Sport

Railway Union and YMCA provide the surprises in men’s hockey

Good day for Leinster sides as six go through to the quarter-finals

Railway Union’s Mark English (right): he was on the mark in the second half against Banbridge. Photograph: INPHO
Railway Union’s Mark English (right): he was on the mark in the second half against Banbridge. Photograph: INPHO
Sun Nov 29 2015 - 16:36

Railway Union and YMCA made seismic waves in the Irish Senior Cup with the elimination of reigning champions Banbridge and higher-tiered Annadale respectively to reach the quarter-finals.

Just two months ago Railway were hammered 6-1 on home turf by Bann but they produced a fine second-half showing to see off the Co Down side 3-1.

Eugene Magee and Nick Tate exchanged drag-flicks in the first half to leave the tie locked at one each before the break. Then Mark English and Simon McKeever struck in the second half to earn Railway a famous win against a Bann side fielding South African provincial player Brad Logan for the first time.

Confidence

For YMCA, they were 6-3 winners over Annadale as the Leinster league side made use of their greater confidence from a fruitful opening to the season against the EYHL division strugglers.

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Their Australian connection was in fine form with Thom Ritchie netting twice while Southern Hemisphere arrival Jacob Webber scored along with Felim Kelly and Ben Campbell.

In general it was a fine day for Leinster sides with six going through to the quarter-finals, while just one side apiece from Ulster and Munster remain. Glenanne went the distance against Mossley, prevailing in a shoot-out after normal time had ended 3-3. Three Rock Rovers got the best of Cookstown 3-1, while Pembroke eased to a 9-1 success against South Antrim.

Monkstown had a similarly easy 6-1 win in Cork against UCC. Cork C of I bounced back from three games without a win in the league with a confident 3-0 success over visiting Kilkeel, while Lisnagarvey beat Instonians by the same margin.