Archive for month: April, 2024
EY CHAMPIONS TROPHY FINALS
WOMEN’S EY CHAMPIONS TROPHY FINAL
RAILWAY UNION 1 LORETO 0
The two best teams all season found themselves in the EY Champions Trophy Final in Banbridge on Sunday afternoon. The EYHL winners Loreto and their runners-up Railway Union had been the two best teams by a wide margin in the League all season with the winner of this game getting Ireland’s coveted EHL spot for season 2024-25.
Both teams enjoyed periods of dominance in the opening quarter. The best chance of the quarter for Railway Union fell to Sarah Hawkshaw who did a one two on the edge of the semi-circle with Katie Mullan but Loreto’s Hannah McLoughlin took the ball away as she was about to shoot. Loreto had their best spell of the first quarter in the last few minutes without creating too many clear-cut opportunities. Railway who had kept a clean sheet in their semi-final win over Catholic Institute seemed determined to continue that defensive solidity into the final. Railway Union forced a penalty corner with seconds remaining in the quarter. Roisin Upton fired wide and it was Loreto 0 Railway Union 0 at the end of quarter one.
Railway began quarter two well and forced a penalty corner in the 19th minute. The ball was injected and passed back to the left-hand side, hit across the goal mouth and poked home at the far post by Lily Lloyd but was ruled out. A long-range effort from outside the semi-circle by Railway Union’s Sarah Hawkshaw came back of Liz Murphy needing just the faintest of touches to give them the lead. It was cleared by a Loreto defender and the score remained honours even. Railway had to weather a minor pressure storm themselves but going up to half-time it seemed like the deadlock would remain at least until the break. And so both sides went in at the break scoreless.
Loreto’s first chance of the third quarter came from a penalty corner in the 44th minute. After the ball was injected Caitlin Sherin found herself in space but her shot was blocked. Play was held up for a while following a head injury sustained by Loreto captain Mia Jennings who went off the field. She returned to action in the closing minutes. Railway Union won a penalty corner in the 49th minute. Roisin Upton’s shot was blocked, and another one was awarded. This time it fell for Orla Patton whose shot was blocked and eventually cleared. Railway Union finished the quarter strongly almost encamped in the Loreto half. A free hit out for Loreto saw the quarter time hooter sound.
As the fourth quarter began Railway Union keeper Emma Buckley had to be alert to deny Yasmin Pratt of Loreto who had managed to lose her marker and was through one on one with the goal almost at her mercy. Emma Buckley was put to the test with two short corners in rapid succession, but they too went the way of all the others up to this point and were fruitless for the team who had been awarded them. Railway Union forced a succession of penalty corners around the hour mark but as with the others nothing significant emerged from them. A further effort struck by Roisin Upton was saved by Loreto keeper Liz Murphy’s right leg. Loreto then won a penalty corner up the other end in the 66th minute and it fell to Hannah Matthews who shot wide. Loreto finished the game strongly.
One penalty corner in the final minute fell to Hannah Matthews she passed to McLoughlin who in turn passed to Rachel Kelly whose effort was blocked. In the closing seconds Railway Union broke from deep Roisin Upton launched an aerial and Niamh Carey broke into the Loreto semi-circle and was upended. A penalty stroke was awarded. In what proved to be the final act of the game Roisin Upton scored with the last hit of the match and the ball went in despite Liz Murphy getting a glove to it and it soared into the roof of the net just beyond the crossbar. Railway Union win 1-0. Railway Union captain Emma Smith was voted Player of the Tournament and goalkeeper Emma Buckley, who kept two clean sheets in two games won Goalkeeper of the Tournament.
RAILWAY UNION; Emma Buckley; Sarah Patton; Niamh Carey; Michelle Carey; Lisa Mc Carthy; Aebfhinn Burke: Emma Smith (C): Katie Mullan: Roisín Upton: Sarah Hawkshaw: Niamh Shaw SUBS USED: Lily Lloyd; Orla Fox; Orla Patton; Kate Dillon; Kate Fearon
LORETO: Liz Murphy; Lisa Mulcahy: Síofra O’Brien: Mia Jennings (C): Caitlin Sherin: Yasmin Pratt: Caoimhe Perdue: Christina Hamill: Hannah Matthews: Hannah McLoughlin: Rachel Kelly; SUBS USED: Ella Pasley; Aisling Murray; Grace McLoughlin; Katie Dunne; Sarah Torrans
MEN’S EY CHAMPIONS TROPHY FINAL
BANBRIDGE 2 LISNAGARVEY 1
Banbridge won the EYHL Men’s Division 1 in season 2023-24 and Lisnagarvey came second. Next weekend the two sides will battle it out in the Irish Senior Cup Final in Dublin. Later on in May they will contest Ulster’s Kirk Cup final and there could yet be a fourth title up for grabs between the two depending on how the rest of their Anderson Cup campaigns pan out. The two Ulster sides have dominated men’s hockey on the island of Ireland in recent seasons and show no signs of lessening their grip. Banbridge continue to have the advantage but Lisnagarvey’s European Trophy win would have given them a huge boost to their confidence going into the first of the three big finals we alluded to earlier.
