Cork C of I having won the hockey season's opening tournament at Annadale the previous weekend, it was Instonians who confirmed their all-Ireland supremacy in retaining the more prestigious Three Rock Budweiser trophy at Grange Road yesterday.
In the final, Instonians - having overpowered under-strength Glenanne 4-0 in the semi-finals - beat the English first division team Old Loughtonians 2-1. Jon Atkins scored an early goal and Mark Irwin added a second as the strong Belfast side asserted themselves in the closing stages; Nick Thompson converted a penalty stroke in the last minute for the losers.
Hockey's Mecca on Saturday - as Minister for Education, Micheal Martin put it - was at Farmers Cross, Cork, where Harlequins' second astroturf pitch was officially opened and dedicated to the club's most respected figure, Billy Carpenter.
To mark the occasion, an Irish XI (without any Instonians players and with youth international Karl Burns as a guest) eased to a 4-2 win over a Munster selection. Alastair Dunne, Julian Stevenson, Robin Madeley and Justin Sherriff finished off the winners' movements; the Black brothers, Mark and Jason, replied. The fine goalkeeping of the Bateman brothers, Ivan and Wesley, was a feature of the game. The player to make most impact was Ivan Steen at left-back for the Irish side.
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