKean) Canada 2 (Cailie O'Hara, Abigail Raye)

Ireland lost their final match in the series against Canada at the Belfield this afternoon despite once again holding the majority of possession and chances.

They began strongly, forcing two corners in the first three minutes but failed to convert either chance. Megan Frazer flashed wide soon after as the Irish continued to dominate.

Nikki Symmons drag flick from their third corner went just wide of the post before Cathy McKean broke the deadlock in the 27th minute - the skipper for the day getting a typically opportunist goal.

The lead did not last long though as the Canucks profited from sloppy defending a minute later for Caillie O'Hara to put Canada on level terms.

The second half followed a similar pattern, Ireland going close but failing to take advantage. Symmons flicked wide from a 38th minute corner but it was Canada who showed the cutting edge, Abigail Raye netting their second corner with 12 minutes to go.

Canada's Natalie Wise was yellow carded soon after but try as Ireland might, they could not force an equaliser.

Speaking after the game, Gene Muller said: "We simply made too many errors and did not complete our good phases and movement. We only conceded a handful of chances but were let down by a lack of focus and concentration"

Ireland: Louisa Healy (GK), Emma Clarke, Bridget McKeever, Shirley McCay, Cathy McKean, Alex Speers, Ciara O'Brien, Nikki Symmons, Jenny McDonough, Megan Frazer, Michelle Harvey.

Subs: Cliodhna Sargent, Roisin Flinn, Lisa Jacob, Niamh Small, Mary Goode (GK)

* For more of Adrian Boehm's pictures, click here

Mills Cup Results

Quarter-final: Avoca 1 (Stephen Brownlow) YMCA 9 (Mikey Fry 2, Jacob Webber 2, Andy Walker 2, Warwick Armstrong 2, Keith Benson)

YM reached their second semi-final of the season with a comprehensive mauling of division two's Avoca, continuing their impressive form since the turn of the year. Mikey Fry was in fine fettle, being at the centre of a lot of their good work, helping to build a 6-0 half-time advantage.

The recently returned Andy Walker (pictured) netted twice too.

Stephen Brownlow got one back from the penalty spot after Stephen Barry took one to the body whilst on the line at a short corner but YM eased another three goals in with the rarity of a Keith Benson strike thrown in. The left-back netted a corner rebound.

Second Round: Skerries 2 (Felix Nacken, Alan Early) Pembroke Wanderers 6 (Michael O'Connor, Gordon Elliott, Florian Richter, Conor Harte, Alan Giles, Martin Cronin)

Skerries gave a decent account of themselves in the Mills Cup second round as Pembroke finally made their first appearance in a domestic cup this season. They opened up a 3-1 lead before Alan early pulled one back to put a modicum of pressure on the Serpentine Avenue-outfit.

Pembroke, however, brushed that off with some elan to add the necessary goals to make the game safe with Martin Cronin scoring on his first team debut.

Elsewhere, Corinthian will find out if they are maintain their place in the Mills Cup on Monday night. They have lodged an appeal over their dismissal from the competition due to a registration issue. This will be heard on Monday evening. Glenanne await the reds should they be successful. If not, Dublin University will make the trip to St Mark's.

Tuesday:

Quarter-final: Three Rock Rovers vs Monkstown, 7.45pm, Grange Road

Ireland 2 Canada 0

Ireland 2 (Ciara O'Brien, Nikki Symmons) Canada 0

Gene Muller's Ireland won their second match in the series against Canada at the National Hockey Stadum in a match delayed to 6pm due to the inclement conditions.

Ireland started strongly, forcing a series of corners and profited from their fourth when Ciara O'Brien scored from a direct strike in the 13th minute.

Nikki Symmons extended the lead following an attack down the right, cracking home from the edge of the circle leaving the Canadian keeper with no chance.

Ireland dominated play continuing to create chances, forcing the Canadian keeper into several saves but no more goals.

Weather conditions proved even worse in a virtual stalemate after the break with Ireland forcing the only corner of the half when Symmons strike to the far post was missed by Rachel Mulligan.

At the othe end, Louisa Healy saved well from a Canadian breakaway midway through the half from the visitors main chance.

