Irish Senior Cup holders UCD survived a tight battle with Old Alexandra on Saturday to advance to the quarter-finals of this season’s competition where they will be joined by Pegasus, the team they beat in last year’s final, the Belfast side seeing off the challenge of Ulster Elks.
After a scoreless first half at Belfield, Katherine Egan broke the deadlock to give UCD the lead, Sophia Cole doubling their advantage with a penalty stroke. Deirdre Duke pulled one back for Alexandra, to make for a nervy finish to the game, but the students prevailed.
Elsewhere, Alex Speers gave Pegasus a first quarter lead against Ulster Elks but they were made to work hard for their victory by the Premier League side. Their second goal did not come until the 53rd minute and their third in the final minute, both scored by Lucy McKee.
With both Cork Harlequins and UCC exiting the competition, Catholic Institute will be Munster's sole representative in the last eight after a comfortable 5-0 win over Corinthian. Harlequins lost by the same scoreline to Pembroke Wanderers, while UCC were beaten in a shoot-out by Queens having twice lost the lead in a 2-2 draw.
Railway Union and Muckross also advanced with shoot-out victories, Railway getting the better of Loreto after a scoreless draw. Muckross ousted Lisnagarvey, also after the game ended 0-0. Banbridge join Queens as the only non-hockey league top flight teams in the quarter-finals after they beat Glenanne 3-1 in Dublin.
Irish Senior Cup - Second round: Catholic Institute 5 (R Upton, L Foley, N Carroll, L Clery, C O’Shea pen), Corinthian 0; Cork Harlequins 0, Pembroke Wanderers 5 (S Campbell 2, R O’Brien, S Loughran, C Foley); Glenanne 1, Banbridge 3 (L Mackey 2, R Kerr); Pegasus 3 (A Speers, L McKee 2), Ulster Elks 0; UCD 2 (K Egan, S Cole), Old Alexandra 1 (D Duke); Queens 2 (O Gibson, J McMaster), UCC 2 (N Barry, E O’Sullivan). Queens won 4-1 in a shoot-out. Lisnagarvey 0, Muckross 0. Muckross won 3-2 in a shoot-out. Railway Union 0, Loreto 0. Railway won 3-0 in a shoot-out.
