Hockey round-up: Catholic Institute earn club’s first national title while Lisnagarvey grab treble

For Insta, they secured a first national senior title of any description in their 112-year history when they edged out Pembroke 1-0 in the women’s decider.

It was a remarkable turnaround for the Limerick club, who lost 4-1 to the same opponents just six days earlier in the EY Champions Trophy.

Aoife Hickey was the unlikely history-maker. She turned in the only goal of the game, a brilliantly sharp reaction volley, as Carroll – the final’s outstanding performer – fired a ball knee-high across goal where Hickey was waiting for only her third goal of the season.

After that, Pembroke had spells on the up, but it was Insta who created the clearer chances to score again and they held on for victory despite three Pembroke corners on the final hooter.

“We are ecstatic,” said Carroll. “We had a tough week, losing to Pembroke last week and were devastated after it.

“We watched a lot of video and saw we made a lot of mistakes, which we knew we could rectify.

“We had to change what we did and bring our strengths forward, not fall into their game-plan. We focused on that and gave it everything! Empty the tanks was our motto!”

In the men’s final, Lisnagarvey won the title with a 3-1 win over Monkstown, extending their lead on the all-time winner’s list with their 25th success. It completed a domestic treble as they added the Senior Cup to the EY Hockey League and EY Champions Trophy wins already in the bank.

After a scoreless first half, Andy Williamson put Garvey in front during the third quarter from a penalty corner drag-flick. It remained that way until the last 10 minutes when the Ulster club punished Monkstown on the counter with Harry Morris and Ben Nelson – preceding a spectacular acrobatic celebration – extending the lead to three.

Davy Carson pulled one back, but ‘Garvey stayed out of range to earn another trophy for the cabinet.