Ireland: Louisa Healy (GK), Emma Clarke, Bridget McKeever, Shirley McCay, Cathy McKean, Alex Speers, Ciara O'Brien, Nikki Symmons, Lizzie Colvin, Lisa Jacob, Michelle Harvey.

Subs: Cliodhna Sargent, Rachel Mulligan, Megan Frazer, Niamh Small

* For a couple of Deryck Vincent's pictures from the day, click here

Women's Division One: Week Twelve results

Trinity 1 (Lucy Small) Loreto 2 (Ali Meeke, Eilis Smith)
Trinity were left heartbroken as they were denied a point by a last gasp Eilis Smith goal for Loreto at Santry. The Beaufort side, already without four internationals, were shorn of Niamh Small too as she got a late call-up to the Irish Saturday squad for their tie with Canada, giving the likes of Smith and Ali Meeke a chance to shine.

Former Corinthian Meeke opened the scoring very early on, latching on to Rachel Keegan's ball to steer home with a deflection on her reverse.

Lucy Small levelled before half-time, sweeping the ball in on her reverse. Into the second half, knowing his side needs more than just draws to get off bottom spot, David Bane encouraged his Trinity-side to go for the win but his side were stung late on. Nikki Keegan's run created the chance for Smith to score and take the win which reduces Railway's lead to just four points.

Pembroke 5 (Aoife O'Gorman, Emily MacNicholas, Louisa Moore, Shona Doyle, Karen Hales) Corinthian 1 (Susie Geoffroy)

Pembroke moved into a tie for third spot with Hermes thanks to a comfortable win over Corinthian at Serpentine Avenue in the only other game to survive the elements.

The goals were spread around with regular defenders Aoife O'Gorman, Karen Hales and Emily MacNicholas joining strikers Louisa Moore and Shona Doyle on the scoring list. Susie Geoffroy got the response for the reds.

Old Alex ABANDONED Hermes
Hermes turned on the style amid the foul weather to build up a 5-1 lead before the wind and rain proved too much and the game was abndoned at Alex with 17 minutes remaining. Hermes led thanks to goals from Nikki Evans (three), Anna O'Flanagan and Jenny Burke.

Former Hermes player Liane Costello got the response for Alex which made the game 2-1 at half-time.

It now looks like the game will have to be replayed from scratch as per Leinster branch rules within 22 days.

Railway Union OFF Glenanne; UCD OFF Bray

The Railway-Glenanne game got as far as the warm-up before the game was called off with the goals being blown backwards and, as such, will need to be played within the next three weeks.

The same goes for UCD who had similar problems up in Belfield.

*More pictures, courtesy of Deryck Vincent, can be seen here

Men's Division Two: Week Nine Results

Clontarf 3 (Luke Hayden, Rob Abbott, Derek Ledwidge) Bray 2 (Simon Cox 2)
Derek Ledwidge's first goal for Clontarf grabbed all three points as they faced their toughest challenge to date this term.

Early on, Simon Cox had Bray in front amid very stormy conditions at the Bullring before Luke Hayden (pictured) responded from a short corner rebound. Rob Abbott got his side ahead before the break with an upright reverse, again from a corner rebound but Cox got his eighth of the season early in the second period to make it 2-2.

Ledwidge, though, popped up with his first goal since his move from PSBPP to take a three-point lead at the top of division two with a seventh successive win.

Suttonians 5 (Vikram Singh 2, Richie Wormold, Ed Hipwell, Conor Gillett) Dublin University 0
Suttonians showed no ill effects from the departure of their two Pakistani players as they disposed of Trinity in their first league encounter of 2009.

Richie Wormold and Vikram Singh made it 2-0 by half-time before further goals from Singh, Ed Hipwell and Conor Gillett gave the side a comfortable win and close the gap on the top trio, keeping hopes high of a potential play-off place.

Navan 1 (Allan McCulloch) Avoca 2 (Will Aylmer, Stephen Day)
Avoca scraped a win over Navan at Sportslink in a hard-fought battle. Navan took the lead inside five minutes from the penalty spot. Sebastian Percivalle had made an initial save from a Navan shot but the rebound was directed onto a foot giving Allan McCulloch the chance from the spot.