These derbies are closely fought and this one was no exception both sides ready at the off. After a bit of back and forth in the opening stages, Banbridge went in front thanks to a set piece. Philip Brown converted a penalty corner in the 9th minute to give Banbridge the lead. And they held that lead until the end of quarter one. Lisnagarvey who put six past Monkstown in their semi-final victory on Saturday, came into the game more so after the break and found themselves encamped in the Banbridge half in the opening minutes of the quarter.
Lisnagarvey’s best chance to score in the second quarter came in the closing minutes with a series of penalty corners in the 32nd minute Daniel Nelson fired a shot which Luke Roleston saved at full stretch. Lisnagarvey were awarded a second penalty corner. They altered the routine and the ball found Peter McKibbin not far from the endline who scooped the ball into the net to make it 1-1 in the 33rd minute. It was 1-1 at half-time. It continued to be very tight in the third quarter. Both sides forced penalty corners but one corner for Lisnagarvey did have an impact on the match but not a scoring one. Play was held up for a injury to Banbridge captain Alexander Tinney who took a penalty corner from Lisnagarvey full in the chest. In the 51st minute just before the break, Banbridge went in front when a penalty corner was converted by Joshua Moffett to give them a 2-1 lead.
It was 2-1 going into the fourth quarter and the League runners-up started to dominate possession. Lisnagarvey forced a series of corners but were unable to find a way past Luke Roleston. Louis Rowe almost won it for Banbridge in the 66th minute when he burst into the semi -circle. Goalkeeper James Milliken forced him wide and was able to block his subsequent effort. Lisnagarvey withrdrew Milliken in favour of an extra outfield player with two minutes remaining and were awarded a penalty corner a minute later. Oliver Kidd shot but his effort was blocked by Goalkeeper of the Tournament Luke Roleston. The final hooter sounded. Banbridge 2 Lisnagarvey 1. Banbridge are Champions Trophy winners and will represent Ireland in next season’s EHL.
BANBRIDGE:- Luke Roleston; Luke Witherow; Alexander Tinney [C]; Jake Rowe; Charlie Rowe; Philip Brown; Mark Cowan; Matthew McKee; Louis Rowe; Sam Farson; Owen Magee; SUBS USED;- Hugh Mc Shane [8 mins]; Joshua Moffett [8 mins]; Thomas Orr [6 mins]; Thomas Dobson [7 mins]; Mark Barlow [9 mins]; Ben Walker [7 mins]
LISNAGARVEY:- James Milliken; James Lorimar; Jonathan Lynch; Mark McNelis; Peter McKibbin; Andrew Williamson [C]; Harry Morris; James Corry; Ryan Getty; Daniel Nelson; Matthew Nelson; SUBS USED:- Ben Nelson [8 mins]; Jonathan Bell [8 mins ]; Milo Thompson [12 mins]; Matthew Aughey [9 mins] ; Andrew Edgar [8 mins ]; Oliver Kidd [8 mins]
EY CHAMPIONS TROPHY SEMI-FINALS
WOMEN’S EY CHAMPIONS TROPHY SEMI-FINAL
LORETO 7 UCD 1
In the 2017-18 season, UCD EY Hockey League winners, fell to Loreto who went on to win the Champions Trophy themselves. In 2022-23 UCD once again won the EYHL and lost to Loreto in the final of the Champions Trophy. In 2023-24 Loreto has just won the EYHL and come up against a UCD side that they have beaten three times already this season. Twice in the EYHL and once in the Final of the Leinster Women’s Jacqui Potter Cup. Two of those defeats were comprehensive but the most recent League game was decided by a single goal in favour of Loreto. Could the students turn the tide in this game? Or would the bookies’ favourites confirm that faith?
Loreto dominated the early exchanges in the first quarter, forcing numerous penalty corners. From one such set piece, they were awarded a penalty stroke in the 9th minute which Hannah McLoughlin forced over the line despite the best efforts of Erika Gallagher who almost kept it out. 1-0 to Loreto. UCD went on in the closing minutes of the first quarter to spend long periods inside the Loreto 23 metre line but without anything to show for their efforts. Both sides had periods inside their opponent’s circle in quarter two, but Loreto increased their lead in the 24th minute when Yasmin Pratt fired to the net after a penalty corner was not properly cleared by the UCD defense. Hannah McLoughlin got her second goal of the game converting a 27th minute penalty corner to make it 3-0 to Loreto. Rachel Kelly converted a penalty corner in the 31st minute to make it 4-0 at half-time and it was effectively over as a contest. Yasmin Pratt got her second goal of the game converting a 43rd minute Penalty corner to make it 5-0. Rachel Kelly got her second goal of the game in the 58th minute from another converted penalty corner to make it 6-0. A Mia Jennings penalty corner in the 60th minute made the score 7-0 to Loreto. UCD weren’t prepared to give up without a fight and after a brief period of sustained pressure got on the scoresheet when Mikayla Power converted a 63rd minute Penalty corner to make the final score Loreto 7 UCD 1.
