Linden heads back to Lisburn

Bathed in glorious spring-like conditions, in front of a large crowd, South Antrim retained the One1918 Linden Cup, defeating Armagh 4-1 on penalty strokes.

Ulster Union officials could only be impressed by the huge turn-out, and it must give them food for thought when to play next year’s final, and possibly move away from the traditional New Year’s Day date.

It was a repeat of last season’s final, and Armagh were in no mood to be second best this time round. With only 11 minutes on the clock, Gregory Croft edged them in an early lead, when he drove home their first short corner.

However, their lead was short-lived, as two minutes later Chris Henry was on the end of a well worked short corner routine, tucking the ball home from close in.

With the teams still locked a goal-a-piece at half time, the game burst into life, when Ward Phillips sliced into the Armagh circle to unleash an unstoppable shot past Ryan O’Neil, to put South Antrim ahead.

It was all South Antrim, as they peppered the Armagh circle. But completely against the run of play, Armagh hit back when David Warnock collected a cross from the right, to slam the ball home with a sweetly struck reverse stick shot.

Even though Armagh were back on level terms, it was all South Antrim as they went for the elusive winner, and when Armagh went down to 10 men, after Chris Gardener was sin-binned, South Antrim couldn’t make the extra man count, and extra time it was.

Even a period of extra time couldn’t separate the teams, during which the game was suspended, to allow David Warnock to be taken to hospital after he sustained a serious neck injury.

So it was down to the dreaded penalty strokes, and with Armagh missing two of their first three, it was down to Mark Campbell to make a name for himself, which he duly did, dispatching the ball into the Armagh net to deservedly give South Antrim the Linden Cup crown.

Result

Linden Cup Final
Armagh 2 South Antrim 2
(South Antrim won 4-1 on PS)

Feast of Hockey for fans

By Phil Allen

Hockey fans can look forward to a feast of hockey this weekend, as they are simply spoilt for choice where to go.

First up, it is round three of the Irish Hockey League, with crucial games both north and south. Then it is the semi-final stage of the Irish Trophy and the Irish Challenge, with Ulster teams involved in all the semi-finals.

Next, there is Premiership and Senior league action, with one or two relegation battles to be sorted out.

And, finally on Sunday, it is the Linden Cup final between Armagh and South Antrim, and let’s hope they can get it played this time round.

If that is not enough hockey, you can also catch live World Cup action on the ‘box’ from India.

So there you are, take your pick.

Irish Hockey League

Defeat this week in the Irish Hockey League for Lisnagarvey could mean another season without any silverware in the trophy cabinet at their Hillsborough headquarters, and that simply by Garvey standards is unacceptable.

Last week, Garvey squandered a two goal advantage to let their same opponents this week, Three Rock Rovers, progress to the semi-finals of the Irish Senior Cup.

So, Garvey can exact revenge on Rovers by winning, and winning in style, securing a bonus point and keeping their IHL dream alive. They currently top Pool B and a win would put them on course for the May play-offs.

Meanwhile, in the all-Ulster clash between Cookstown and Annadale, defeat for either side could mean they miss out in the finals for another season.

In Pool A, second placed Instonians welcome the current Irish champions, Pembroke Wanderers to Shaws Bridge. In the same fixture last season, Wanderers were strolling to a comfortable win, when Inst staged a remarkable comeback to level it, but they will hope to go one step further on Saturday.

Inst have to decide this week whether to go for youth or experience and bring back Nigel Skillen in goal or go with Ulster Under 21 keeper Alastair Thom, who has been in outstanding form between the sticks the last couple of weeks.

Banbridge head south for their third pool game against Dublin side Corinthian. Both sides crashed out of the ISC last Saturday and a win for Bann could see them back in the reckoning for the play-offs.

Irish Hockey Trophy

It’s the all-Ulster semi-final between Civil Service and Antrim that whets the appetite. It’s a repeat of last season’s semi which Antrim edged 5-4.

Service look to have already the Senior One title in the bag, and have the Irish Trophy fixed firmly in their sights, after missing out last season.

But Antrim, may just have other ideas, as they lost 6-5 to North Down in the final last time around and are determined to rectify that matter.

In the other semi-final, Belfast Harlequins face a tough test when they welcome Dublin side Suttonians, who are top of Division Two in the Leinster league.

Irish Hockey Challenge

Challenge Cup holders Campbellians make the trip to Dublin, where they take on St. Brendan’s in the first semi final.

Campbellians, who are undefeated this season, are poised to step up into Senior One, and look too strong for a side who are languishing in the bottom half of Division Four in the Leinster league.

Larne make the long trip to Limerick this week for the other semi-final clash. Limerick thumped four goals past Portrush in last week’s quarter-final clash, and a Larne side who are struggling to find any form this season, will do well to make it an all-Ulster final.

Premiership and Senior League

If Raphoe can repeat their result last week against Mossley this Saturday, the Premiership relegation battle will go into the melting pot.