Will Aylmer drew the game level, knocking in a pull back from the endline and Stephen Day got the winner early in the second half after a great move. Day took the ball on from the halfway, exchanging a one-two with Carl Breaden before hitting home from the top of the circle.

Weston 5 (Shane O'Hare 2, Phil Barron, Garvan Drohan, Adrian Graham) Naas 1 Ciaran Davenport)

Weston leap up into fifth place with a handsome win over Naas at Griffeen, shaking off the tough day endured by their seconds against Cork C of I in the early match at the Lucan venue. They were lucky, too, to get the game played with the umpires only declaring the picth playable ten minutes before tip off.

Phil Barron's drag-flick found the net via a defender's stick to set the Lucanites on their way inside five minutes with Shane O'Hare doubling up soon after from a rebound. O'Hare added his second from a slowing move, started by left-back Derek Tucker.

The influential KH student Simon Pearson played a large part in Garvan Drohan's goal to make it 4-0 before Ciaran Davenport pulled one back.

The returning Adrian Graham netted the last goal to move Weston into fifth place.

Men's Division One: Week Thirteen results

Glenanne 4 (Stephen Butler 2, Shane O'Donoghue, Graham Shaw) Monkstown 3 (Andrew Ward 2, Stephen Cole)

Glenanne denied former centre-back Rory O'Donoghue a point at Rathdown as the Town edged the second-half but were undone in the first by a four-goal Glens salvo.

Stephen Butler made it 2-0, one from play and one from a corner, before Stephen Cole and tidy touch from Andrew Ward on the back post made it level at 2-2.

Graham Shaw and Shane O'Donoghue, though, restored the advantage by half-time to 4-2. Ward added his second and the Town's third after the break from a corner rebound but they were unable to snatch a point.

Richard Sykes made his senior debut while Filip Jaros was unavailable for Monkstown.

Pembroke 3 (Alan Sothern 2, Maurice Elliott) Fingal 1 (Mick McGuinness)

Pembroke looked good value for their victory at Serpentine Avenue though they left it late to secure the points. Alan Sothern's reverse made it 1-0 before Mick McGuinness continued his good form from corners to drag home an equaliser in the 30th minute.

The hosts edged the chances and finally broke the deadlock with ten minutes to go with Sothern applying yet another neat touch before Maurice Elliott deflected home Gordon Elliott's cross.

Corinthian 6 (Brian Doherty 2, Chris Pelow 2, Miles Warren, Sam Lobsey) Railway Union 0

The race for IHL places took another interesting turn as Corinthian drew level with Fingal and closing the gap on Monkstown, consigning the 1-0 turnaround to Railway earlier in the season to a distant memory.

Brian Doherty fired in two first half corners while a third was stopped on the line by a defender's foot. Chris Pelow (pictured) duly nailed the impending stroke for a 3-0 half-time lead. Pelow added a corner of his own before Miles Warren made it five before Sam Lobsey got his second in two weeks.

Kilkenny 0 Three Rock Rovers 2 (Peter McConnell, Tim Hill)

Three Rock picked up a second win of 2009 but were made to work by a spirited Kilkenny side who hit the post three times while captain Gary Sharman also missed a penalty stroke.

Their inability to apply the finishing touch cost them as Peter McConnell netted a stroke for Rovers while Tim Hill added a perfect touch to Lucas Piccioli's excellent reverse-stick cross from the left-wing.

UCD 1 YMCA 4 (Jacob Webber 2, Rob Whelan 2)

YMCA got the result that looks set to assuage any lingering doubts about any potential relegation issues this year and can now look to the rest of the season looking up rather than over their shoulder.

Aussie Jacob Webber winged in two drag-flicks in the first half added to by one from Rob Whelan from Mikey Fry's amazing run down the UCD endline. Wesley student Whelan added another in the second half to make it 4-0 before the Belfielders pulled one back.

IHT, IJC and IHC results

Genesis remain the only Leinster side left in either the men's or women's Irish Hockey Trophys as they advanced thanks to a win at Ballymena on penalty strokes. The Dun Laoghaire side struck the post once in normal time but were thankful to Mount Anville schoolgirl Becky Vaughan in nets who pulled off a series of excellent saves.