LORETO:- Liz Murphy; Caitlin Sherin; Lisa Mulcahy; Caoimhe Perdue; Hannah Matthews; Mia Jennings (C); Hannah McLoughlin; Christina Hamill; Siofra O’Brien; Yasmin Pratt; Rachel Kelly SUBS USED:– Lorna Bateman (GK) [67 MINS]; Grace Donald [4 mins]; Sarah Torrans [5 mins]; Aisling Murray [5 mins]; Grace McLoughlin [6 mins]; Ella Pasley [8 mins]; Katie Dunne [9 mins]
UCD: Erika Gallagher; Katie Jane Marshall; Emma Paul (C); Caoimhe Byrne; Sarah McAuley; Katharine Egan; Leah O’Shea, Ali Griffin; Lauren Moore; Anna McCarthy; Mikayla Power. SUBS USED:– Lauren Johnston [5 mins]; Aine Naughton [7 mins]; Sydney Weir McErlean [15 mins]; Anna Costello [27 mins]; Sarah Fogarty [60 mins]
RAILWAY UNION 1 CATHOLIC INSTITUTE 0
Railway Union who narrowly missed out on the Champions Trophy play offs in 2023, got a bye into the semi-finals by virtue of their 2nd place finish in the League Table. Third placed Catholic Institute recently qualified for their third consecutive Irish Senior Cup final in a row. Winning the Senior Cup in 2022 and beaten finalists last year. Catholic Institute qualified for the semi-final of the Champions Trophy by defeating Old Alexandra in the quarter-final last weekend. It was clear from the off, that both clubs’ coaches had done their homework on their opponents because it only took a single goal to decide the game. Catholic Institute defended well for most of the game and denied Railway Union many scoring opportunities and conceded very few penalty corners. Railway Union in turn, when necessary, also defended well from Catholic Institute counter attacks. The goal when it came for Railway Union was scored one of two ex-Catholic Institute players on this year’s team. Aebfhinn Burke got a goal in the 12th minute scoring into an empty net as Catholic Institute goalkeeper Pamela Smithwick-Hearne was deceived by the flight of an aerial pass from Sarah Patton which sailed over her as she advanced from her line leaving Burke with the easiest task of tapping the ball into the goal. Neither side had a worthwhile effort on target for the rest of the first half. it was 1-0 at half-time. The third and fourth quarters followed a similar type of pattern to the earlier ones and the score stayed the same at the final whistle. Railway Union will face Loreto in the final on Sunday.
RAILWAY UNION:– Emma Buckley; Orla Patton; Niamh Shaw; Lisa McCarthy; Roisín Upton; Michelle Carey; Sarah Hawkshaw; Sarah Patton; Emma Smith(C); Niamh Carey; Katie Mullan SUBS USED:- Katie Fearon [6 mins]; Orla Fox [6 mins]; Lily Lloyd [6 mins]; Katie Dillon [6 mins]; Saoirse Griffin [7 mins]; Aebfhinn Burke [8 mins]
CATHOLIC INSTITUTE: Pamela Smithwick -Hearne; Emilie Ryan-Doyle; Anna Horan; Eimear Ryan; Jennifer Clein; Ciara Moloney; Michelle Barrett; Aoife Hickey; Roisin Begley; Leah Clery; Naomi Carroll SUBS USED:- Laura Foley [5 mins]; Seodhna Dervan [6 mins]; Sarah Fitzgerald [6 mins]; Aoibheann Collins [11 mins]
MEN’S EY CHAMPIONS TROPHY SEMI-FINAL
BANBRIDGE 0 YMCA 0 [BANBRIDGE WIN 2-0 IN SHOOT OUT]
In this game both coaches successfully snuffed out one another’s game plan. There were very few difficult saves for either Mark Ingram (YMCA) or Luke Roleston (Banbridge) to make in their respective goals and perhaps for YMCA playing in their first game at this level their inexperience may have led to their less than adventurous approach. On the metrics that most people use to assess a match YMCA had more possession in a first half without creating any worthwhile opportunities or indeed creating penalty corners. In the second half Banbridge appeared to be on the face of it the better team forcing 3 penalty corners to only 1 for YMCA. Very few of the spectators present who witnessed this match were too surprised that the game remained scoreless and went to a shootout. 0-0 at full time, so it went to a shootout.
First up for Banbridge was Charlie Rowe whose effort was saved by YMCA goalkeeper Mark Ingram. 0-0. First up for YMCA was Ross Henderson who missed, and it remained 0-0. Second up for Banbridge was Luke Witherow whose effort was saved by YMCA goalkeeper Mark Ingram. Score is still 0-0. Second up for YMCA was Ian Perrott whose effort was saved by Banbridge goalkeeper Luke Roleston. Score is still 0-0. Third up for Banbridge was Louis Rowe who scored 1-0 to Banbridge. Third up for YMCA was Ben O’Grady who was forced to hit his shot wide by Banbridge goalkeeper Luke Roleston. Still 1-0 for Banbridge. Fourth up for Banbridge was Owen Magee, who’s effort was saved by YMCA goalkeeper Mark Ingram. Still 1-0 for Banbridge. Fourth up for YMCA was Sam Hyland whose initial effort hit the post and then missed the rebound. Still 1-0 for Banbridge
If Banbridge scored their next one they went through to the final. Fifth up for Banbridge was Mark Cowan who scored. Banbridge go through to the final on a 2-0 shootout win.
