Limerick's Catholic Institute look to retain Irish Senior Cup title

HOLDERS Catholic Institute will look to retain the women's Irish Senior Cup hockey title this weekend.

Limerick side Institute take on Monkstown in the prestigious final at the Hockey Pitch, UCD, Belfield this Saturday. The game has a 12:45pm start time.

Catholic Institute lost out to recently crowned EYHL Women’s Division champions UCD in the opening semi-final of the EYHL Women’s Champions Trophy at Havelock Park on Saturday last.

Catholic Institute had a penalty corner early in the second quarter which they failed to convert. The momentum then seemed to shift to their opponents UCD who went 1-0 ahead in the 24th minute Katie-Jane Marshall converting a penalty corner. UCD increased their lead in the 32nd minute remaining in the first half when Sarah McAuley hit the backboards to make it 2-0 at the break.

Catholic Institute were more in the game during the third quarter, enjoying periods of possession but their efforts from penalty corners successfully repelled by a UCD defence.

In the 66th minute following the breakdown of a Catholic Institute attack, UCD added a third goal through Niamh Carey.

Institute booked their place in this weekend's Irish Senior Cup final after edging past Railway Union in their semi-final played at Rosbrien last month.

With the game scoreless at full-time, the match was decided on a five penalty shuttle. Showing outstanding coolness, Institute's Anna Horan, Laura Foley, Rebecca Barry and Roisin Begley all converted their strikes and with keeper Pam Smithwick producing two great saves for the home side, it resulted in a 4-2 win. Monkstown defeated Avoca in their semi-final.