Laura Barry, Gena Cotter, Caroline Kelly and Claire Stewart held their nerve to win 4-3 on strokes. Three Rock Ladies, however, fell to an impressive Catholic Institute. Lou Dungan gave the Grange Road side an early lead but a brilliantly worked corner was slammed home by Rosemary Pratt.

Underage star Naomi O'Carroll thought she had given Institute the win late in normal time with a sweet reverse volley but play was brought back for a corner from an earlier infringement.

But the Limerick girls' were not to be denied and Pratt scored an absolute peach on her reverse after a mazy run to win the game in extra-time. Elsewhere, the Ulster Elks and Cookstown join Genesis and Catholic Institute in the quarter-finals.

In the men's junior cup, four Leinster sides booked quarter-final slots with Glenanne having to wait. Their game with Bangor was off today amid the squalls. Further up the Dublin mountains, YMCA edged out Three Rock in a very tight battle.

Shane O'Donnell fired a corner rebound home for a 1-0 half-time lead before Shane Madeley netted an unstoppable drag-flick to level. YM had the best of the chances, Phil Powderly managing to hit both posts with one shot but no dividing goal was forthcoming, meaning extra-time.

Jacob Webber, though, took just a couple of minutes to seal the deal, crashing home a fantastic aerial after a corner broke down.

Pembroke had an easy 8-0 win over Railway while Corinthian had a much toughter task in West Cork, nicking a 1-0 win over Bandon. Monkstown beat Civil Service 6-1. Weston, however, were hit for 13 by C of I, getting a dozen before Karl Taylor's stroke pulled one back. Richie Dorman got five with Roger Gray netting four times.

On the women's side, Alex struck twice after the break to beat Three Rock Ladies 2-0 while Hermes were the only other Leinster winners - 5-1 over Randalstown. UCD went out to Galway with Loreto and Trinity's game off.

In the Irish Hockey Challenge, Phoenix Park's opening game against Grosvenor was abandoned but Naas were 2-1 victors in Newry. In the men's competition, St James Gate and Mullingar - after a strokes win, following a 3-3 cracker - made it through to round two.

ESB Irish Hockey Trophy (w) Quarter Finals

Ulster Elks 6 Ashton 0; Cookstown 2 Priorians 1; Three Rock Ladies 1 Catholic Institute 2; Ballymena 0 Genesis 0, Genesis won on 4-3 on strokes

ESB Irish Junior Cup (w) Round 2;

Three Rock Ladies II 0 Old Alex II 2; Galway II 2 UCD II 1; Pegasus II 1 Cork Harlequins II 2; Armagh II w/o QUB II scr; Randalstown II 1 Hermes II 5; Loreto II OFF Dublin University II

Sunday 18th: Cork C of I II v Ashton II

Men's Irish Junior Cup, Round 2;

Bandon II 0 Corinthian II 1; Cookstown II 6 Lisnagarvey II 2; Three Rock Rovers II 1 YMCA 2 aet; Glenanne II OFF Bangor II; Monkstown II 6 NICS II 1; Pembroke II 8 Railway Union II 0; Weston II 1 Cork C of I II 13; Instonians II 2 Raphoe II 2 (Raphoe win 4-3 on strokes)

ESB Irish Hockey Challenge (w)Round 1

Grovesnor ABANDONED Phoenix Park; Newry 1 Naas 2; Clonmel OFF Enniscorthy; Kilkenny 0 Mallow 1; Dungarvan 2 Gorey 3; Athlone 2 Enniskillen 1

Men's Irish Hockey Challenge, Round 1

Omagh 4 SBPP 2; Mullingar 3 PSNI 3, Mullingar win 5-3 on stroles; East Antrim 0 St James Gate 2

* More pictures from the Three Rock vs Catholic Institute game, click here

Ireland 1 Canada 1

Roisin Flinn celebrated her return to the Irish senior women’s hockey team by grabbing the equalising goal as the hosts were held to a 1-1 draw by Canada in the first of a three-game series at Belfield on Friday.

