Hook Hockey

Elks claim Intervarsity double

University of Ulster Elks completed the Chilean and Mauritius Cup double in Jordanstown this afternoon as both their men’s and women’s teams overcame UCD in the finals.

On the men’s side of the draw, UU trounced UCC 8-0 in the semi-final to set up a repeat of last year’s final showdown with UCD. They beat city rivals DCU 3-1 thanks to Rob Lynch’s drag-flick and Paddy O’Connor’s goal in the first half while Tim Hill completed the win before Stephen Brownlow pulled one back for the Glasnevin outfit.

It set up a fiesty final in which little quarter was given and six yellow cards – three a piece – were doled out. Chris O’Flaherty scored a corner in each half to separate the teams 2-0, the first of the standard variety; the second past John McInroy in the role of kicking full-back after Stephen O’Keefe had been sent to the line for a rash tackle outside his circle.

McInroy would also spend time in the bin along with Ronan Flannery as would David Ames and two UU team-mates but the northern side dealt better with the absentees and held out to retain the Mauritius Cup.

On the women’s side, the Elks qualified for the final with a 3-1 win over UCC to set up a rematch of the thrilling group phase encounter with UCD who had disposed of DCU in the morning.

And the Chilean decider certainly matched the first battle. Rachel Burke gave the Belfielders a very early lead when she deflected Lisa Jacob’s superb cross but UU drew level in the second half from a well-worked corner.

UCD saw a similar set-piece saved and cleared within inches of the goal-line while Grace O’Flanagan was called on to make a string of saves as pressure fluctuated from end to end. Laura Wilson was sin-binned for a sliding tackle for what looked a well-judged defensive effort while no more goals in normal time meant the recourse to extra-time.

The Dublin side had the first shot in anger, deflecting a corner over the bar, but UU pounced from a set piece to secure the title and a rare Mauritius and Chilean Cup double.

Trinity, meanwhile, won the Mauritius Plate on penalty strokes ahead of CIT. They let a 2-0 lead slip in normal time as John Hobbs dragged his team back into the fray but the Dubliners won the stroke competition 5-3.

Mauritius Cup:
Semi-finals: UCC 0 UU Elks 8; DCU 1 UCD 3
Final: UU Elks 2 UCD 0

Chilean Cup:
Semi-finals: UU Elks 3 UCC 1; UCD 4 DCU 0
Final: UU Elks 2 UCD 1 after extra-time