BANBRIDGE:-Luke Roleston (GK); Luke Witherow; Alexander Tinney (C); Jake Rowe; Charlie Rowe; Philip Brown; Mark Cowan; Mattew McKee; Louis Rowe; Sam Farson; Owen Magee SUBS USED: Thomas Orr [6 mins]; Hugh McShane [7 mins]; Thomas Dobson [8 mins]; Joshua Moffett [8 mins]; Ben Walker [8 mins]; Mark Barlow [10 mins]
YMCA:- Mark Ingram (GK); Ethan McInerney; Adam Walker; Tevin Kok, Ndudzo Lambethe (C); Scott Ruttle; Harry McCarthy; Ben O’Grady; Ross Henderson; Sam Hyland; Matthew Campton; SUBS USED: – TomPower[ 9 mins]; Grant Glutz [9 mins]; Edward Collinns [11 mins]; Ian Perrott [11 mins]; Matthew Walker [11 mins]
LISNAGARVEY 6 MONKSTOWN 1
These two sides had played out a very closely fought League game in recent weeks, but this particular game was anything but close. And it all began so well for Monkstown. Sam Hohn gave the Dubliners the lead in 13th minute with a goal from open play. Lisnagarvey equalised through captain Andrew Williamson in the 26th minute. Matthew Nelson gave Garvey the lead with a goal from open play in the 30th minute again from open play. 2-1 Lisnagarvey. Jonathan Lynch increased their lead in the 32nd minute also from open play to make it 3-1 Lisnagarvey. Andrew Williamson got his second goal of the game to make it 4-1 in the 42nd minute and then two goals from Daniel Nelson, the first a converted penalty corner in the 52nd minute and another from open play in the 55th minute completed the 6-1 rout. Lisnagarvey advance to the final of the Champions Trophy against Banbridge. On Saturday May 4th they will also meet up in the Irish Senior Cup Final in Dublin and have also a date with destiny in the Kirk Cup before the end of May.
LISNAGARVEY:– James Milliken (GK); James Lorimar; Mark McNelis; Peter McKibbin; Andrew Williamson (C); Daniel Nelson; James Corry; Ryan Getty; Jonathan Lynch; Matthew Nelson SUBS USED:– Andrew Edgar [7 mins]; Jonathan Bell [8 mins]; Ben Nelson [9 mins]; Oliver Kidd [ 9 mins]
MONKSTOWN:– David Fitzgerald (GK); Sam Hohn; Nicholas Dee; Lee Cole; David Carson; Jeremy Duncan; Daniel O’Donoghue; Stephen Cole; Geoff Cole; Karl Lynch; Keith Kenning; SUBS USED:- Alex Murphy [ 5 mins]; David Vincent [5 mins]; Theodore Kohlmann [9 mins]; Jason Lynch [11 mins] ; William Knatchbull [14 mins]
The EY Hockey League season is coming to its climax this weekend with the last four of the Champions Trophy for both Men and Women. Banbridge are the hosts with all matches taking place on the main pitch at Havelock Park. The action begins on Saturday at 10:30am with the first of the two Women’s Champions Trophy semi-finals.
Loreto, who are the current holders of the Champions Trophy and the recently crowned EYHL Division 1 winners, take on 2023 EYHL Division 1 winners UCD. In 2018, UCD won the EYHL Women’s League elite Division and Loreto denied them the Champions Trophy defeating UCD en route to winning the Trophy. In 2023, UCD also won the EYHL Women’s League elite Division and once again Loreto denied them the Champions Trophy defeating UCD en route to winning the trophy. In 2024 Loreto have won the EYHL Women’s League elite Division, on this occasion could UCD be the party poopers? The most recent league game was decided by the only goal, so this game is full of potential outcomes.
Railway Union who narrowly missed out on the Champions Trophy play-offs in 2023, got a bye into the semi-finals by virtue of their 2nd place finish in the League Table. Third placed Catholic Institute recently qualified for their third consecutive Irish Senior Cup final, winning the Senior Cup in 2022 and beaten finalists last year. Could Catholic Institute make the final? Their big game experience suggests it’s possible, but the excellent form of Railway Union this season suggests the opposite outcome is also highly likely. This game is very likely to be very close and go all the way to 1 v 1s.
In the men’s competition, YMCA surprised a lot of people by reaching the semi-final last weekend. They shouldn’t have been so surprised as YMCA’s form since Christmas has been excellent. Banbridge, EYHL Division 1 winners for the past two years and winners of the Champions Trophy in 2023, are also at home so would be most people’s favourites to advance. This game my well go to form but this is knockout hockey after all.
In the second semi-final Lisnagarvey who finished in 2nd place in the EYHL in both 2023 and 2024 take on a Monkstown side that beat highly fancied Glenanne in the quarter final. Monkstown go into this game with nothing to lose. Lisnagarvey have to take them on in a venue where they have enjoyed mixed results over the years. Lisnagarvey are justifiable favourites but Monkstown have caused upsets before and may do so again.