UCD forward Flinn, back on home soil after some time off travelling, slotted home from close range after Cathy McKean had struck an upright in the 48th minute.

Flinn had also been on target in Ireland A’s 2-0 win over the same opposition earlier this week, a match that suggested the senior side wouldn’t be troubled too much by the Canucks.

But the visitors took a shock seventh-minute lead thanks to Tiffany Michaluk’s stinging reverse yesterday, and although Ireland dominated thereafter they spurned a series of chances, with Flinn and Alex Speers the main culprits.

They failed to convert a two-on-one with Canadian keeper Azelia Liu in the first half, while Ireland found the visitors netminder in inspired form overall, as she saved well from penalty corner efforts by Michelle Harvey and Nikki Symmons.

The Saturday match was delayed until 6pm due to the high winds with the goalposts struggling to stay upright.

Women's Division One Preview

Such is the way Saturday's fixtures pan out, the serious hockey fan could get to at least four games without much difficulty.

The action begins out Santry direction where David Bane's Trinity side will hope to take advantage at 10am of the quartet of Loreto players - Louisa Healy, Lizzie Colvin, Cathy McKean and Nikki Symmons - involved with the Irish team in their series with Canada.

Currently, Niamh Small is available for the league fixture as she is outside of Gene Muller's 18-woman Irish panel for Saturday's game but could be called in should there be injuries on Friday afternoon.

Old Alex get underway at a more regular 1.15pm in the highlight of the day's action as the improving hosts to take on third placed Hermes - who welcome back their own quintet of Ireland A players: Emma Grey, Anna O'Flanagan, Chloe Watkins, Niamh Atcheler and double goal-scorer Nikki Evans.

At Park Avenue, leaders Railway will hope to get back to winning ways but will need Sarah McDonald and Emer Lucey on top form to hold out Nicci Daly and Mary Waldron. Glenanne, though, may be without Marie Goulding after she needed stitches for a facial injury sustained against Corinthian.

Corinthian, meanwhile, are waiting on the fitness of skipper Carol McGowan for their visit to Pembroke who have yet to lose at home this term.

The final port of call sees UCD on pitch directly after the national women with Lisa Jacob in the Irish panel. Flinn, in a similar manner to Niamh Small, is included in the Irish squad for Friday and Sunday but has the day off on Saturday, making her available for UCD barring injuries.

Bray's Mary Goode is another to miss out for her club due to national priority.

International series:
(Friday)Ireland vs Canada, 2pm, Belfield
(Saturday)Ireland vs Canada, 2.30pm, Belfield
(Sunday)Ireland vs Canada, 2pm, Belfield

Division One (Saturday):
Railway Union vs Glenanne, 2.30pm, Park Avenue; Pembroke vs Corinthian, 4pm, Serpentine Avenue; Trinity vs Loreto, 10am, Santry Avenue; UCD vs Bray, 4.15pm, Belfield; Old Alex vs Hermes, 1.15pm, Alexandra College

Men's Division Two preview

For the second week running, Clontarf face a battle for the top spot as this week they welcome Bray to Mount Temple. A win for the Wicklow-men would see them jump from third to first while a home win sees 'Tarf pull clear at the top especially with Skerries having a rest weekend.

The free-scoring Bulls have the current form, hitting the backboard a minimum of four times in each league and Mills Cup encounter to date - spread quite evenly through the squad - but the form of Stephen Cairns in nets has been key, too, for the league's tightest defence.

Bray's firepower comes mainly from former Monkstown-man Simon Cox (pictured, left) who has six to his name in league action, hoping to break 'Tarf's winning streak.

Elsewhere, Dublin Uni will hope to hold their concentration for the full 70 minutes against Suttonians in a match that looked, preseason, like it could be a pivotal one but currently sees the two stuck in mid-table.

Weston host Naas as part of the undercard to their seconds opening act of the day against Cork C of I in the Junior Cup while Avoca play Navan without John Ralph whose knee is out of action.

Division 2 (Saturday):

Suttonians vs Dublin University, 1pm, Sutton Park; Navan vs Avoca, 1pm, Sportslink; Weston vs Naas, 3pm, Griffeen Valley Park; Clontarf vs Bray, 2pm, Mount Temple