Another win this week for Raphoe will see them leap frog from the foot of the table over Mossley and go one point behind Bangor, with two games in hand over the seasiders.

The County Donegal side looked down and out but they are far from it, and will be determined to stay in the top flight.

It is a bottom of the table clash between Down and Queens in Senior One. Defeat for Down will mean a quick return to Senior Two, as they were only promoted last season.

In the other game in Senior One, it is just a matter of who can finish higher in the table, Cliftonville or Portadown?

PSNI will be hoping they can take the runner-up slot in Senior Two, as Campbellians have the title all-but in the bag. They should see off this week’s opponents Ballymena, with Parkview looking too strong for Foyle, and Omagh and Saintfield sharing the spoils.

Linden Cup Final

South Antrim and Armagh will try and play the Linden Cup Final, at the third time of asking, this Sunday (2.30pm).

Already postponed twice because of severe frost, both sides are hoping that the weather pundits have it right this weekend, and the game should go ahead.

As far as league encounters this season, it is one each in games, but in their last meeting South Antrim smashed five past Armagh without reply.

The Lisburn based side are hoping for a top four finish, to book a place in the Kirk Cup next season, when they can take on a couple of the ‘big-guns’ of premiership.

For Armagh, under the experienced eye of coach, Robbi McMinn, it has been somewhat of a disappointing season, with only three wins under their belt.

Lifting the Linden would go some way to make up for their disappointing season, but South Antrim look favourites to complete the double over Armagh, after they defeated them 3-2 in last season’s final.

ONE 1918 Senior Spotlight

By David Agnew

It’s great to see the blog back in action and it’s just in time for a great weekend of action involving Senior League sides! 

Senior One

All Senior One action this weekend involves teams in the bottom half of the table and match of the weekend is the clash between Down and QUB on Friday evening which is a must win for Down and must not lose for QUB.  Both sides have put in impressive shifts recently – QUB drawing with Harlequins and Down narrowly losing out to Antrim – but with so much at stake the form book gets ripped up and this result could go either way.  

In the only other Senior One game Cliftonville host Portadown in a rare 4.00pm start at Belmont Road.  The Ports have been on something of a good run recently with a point at South Antrim and all three from the reverse fixture with Ville a few weeks back but they are only too well aware that their hosts are capable of a much better performance than the 5-0 score-line reflected on that occasion. 

Senior Two

In Senior Two PSNI host Ballymena as they aim to continue their resurgence since the arrival of Chris Barnes.  Only three points now separate them from Ballynahinch who occupy second place in the league.   

Foyle continue to search for their first point and this week they travel to face Parkview who will be hoping to heap even more misery on Ulster Hockey’s newest men’s club. 

In the remaining fixture Omagh host Saintfield and will have to be in good form if they are to get anything from this clash with one of Senior Two’s most improved sides this season. 

Irish Hockey Trophy

It’s a clash of the Senior One titans at the semi-final stage of the IHT as NICS face Antrim in what promises to be a rip-roaring encounter!  On such a special occasion league form means nothing and the neutrals could be in for end to end action and plenty of goals as both sides know how to tuck them away. 

Harlequins have a great chance to reach the final and make it an all Ulster affair as they face Dublin based Suttonians in the other semi-final.  Suttonians are capable of scoring goals against the best of Ulster’s Senior League sides but they also concede plenty so here’s hoping Quins can hit their stride early and fly the Ulster Hockey flag with pride. 

Irish Hockey Challenge

Campbellians and Larne represent Ulster in the IHC semi-finals facing St Brendans and Limerick respectively.  Again I’m right behind the Ulster sides and hope to see all Ulster finals in both competitions. 

Linden Cup

Last but by no means least we come to the much talked about and eagerly anticipated Linden Cup Final between Armagh and South Antrim.  The game has now been moved to Havelock Park Banbridge and it will be interesting to see how this change of playing surface affects the standard of hockey on offer.   

South have had a great season so far and look set to finish in the top three which is a remarkable achievement and improvement from last season.  Armagh have also taken huge strides forward this season and they have been boosted by the new year return of Gregory Croft who is capable of turning any game on it’s head.

Good luck to both sides and may the best team win!   

PS a note for the older hands in both teams…….this auld water based malarkey……watch out for the bobbles and go for the straight bat! LOL

Predictions

(and as usual my Ports team will be tipped for a win!) 

Senior One

Down 3 vs QUB 3

Ville 1 vs Ports 2 

Senior Two

PSNI 3 vs Ballymena 1

Parkview 2 vs Foyle 0

Omagh 1 vs Saints 2 

IHT (I’m gonna back all the Ulster teams!!)

NICS 5 vs Antrim 3

Quins 4 vs Suttonians 2 

IHC (I’m gonna back all the Ulster teams!!) 

St B 2 vs Campbellians 3

Limerick 1 vs Larne 2 

Just a quick note to ask if someone from each club could text me score, scorers and brief match details (including cards) each saturday evening? thanks.  (One person from each club has already been sent my mobile number)