Sunday sees the Women’s final at 13:00 and the Men’s final will follow at 15:30. This event is ticketed, prices start at GBP 10 and can be purchased at the gate on arrival.
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Saturday 27th April 2024 |
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| Women – EYHL Champions Trophy Semi-Finals | |||||||||
| 10.30 | Loreto v University College Dublin
@ Havelock Park, Banbridge |
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| 12.30 | Railway Union v Catholic Institute
@ Havelock Park, Banbridge |
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| Men – EYHL Champions Trophy Semi-Finals | |||||||||
| 15.00 | Banbridge v YMCA
@ Havelock Park , Banbridge |
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| 17.00 | Lisnagarvey v Monkstown
@ Havelock Park, Banbridge |
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| Sunday 28th April 2024 | |||||||||
| Women – EYHL Champions Trophy Final | |||||||||
| 1.00 | @ Havelock Park, Banbridge | ||||||||
| Men – EYHL Champions Trophy Final | |||||||||
| 15.30 | @ Havelock Park, Banbridge | ||||||||
Women in Leadership Course
Hockey Ireland, in partnership with Rowing Ireland and Golf Ireland, are delighted to announce a new Women in Leadership course.
This course is aimed at women who want to be or are already in leadership/club committee roles within Hockey. It will empower women to take on leadership roles within the game and support the development of those already on their leadership journey.
This program will be delivered through a series of online interactive sessions and is aimed at women who want to be or are already in leadership/club committee roles within their clubs. It will empower women to take on leadership roles within the rowing community and support the development of those already on their leadership journey. The programme is in collaboration with Golf Ireland and Rowing Ireland, which gives participants the opportunity to network with other aspiring leaders within the sports industry.
The course will run online over 5 weeks from 7 pm to 8:30 pm, with the first session starting on the 12th of September and the final session held in-person on the 13th of October. If you are interested in attending the course, please download and fill out the application form on HERE and email the completed form to info@irelandhockey.sportlomo.com
Applications open from today, 22nd April, and close on 20th May.
EY HOCKEY LEAGUE MEN’S DIVISION 2 FINAL
AVOCA 4 PEMBROKE WANDERERS 4 (AVOCA WIN 4-1 IN SHOOT-OUT )
Avoca are the EYHL Men’s Division 2 Champions after this final in Garryduff in Cork. But they were made fight all the way to a shoot-out by Dublin rivals Pembroke Wanderers. Andrew Tutty opened the scoring for Avoca from open play in the 8th minute and they led 1-0. Pembroke Wanderers responded in the 22nd minute with a James Maginnis goal from open play to make it 1-1. Both sides were only on level terms for two minutes as Hayden Vaitekenas’ first goal of the game for Avoca gave them a 2-1 lead with another open play effort. Avoca led 2-1 at half-time. Pembroke Wanderers drew level early in the third quarter through Ross Breytenbach with an open play goal in the 37th minute to make it 2-2. Ross Breytenbach got his second goal of the game for Pembroke Wanderers in the 41st minute to put them 3-2 ahead. Avoca responded through another open play goal for Hayden Vaitenkenas to make it 3-3. Pembroke Wanderers’ Ross Breytenbach completed his hat-trick to put his side 4-3 ahead. But it wasn’t over yet as Avoca’s Marshall Puzey converted a penalty corner in the 65th minute to leave it 4-4 at full time. And so, it went to the 1 v 1 shoot outs.
Avoca took the first one through Harry Dagg who scored to make it 1-0 in the shoot-out. Stephen Tully took the first one for Pembroke Wanderers but was unsuccessful, so it remained 1-0. Marshall Puzey took the second one for Avoca and scored to make it 2-1 to Avoca in the shoot-out. Dechlan Bennett took the second one for Pembroke Wanderers and scored to make it 2-1 to Avoca. The third one for Avoca fell to Hayden Vaitenkenas who scored to make it 3-1 to Avoca. The third one for Pembroke Wanderers fell to David Lynch who failed to score so it was 3-1 for Avoca meaning if they scored their next one, they won. The fourth one for Avoca was scored by David Rankin to make it 4-1 to Avoca and they are crowned EYHL Men’s Division 2 Champions for 2023-24. The very big consolation prize for Pembroke Wanderers is that they too will join Avoca in the EYHL Men’s Division 1 for season 2024-25, which was their main target to achieve in the current season. So in a very real sense mission accomplished for both of these teams.
EYHL WOMEN’S DIVISION 2 FINAL
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK 0 ARDS 2
The Women’s final of the EYHL 2 may have taken place in the relatively familiar surroundings of Garryduff for University College Cork but they derived no “home” advantage from their relative lack of travel on the day. This game was decided by two penalty corners, one in the first quarter and the other in the final quarter. Emma Reid who gave the Ulster Women’s Premier League side the lead in the 12th minute with her first converted penalty corner of the match and it remained 1-0 at the break. It was nip and tuck in quarter three but again there was no further scoring. And just as it appeared that the goal scored in the first quarter might be the decider in this tie, Ards were awarded a penalty corner in the 67th minute which Emma Reid converted to get her second goal of the match and secure a 2-0 win for Ards, and they are the EYHL Women’s Division 2 Champions for 2023-24. But again, on this occasion there was a huge consolation price for U.C.C. because they too will be joining Ards in the EYHL Women’s Division 1 for season 2024-25, which was their main target to achieve in the current season. Promotion to EYHL Women’s Division 1 comes exactly 12 months after being relegated for Ards, and there will be three Ulster teams and two Munster teams in the Division next season.
