Irish Hockey

Instonians face a do-or-die clash with Italian side Amsicora Alisarda in Zagreb today after being held to 1-1 draw by Grammarians in the European Club Championship C Division yesterday.

The result meant that the Old Boys finished second in the Pool and to promote Ireland to the next tier they must win today's play-off match.

Lisnagarvey, the current All-Ireland champions, will be watching and waiting with interest as they will be next season's representatives on the continent in this competition.

Ironically Garvey are the only other Ulster team to have played in the C Division and five years ago they won the tournament hands down in Bratislava.

But the Italians will be no pushovers as they are experienced European journeymen with a reputation of being a flair team.

Inst, to be fair, have had a catalogue of problems of injuries and unavailabilities and yesterday veterans former international Paul Cooke found himself pressed into emergency action having originally intended to attend the tournament merely as a spectator.

Graham Carson was the latest injury victim and his absence forced Cooke into an unexpected comeback after he had been named in the squad for cover.

Instonians took the lead on the stroke of half-time when Gavin Currie and Stephen Reid combined to set up Chris Kirk for the opening goal.

But the Gibralter side fought back after the re-start forcing Nigel Skillen into a number of saves.

The Inst keeper was beaten once again in the 42nd minute as Grammarians plundered the equaliser to set up an intriguing finale later today.

Meanwhile in the equivalent womens' competition Hermes must beat Belgian side Royal Leopold today if they are to promote Pegasus to the top flight next season.

Yesterday the Dublin side went down 2-1 to Rhythm Grodno from Belarus, their second-half consolation goal coming from Linda Caulfield.

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