It took a touch of class from Trish Conway and a faultless display of goalkeeping by Jenny King to end UCC's magnificent run in the Sharwoods Irish Senior Cup in Cork on Saturday and win Old Alexandra a place in the final against Pegasus in four week's time.
Conway scored the game's only goal in the 12th minute when her beautifully-judged lob from a short corner sailed over the head of goalkeeper Koran McCarthy and in to the net. "It was a fabulous goal, there wasn't a thing we could do about it," conceded UCC captain Fiona Connery at full time.
It was an intriguing match, played between teams of hugely contrasting styles at the Mardyke in front of an enthusiastic crowd the size of which is rarely seen at a women's club match in Ireland. "I'd rather be a student than a Dub," sang one section of the home support, but, ironically, it was a former UCC student, Kilkenny-born King, who played for Harlequins in the Munster League, who persisted in breaking UCC hearts with outstanding goalkeeping.
King pulled off saves from Connery, Carrie O'Callaghan, Vivienne Fenton and twice from EJ Walsh, but it was her handling of UCC's seven short corners during the game that drew praise from her coach David Judge. "That's where Jenny comes into her own," he said. "They were looking for rebounds from the short corners, but she dealt with them very positively, clearing them to the sides before they had a chance to pounce - she had a super game."
Judge also singled out Susan Keogh for her "stormer" of a first half, in which she repeatedly brought an end to UCC attacks with superb tackles and interceptions. There can't be too many teams in the country that play more attractive and exciting hockey than UCC, but Alex's defence - Deirdre Deasy (ex-UCC), Tracey Skoyles, Carol Metchette and Linda Campbell - displayed admirable composure in their handling of the waves of attacks mounted by the talented Walsh, O'Callaghan, Fenton and Eimear O'Brien.
"I have to pay a lot of compliments to UCC, I thought they were a lovely side, very spirited and very talented. They really had us on our heals at times, but, once again, I have to hand it to our defence and Jenny in goal," said Judge.
Conway was about to comment on reaching her first ever Irish Senior Cup final, after losing in three previous semi-finals but, much to her embarrassment, was buried under a sea of autograph-hunting schoolgirls. But the quality of her goal had earned her the attention and when a new Irish coach is eventually appointed, she will surely add to the six senior caps she has won to date. Jenny King, too, must be a candidate for the senior squad in the coming months.
"These are the matches you want to play in," said a delighted Susan Keogh, who will hope to won her third Irish Cup medal on February 28th. "It was brilliant and the crowd was just fantastic. You can't beat the Irish Senior Cup," she added, saying she didn't mind who they met in the final. Well, Pegasus it will be after they proved too strong for Randalstown in Belfast, winning 3-1 with goals from Claire McMahon (two) and Jeanette Turner. Jackie McWilliams, still seeking a place in her first Irish Senior Cup final, scored Randalstown's consolation goal minutes before the end.
Irish Senior Cup - Semi-finals: UCC 0, Old Alexandra 1 (T Conway); Pegasus 3 (C McMahon 2, J Turner), Randalstown 1 (J McWilliams).
Leinster League - Senior A: Trinity 2 (A Bowers, L Caulfield), Railway Union 3 (C McKean 2, R O'Reilly); Loreto 1 (E Goddard), Muckross 2 (O Bell, T Bowtell); Pembroke Wanderers 0, Glenanne 1 (J Salter); Genesis 0, Hermes 5 (L Daly 3, F Manning, J Burke). Senior B: Railway Union II 0, Hermes II 2; Corinthian 0, Aer Lingus 0; UCD 6, Diocesan 0; Muckross II 2, Avoca 2; Loreto II 2, Maids 1.
Munster Senior League: Church of Ireland 3 (D Hill, C Walsh, N Mason), Bandon 0.
Ulster Senior League - Section One: Ards 6, North Down 1; Coleraine 3, Owls 1; Knock 0, Victorians 1; Portadown 0, Collegians 0. Section Two: Civil Service 4, Banbridge 0; Grosvenor 0, Enniskillen 6; UUJ 6, Omagh 2; RUC 1, Queens 2.
