Ladies and Men both through to Irish Senior Cup Finals

Massive day in Belfield awaits…

A huge day in Belfield awaits the Club after both our Ladies and Men’s sides overcame Ulster opposition to each book their place in tommorrow’s Irish Senior Cup Final.

Pembroke Wanderers 0 Lurgan 0, Pembroke win 3-1 on flicks

The Ladies, first up against Lurgan were probably favourites heading into their tie following a Quarter Final win over Loreto. Sorcha Clarke (concussion) and Hayley O’Donnell (knee) sadly were injury absentees, while the girls were also without Kylie Deverell, who is abroad with work commitments. It’s 2007 since the girls last reached an ISC Final and they could probably be forgiven for some early nerves.

Lurgan targeted the right hand side in the first half, but it was Alice Ward who went closest just before half time. Pembroke were stronger in the second half, Anna O’ Neill almost scoring at the far post, but Lurgan had a short corner chance snuffed out just at the final whistle. Inevitably extra time could not separate the sides and the tie went to penalty flicks. Stella Davis in goals was coolness personified ahead of the strokes, and it was no surprise when she made two beautiful diving stick saves, while Rachel Scott, Alice and Rachel O’Reilly’s assured strokes could not be kept out.

The girls face UCD, who triumphed over Railway in the other semi, in the Ladies Irish Senior Cup Final at 1.15pm.

Pembroke Wanderers 3 Lisnagarvey 2, AET

The Men, who last won this competition in 2009 stepped up next against Ulster outfit Lisnagarvey, after some opening exchanges it was Alan Sothern with an unstoppable drag flick to make it 1-0 after 20 minutes, while Mark Ingram helped maintain the lead with some fine saves.

‘Garvey though leveled through an og on 60 mins, and responded again on 68 mins through Tim Cockram to lead 2-1, but Cillian Hynes was immediately on hand to level the tie with only moments to the full time whistle. Onto silver goal extra time and it was Alan Sothern who made the decisive play – his cool finish close to the half time hooter deciding the tie. High drama, as it was in last year’s semi final against Banbridge!

The lads will face Three Rock Rovers in tomorrow’s Final, Rovers overcoming last season’s champions Monkstown in emphatic style. It promises to be a brilliant match and a brilliant day all round for the club.