Pembroke will hope to push the eligibility controversy to one side and focus on the hockey as they bid to retain the Irish Senior Cup on Sunday afternoon against Cookstown at Belfield.
Following a meeting with the IHA last night, Mossley have decided not to pursue their query any further, accepting that the "participation of an ineligible player by Pembroke, against them, was a result of genuine and unintentional errors by Pembroke and the IHA".
The issue, though, seriously threatens to ruin what is normally a marquee day in Irish hockey, set to be broadcast on RTE on Monday evening, with certain quarters threatening to boycott attending what is normally a guaranteed game to watch for the hockey community.
An additional statement released this afternoon added "Mossley HC has acted entirely honourably in this matter, seeking only clarity on the issue, and has at no time sought for penalties or action against Pembroke".
Such timing in the build-up to the final has made it an especially unfortunate affair for all concerned, whatever the rights and wrongs of the situation.
Now is the time, though, to focus on what could be an intriguing game. Last time Cookstown and Pembroke met, they played out a scoreless draw at Coolnafranky using the IHL rules. Such a format has not seemed to be conducive to the Tyrone club's game this season but in the major competitions using the original rules they are as yet unbeaten.
Ivan Steen has recovered from a cracked kneecap and is likely to be a key man, pulling t
he strings behind Stuart Smyth and Andy Barbour. Midfielder Thomas Hutchinson, though, misses out due to a severe knee injury that will require surgery and at least a six-month lay-off.
he strings behind Stuart Smyth and Andy Barbour. Midfielder Thomas Hutchinson, though, misses out due to a severe knee injury that will require surgery and at least a six-month lay-off.In Pembroke, though, they face the form side in the country right now, picking up the EuroHockey Club Trophy and the Leinster title in the last fortnight.
Justin Sherriff, Mick O'Connor and skipper Alan Giles had slight niggles for their match against Monkstown but should come through to play. There is the additional banana-skin of their junior cup final where squad players may be played and subsequently injured - an interesting juggling act for Craig Fulton.
With an EHL place on offer, and the heightened interest created by this week's drama, all concerned hope that hockey will do the talking on Sunday.
Men's Irish Senior Cup final: Pembroke Wanderers vs Cookstown, 1.15pm, Belfield
16 comments:
hope there is a good crowd @ UCD, really looking forward to a good game with positive hockey, which will wet non playing viewers appitites... unlike previous years!
Bring it home CHC!
very best of luck to pembroke in both IJC and ISC. hope they dont focus on all the drama and just do what they do best in playing some great hockey.
railway player
Good luck to both teams! Hopefully a good crowd will show for the weekend if people boycott it there will only be one loser and thats hockey lets show the rest of Ireland how good the sport is and make it worth RTE's while filming it!
Cookstown are easily the best supported club side in Ulster and are sure to bring down a load of supporters with them. The biggest day in Cookstown's history - - such a young side (7 featured in ulster u21 successful interpro side and at 1 stage all 7 were on pitch v leinster)I just hope they dont freeze and let occasion overawe them. LEGENDS IN THE MAKING.
CHC SUPPORTER
Will save my cash, as if the error had occured the other way around. I am fairly sure Mossely would have been out on their ear.
Rules for the big clubs yes
To be fair 3.53pm - the Glenanne v Annadale final in 2007 was one of the best games of hockey you'd of seen anywhere that season.
Pembroke to win both the IJC and ISC
I'm guessing that while Mossley have decided not to pursue any course of action, cookstown and glenanne may have fairly strong cases to put forward should they wish and this may well not be the end of it..........
Look - - lets focus on the hockey here and nothing else. The final is between pem and c'town. May be wrong but I think that c'town are the only team this year to have stopped pem from scoring/ and c'town missed a stroke that game. If c/town hit the ground running they are in with a great chance.
yea i agree - come sunday let the hockey do the talking and hope for a great day of hockey by both teams. im sure it will be a cracker..
all the best pem and CHC.
can we all assume then that if Cookstown are beaten on sun - - they will, as the last remaining team in the comp. to have abided by the rules, qualify for the ehl.
Would not be surprised if cookstown appeal if beaten
I think you'll find that there is a post from Stephen further down his page where people are leaving comments like the one at 5.57,if you want to continue with this sort of thing,comment under that post.Leave this one for the hockey and what promises to be a super game between two of the countries best teams.
Sorry its a fix, Leinster rule IHA and the way they have meesed up so many things this season. Hockey has lost and will never recover. Except in Dublin, all the money all the power.
Leaving aside who should or should not be there let's hope for a good final. Last year was not a great match but the monkstown fans made for a great atmosphere - unfortunately no TV cameras there last year. Let's hope for an equally good atmosphere and a good match this year. The fans can make it the spectacle it should be for the end of season.
promises to be a cracker.. hopefully for the good of hockey Cookstown win... also for the good of my petrol i hope they win!
think it'll be difficult as Pembroke are awesome, but Cookstown need to focus on defending and hope the counter attack works! Come on the Reds!!
cookctown are class, look at the facts in the main comp-ihl- playd 5, won 0, drew 3, lost 2. defo a class act. seems lik they bottle on the bigger stage.
Point 1
Pembroke are a power house team! Even without Erasmus 6-0.....
Point 2
As a player of any sport I want to be the BEST by beating the Rest of the Best!!!To play a full strenght team and win is what its about!
I play this sport not because its easy.... but because its a challenge!
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