EY HOCKEY LEAGUE DIVISON 1 MEN’S CHAMPIONS TROPHY QUARTER-FINALS
YMCA 1 THREE ROCK ROVERS 0
Two evenly matched sides from the Southside of Dublin were almost inseparable in this tie at Wesley College. A scoreless first half was followed by a scoreless third quarter. As the game wound down and seemed to be heading for a penalty shoot-out with only two minutes left on the clock Grant Glutz popped up from open play to finish to the net in the 68th minute, to grab the only goal of the game. Three Rock Rovers bow out and YMCA continue an impressive run which has now taken them into the final four of the Champions Trophy next weekend in Banbridge on a scoreline of YMCA 1 Three Rock Rovers 0.
GLENANNE 1 MONKSTOWN 2
All the goals in this game came in the opening 10 minutes. Monkstown took the lead in the 4th minute who scored from open play. Kevin Venter equalised in the 7th minute for Glenanne to make it 1-1. Monkstown captain Geoff Cole restored the visitor’s lead in the 12th minute to 2-1. After much of the possession and multiple runs at goal Monkstown stood firm until Glenanne were awarded a penalty stroke in the final minutes of this game. Now the odds are stacked heavily against the goalkeeper in penalty stroke situations and so Shane O’Donoghue was red hot favourite to grab an equaliser for Glenanne. But nobody told David Fitzgerald that. He dived to his left and saved the effort. Monkstown held out to win 2-1 and they qualified for the last four of the Champions Trophy in Banbridge next weekend.
EYHL DIVISION 2 MEN’S SEMI-FINALS
AVOCA 4 CORK HARLEQUINS 2
In the first of the Men’s EYHL 2 semi-finals Avoca eventually overcame Cork Harlequins to secure promotion into Men’s Division 1 for 2024-25 and of course secure a place in tomorrow’s final. Cork Harlequins took the lead through a John Whyte field goal in the 6th minute. Guy Sarratt equalised from a converted penalty corner in the 12th minute to make it 1-1. Cork Harlequins restored their lead through a converted penalty corner from John Hobbs in the 33rd minute. 2-1 to Harlequins. Daragh Grogan equalised for Avoca in the 40th minute to make it 2-2. Guy Sarratt got his second goal of the game in the 56th minute when he converted another penalty corner to give Avoca a 3-2 lead. Avoca secured their place in next seasons EYHL Men’s Division 1 as well as tomorrow’s final when Guy Sarratt completed his hat-trick in the 59th minute to secure a 4-2 win.
COOKSTOWN 1 PEMBROKE WANDERERS 2
Pembroke Wanderers won this semi-final in the second game of the morning at Garryduff in Cork by defeating Ulster Premier League winners Cookstown. In so doing they secured a place in the EYHL2 Final tomorrow afternoon but more importantly a return to EYHL Men’s Division 1 next season. Daniel Kerr gave Cookstown the lead with a converted penalty corner in the 9th minute. It was a lead they held until half-time. Mitchell Thompson equalised for Pembroke Wanderers in the 38th minute with a goal from open play to make it 1-1. Ross Breytenbach secured the win, promotion back to the EYHL 1, and a place in tomorrow’s final with a 68th minute field goal to make the final score 2-1.
EYHL DIVISON 1 WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS TROPHY QUARTER-FINALS
PEMBROKE WANDERERS 0 UCD 0 ( UCD WON 2-1 IN A SHOOT OUT)
Pembroke Wanderers who finished 4th in the League ended up playing against 5th placed UCD in this Champions Trophy quarter-final. UCD had won the Division last season and were denied the Champions Trophy by Loreto. This year following this result UCD have a chance to do unto others as they have been done to on two previous occasions. This was a very closely fought game between two very evenly matched sides meeting each other for the fourth time this season. The two league games ended in draws the only blip in the closeness of these two sides was in the Irish Senior Cup where UCD thumped Pembroke 4-0. This game was more like the two league encounters and both goalkeepers, Pembroke’s Aoife Glennon and UCD’s Erika Gallagher excelled in normal time, completing saves which kept their own sides in the game as well as denying the opposition. UCD were the dominant side in the final quarter and created numerous chances to score but overall, it was no real surprise when it ended scoreless. 0-0 and it went to a Shoot-out.
