Holders Catholic Institute come up short in bid to retain Irish Senior Cup

HOLDERS Catholic Institute came up short in their bid to retain the Irish Women's Senior Cup when suffering a 3-1 defeat to Monkstown at Belfield on Saturday afternoon.

In an opening quarter quarter with lots of end to end play, it was Limerick side Catholic Institute who took the lead from open play in the 18th minute through Rebecca Barry.

Institute carried this 1-0 lead well into the second quarter until the final minute when Monkstown equalised through Natasha Twomey.

Minus their Ireland internationals Roisin Upton and Naomi Carroll, who were not available due to international commitments,  Institute battled gamely throughout the game.

In the third quarter, Monkstown took the lead as Chloe Watkins found Sara Twomey who converted following a penalty corner on 34 minutes to give Monkstown a 2-1 lead at half time.

Despite pressure from Institute, Monkstown weathered the storm and increased their lead in the final quarter when Emily Kealy converted another penalty corner in the 68th minute.

MONKSTOWN: Martina Duignan, Emily Kealy, Sophie Moore, Jennifer Hamill, Claire O’Reilly, Rebecca Carhy, Sara Twomey, Natasha Twomey, Aoibhin Murdoch, Suzie Kelly, Olivia Brady, Millie Jermin, Orla Young-Hughes, Charlotte O’Neill, Chloe Watkins (Capt), Caoimhe Seymour, Sub GK.

CATHOLIC INSTITUTE: Pamela Smithwick-Hearne, Christina O’Shea, Roisin Begley, Aoife Hickey, Alison Clein, Leah Clery, Laura Foley, Ciara Moloney, Clodagh Moloney, Eimear Ryan (Capt), Michelle Barry, Aine Ryan, Rebecca Barry, Anna Horan, Elizabeth Ryan, Aoibheann Collins, Jennifer Clein Miriam O’Callaghan, Sub GK.