Ewington helps nail title

Hockey

Former Dalefield and Central Mavericks National League player Andy Ewington is being hailed as the "comeback kid" in Irish hockey circles.

Ewington was the toast of his Monkstown club last weekend after scoring two vital goals when they beat Three Rock Rovers 4-3 in the final of the Leinster Mills Cup senior competition.

Having scarcely played for Monkstown's first team in 2013 because of other commitments, Ewington was not expecting to be part of their line-up in the decider, but was called on by coach Graham Shaw after a spate of late injuries robbed his team of several key players.

The odds of a Monkstown victory did not look good, however, when Three Rock Rovers held a 3-1 lead with less than 30 minutes left to play.

It was then Ewington scored the first of his goals, pouncing on an error in the opposition defence, and after teammate Stephen Cole had made it 3-3, a cracking finish was in store.

There were anxious moments for Monkstown when a shot from a Rovers player hit Ewington on the body in front of his own goal and Rovers were awarded a stroke, a decision which was downgraded to a penalty corner after the umpires had consulted.

The penalty corner was fluffed and Monkstown lived to fight another day.

Then came a piece of Ewington magic.

With just four minutes remaining, Monkstown forced a penalty corner, the ball found Ewington's stick and his ripping drag flick bulldozed it into the back of the net, to the jubilation of teammates and supporters.

This wasn't the first time Ewington had starred in a Mills Cup final, having also scored twice when Monkstown beat Glenanne in 2011.