UCD took the first penalty and Ali Griffin had her effort saved by Aoife Glennon. Emily Beatty took the first penalty for Pembroke Wanderers and UCD goalkeeper Erika Gallagher forced her to put the ball wide. Mikayla Power took the second penalty for UCD and put the Students ahead 1-0. Pembroke Wanderers captain Ellen Curran put her effort wide again under pressure from UCD goalkeeper Erika Gallagher. Katie-Jane Marshall was next up for UCD and despite the best efforts of Aoife Glennon in the Pembroke Wanderers goal Marshall forced the ball over the line within the time allotted to put UCD 2-0 ahead. Up next for Pembroke Wanderers was Martha McCready and she scored her effort to make it 2-1 in the shoot-out to UCD. Leah O’Shea was up fourth for UCD and was forced to put her effort wide by Aoife Glennon, so it remained 2-1. Orla Macken was up fourth for Pembroke Wanderers and her effort was saved by UCD goalkeeper Erika Gallagher. The final penalty was taken by Sarah McAuley but in the 1 v 1 format the goalkeeper can have a bigger effect on the outcome during the 8 seconds time limit and Aoife Glennon forced her to shoot wide. The final effort from Pembroke Wanderers from Sinéad Loughran whose effort was saved by UCD goalkeeper Erika Gallagher. UCD advance to the Champions Trophy semi-final weekend in Banbridge.
PEMBROKE WANDERERS:- Aoife Glennon (GK); Martha McCready; Roisín Sexton; Eanna Horan; Emily Beatty; Orla Macken; Katie Murphy; Ellen Curran (C); Mila Fulton; Emma Young ; Sarah Young; Rachel O’Brien; Sally Campbell; Sinead Loughran; Isobel Field
UCD: Erika Gallagher; Leah O’Shea; Florence Maughan; Katie-Jane Marshall; Caoimhe Byrne; Ali Griffin; Sarah McAuley Lauren Moore; Mikayla Power; Anna Costello; Emma Paul (C); Anna McCarthy; Lauren Johnston; Aine Naughton; Katharine Egan; Sydney Weir McErlean
CATHOLIC INSTITUTE 3 OLD ALEXANDRA 1
Catholic Institute set themselves up for a potential double by reaching the Semi-finals weekend in the Champions Trophy which will take place next week in Havelock Park, Banbridge by defeating Old Alexandra in the quarter-final at Rosbrien. Ciara Moloney opened the scoring for Institute with a field goal in the 5th minute. Tory Byrne increased the lead for Catholic Institute in the 12th minute to make the score 2-0. Old Alexandra, who narrowly qualified for this quarter final on the basis of more League games won, got on the scoresheet through Abi Russell in the 66th minute from open play. It was 2-1 with four minutes remaining but Leah Clery removed any doubt by sealing the win for Catholic Institute with a 70th minute goal from open play to seal a 3-1 win. Catholic Institute will join the last four and take on Railway Union next Saturday in Banbridge.
EYHL DIVISION 2 WOMEN’S SEMI-FINAL
CORK HARLEQUINS 1 ARDS 2
In Garryduff the afternoon began with the first women’s EYHL 2 semi-final between Cork Harlequins and Ards. In the men’s semi-final earlier in the day Cork Harlequins men had failed to advance to tomorrow’s final. Unfortunately, their women’s team made it a double heart break by finishing on the wrong side of a 2-1 result. Ards took the lead through Rachel Houston from open play in the 19th minute. Cork Harlequins captain Michelle Barry equalised in the 22nd minute to make it 1-1. Rachel Houston scored her second goal from open play in the 34th minute to secure the victory by 2-1.
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK 3 BELFAST HARLEQUINS 1
UCC will be in the EYHL Women’s Division 1 next season after this 3-1 over Belfast Harlequins who face another season in the Ulster Premier League in 2024-25. Julia McCarthy opened the scoring when she converted a penalty corner in the 36th minute to make it 1-0 to UCC. Abi O’Mahony added a second goal in the 44th minute to put the students 2-0 ahead. Emma O’Sullivan made it 3-0 in the 54th minute. Emma Fraser got Belfast Harlequins on the scoresheet in the 69th minute with a converted penalty corner, but it proved to be only a consolation goal as UCC ran out 3-1 winners. Three Cork teams in the EYHL 2 semi-finals between men and women’s teams but only UCC got promoted.
IRISH MEN’S JUNIOR CUP SEMI FINAL
CORINTHIANS 6 RATHGAR 0
On Tuesday last Corinthians 2nds secured the Irish Men’s Junior Cup Final comfortably beating Rathgar by 6-0. Greg Williams got a hat-trick for the Reds and further goals from Andrew McCourt, Eli Breen and Callum McCourt ensured there would be silverware in the trophy cabinet for Corinthians again this season.
This weekend sees both the EY Hockey League Men’s and Women’s Division 1 Champions Trophy Quarterfinals, and the EYHL Division 2 Men’s and Women’s Play Off Finals.
EY Hockey League Men’s and Women’s Division 1 Champions Trophy Quarterfinals:
Last weekend, in the Women’s Division 1, we had a particularly tight playoff race with Ulster Elks and Old Alexandra finishing on the same number of League points as well as being dead level on goals for, against and goal difference. So, it came down to other criteria and the deciding factor was the number of League wins each team managed to get. Both teams had 22 League points, but Ulster Elks had 5 wins and Old Alexadra had 6 wins, and therefore took the 6th and final quarter-final playoff berth. Ulster Elks unfortunately in 7th place miss out on the Champions Trophy for this season.
The draw for the quarterfinals which is known in advance is that the 3rd placed team is at home to the 6th placed team. So, in the Men’s draw Glenanne host Monkstown and in the Women’s draw Catholic Institute host Old Alexandra. In the other quarterfinal, the 4th placed team host the 5th placed team. So, in the Men’s draw YMCA host Three Rock Rovers and in the Women’s draw, Pembroke Wanderers host UCD.
EYHL Division 2 Men’s and Women’s Play Off Finals:
Cork Church of Ireland will host this weekend’s EYHL 2 Play-Off Finals at Garryduff. Both of the semi-finals in both divisions take place on Saturday with both finals taking place on Sunday. All finalists, Men’s and Women’s, will be promoted to the EYHL Division 1 for season 2024-25.
For Avoca in the EYHL Men’s semi-final it’s a chance to qualify for the EYHL Division 1 for the first time in their history. For opponents Cork Harlequins, a chance to return a Munster team to the elite level for the first time in several years. Cookstown will be looking for a swift return to the topflight as will their Leinster opponents Pembroke Wanderers having suffered relegation in 2023.
For Ards in the Women’s semi-finals, it could also mark a swift return to the topflight having suffered relegation twelve months ago. Cork Harlequins are seeking a return to the topflight where they feel they belong. Harlequins won the Irish Senior Cup as recently as 2019. Belfast Harlequins were also relegated in 2023 and will be seeking a swift return to Division 1. For University College Cork, they will be seeking to join fellow universities UCD and UUJ (Ulster Elks) in the top division for the first time in the current season long format.
SATURDAY APRIL 20TH 2024
EYHL MEN’S DIVISION 2 SEMI-FINALS
AVOCA V CORK HARLEQUINS – 10:30 A.M. GARRYDUFF , CORK
COOKSTOWN V PEMBROKE WANDERERS – 12:30 P.M. GARRYDUFF , CORK
EYHL WOMEN’S DIVISION 1 QUARTER-FINALS
CATHOLIC INSTITUTE V OLD ALEXANDRA – 13:00 ROSBRIEN
PEMBROKE WANDERERS V UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN – 13:00 SERPENTINE AVENUE
EYHL MEN’S DIVISION 1 QUARTER-FINALS
GLENANNE V MONKSTOWN – 13:30 ST. ANDREW’S COLLEGE
YMCA V THREE ROCK ROVERS – 13:30 WESLEY COLLEGE
EYHL WOMEN’S DIVISION 2 SEMI-FINALS
CORK HARLEQUINS V ARDS – 15:00 GARRYDUFF, CORK
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK V BELFAST HARLEQUINS – 17:00 GARRYDUFF, CORK
SUNDAY APRIL 21ST 2024
EYHL MEN’S DIVISION 2 FINAL – 13:00 GARRYDUFF, CORK
EYHL WOMEN’S DIVISION 2 FIAL – 15:30 GARRYDUFF , CORK
Cork Church of Ireland will host this weekend’s EY Hockey League Division 2 Men’s and Women’s Play-Off Finals, tickets are now on sale.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS
The games take place at Garryduff, the home venue of CORK Church of Ireland hockey club. Both of the semi-finals in both divisions take place on Saturday with both finals taking place on Sunday. All finalists, Men’s and Women’s, will be promoted to the EYHL Division 1 for season 2024-25.
For Avoca in the EYHL men’s semi-final it’s a chance to qualify for the EYHL division 1 for the first time in their history. For opponents Cork Harlequins, a chance to return a Munster team to the elite level for the first time in several years. Cookstown will be looking for a swift return to the top flight as will their Leinster opponents Pembroke Wanderers having suffered relegation in 2023.
For Ards in the Women’s semi-finals , it could also mark a swift return to the top flight having suffered relegation twelve months ago. Cork Harlequins are seeking a return to the top flight where they feel they belong. Harlequins won the Irish Senior Cup as recently as 2019. Belfast Harlequins were also relegated in 2023 and will be seeking a swift return to the top flight. For University College Cork they will seeking to join fellow universities UCD and UUJ (Ulster Elks) in the top flight for the first time in the current season long format.
Ticket prices per day start at EUR 10 for concessions, EUR 15 for Adults with Under 15’s free of charge. Go to the link above to purchase your tickets. And given you can enjoy four games of hockey on Saturday and two on Sunday, represents excellent value for your outlay.
SATURDAY APRIL 20TH, 2024
EYHL DIVISION 2 MEN’S SEMI-FINALS
AVOCA V CORK HARLEQUINS – 10:30 A.M. GARRYDUFF , CORK
COOKSTOWN V PEMBROKE WANDERERS – 12:30 P.M. GARRYDUFF , CORK
EYHL DIVISION 2 WOMEN’S SEMI-FINALS
CORK HARLEQUINS V ARDS – 15:00 GARRYDUFF, CORK
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK V BELFAST HARLEQUINS – 17:00 GARRYDUFF, CORK
SUNDAY APRIL 21ST, 2024
EYHL MEN’S DIVISION 2 FINAL 13:00 GARRYDUFF, CORK
EYHL WOMEN’S DIVISION 2 FINAL 15:30 GARRYDUFF , CORK
