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Irish Senior Cup and Irish Hockey Trophy takes centre-stage

** Lisnagarvey’s James Corry lifts the 2020 men’s Irish Senior Cup. Picture: Adrian Boehm

In total, 32 national cup ties will take place across the island with the men’s and women’s Irish Senior Cup and Irish Hockey Trophy campaigns playing out on Saturday.

How strong the leading lights in the regional leagues are will be put to the test on Saturday in the men’s Irish Senior Cup as high-flying Cookstown make the trip to Railway Union in round two.

Captained by Greg Thompson, the Co Tyrone head the Ulster Premier table on goal difference, scoring 24 times in the process with Stu Smyth, Mark Crooks and Ryan Millar bringing experience to the table.

Railway, though, have been even more free-flowing having already scored more than 50 goals this term, including six against Mossley in round one of this cup and hitting double-figures twice with Mark English and Rob Abbott running riot.

It is one of two ties in the men’s competition not to feature an EYHL top tier side with Cork C of I against Bandon the other one.

Both have gone unbeaten after four rounds of the Munster top tier with C of I edging things by a point at this early stage with a perfect start to life under the now player-coach Jonny Bruton.

Jonny Spillane has also impressed since his arrival from Midleton while the addition of youth internationals Ian Balding and Rory Treacy from Waterford has given them a large panel to work with.

It is one which looks well equipped to make a charge for promotion back to the top tier of the EY Hockey League despite the departure of Kevin O’Dea to UCD.

For Bandon, the timeless Dave Smith continues to bang in the goals and, despite their young age, Ian Perrott, Karl Smyth and Ethan Hamilton-Foott have amassed lots of experience which they will aim to call on in this showdown.

Harlequins are the third Munster side involved at the last 16 stage but have the toughest draw on offer, travelling to Glenanne who have a perfect record of five wins from five in the top tier.

Quins did win 5-0 at Clontarf in round one but this will be a hard ask against an in-form opposition and they will need top gun Jack O’Meara to fire.

Elsewhere, in a quirk of the fixture list, both Three Rock Rovers will meet Corinthian and YMCA are up against UCD for the second time in a week. Rovers beat the reds in the EY Hockey League last Saturday 4-1 while the students drew with YM 3-3.

Reigning champions Lisnagarvey are huge favourites against Leinster side Rathgar, particularly with home advantage. Garvey were given Copenhagen as their destination for next June’s EuroHockey Challenge I campaign, placed in a group with Turkish, Slovenian and Croatian opposition.

Banbridge and Monkstown’s meeting at Havelock Park is undoubtedly one of the pick of the fixtures but both clubs could be without their international stars due to the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in Cardiff.

Another intriguing contest pits Annadale against Pembroke. The former have drawn four of their five league contests but there has to be a winner on the day with a shoot-out beckoning if it stays level.

But it will be potentially how they manage the free-scoring Pembroke captain Julian Dale which will could be the decisive factor at Lagan College; the Cork man has netted seven times in five games despite playing in a side who have only registered one point in the league.

UCD’s Ellen Curran lifts a socially-distanced Irish Senior Cup in 2020. Pic: Adrian Boehm

In the women’s competition, EYHL table-toppers Pegasus host Ulster Premier side Ulster Elks in a derby contest while, nearby, Queen’s welcome UCC – victors over Monkstown in round one – to the Dub with youth internationals Jessica McMaster and Caoimhe Perdue likely to lock horns.

Defensively, the Cork side have been superb, Perdue marshalling a side that has conceded just three times in five outings while Elva Kerr, Hilary Balding and Rebecca Kingston are also kicking on.

Harlequins will hope to find form against an impressive Pembroke. Eddie Gash’s side have not scored since the opening day of the campaign and will find things difficult against an impressive outfit who are a point off top spot in the EYHL.

Catholic Institute will be favourites when they meet Leinster Division One outfit Corinthian at Rosbrien but their opposition will not be taken lightly having gone unbeaten in Leinster thus far this season.

Indeed, they had already pinned down a promotion playoff spot in 2020 before the pandemic hit, denying them an opportunity to join the highest league.

Lisnagarvey will be eyeing a decent scalp when they face Muckross at Comber Road. Garvey, for their part, have 13 points out of 15 on their card and will relish this challenge against the EYHL side.

Banbridge – quarter-finalists in 2019 – are looking to reach that stage once again; they travel to Glenanne who are a resilient and battling outfit who will not make life easy.

Of the top tier sides in action, reigning champions UCD face Old Alex in a potential classic while Railway Union’s derby date with Loreto is another one to catch the eye, particularly if they can serve up the drama of their 2-2 league draw.

There is also a full series of 16 games across the men’s and women’s Irish Hockey Trophy competitions, making for a busy weekend across the island.

Saturday 16th October 2021
Men
Irish Senior Cup – Round 2: Annadale v Pembroke Wanderers, Lagan College, 2.30pm; Banbridge v Monkstown, Havelock Park, 3pm; Cork C of I v Bandon, Garryduff, 1pm; Glenanne v Cork Harlequins, St. Andrews, 1.15pm; Lisnagarvey v Rathgar, Comber Road, 3.30pm; Railway Union v Cookstown, Park Avenue, 1.15pm; Three Rock Rovers v Corinthian, Grange Road, 1pm; YMCA v UCD, Wesley College, 4pm

Irish Hockey Trophy – Round 1: Ashton v Portadown, Ashton School, 3pm; Avoca v South Antrim, Newpark, 12.30pm; Ballynahinch v Catholic Institute, St. Colmans HS, 1pm; Bangor v Kilkenny, Bangor Aurora, 2.30pm; Belfast Harlequins v UCC, Deramore Park, 2.30pm; Dublin North v Bray, National Sports Complex, Abbottstown, 1.45pm; NICS v Queens University, Stormont, 2.30pm; North Down v Newry, Londonderry Park, 2.45pm

Women
Irish Senior Cup – Round 2: Catholic Institute v Corinthian, Rosbrien, 2pm; Cork Harlequins v Pembroke Wanderers, Farmers Cross, 1.30pm; Glenanne v Banbridge, St Andrews 3pm; Lisnagarvey v Muckross, Comber Road, 1.30pm; Pegasus v Ulster Elks, Newforge Country Club, 1.30pm; Queens University v UCC, Malone Playing Fields, 12.45pm; Railway Union v Loreto, Park Avenue, 3.15pm; UCD v Old Alexandra, Belfield, 1pm

Irish Hockey Trophy – Round 1: Bray v Raphoe, Loreto Bray, 1pm; Clontarf v Rathgar, Mount Temple, 1pm; Greenfields v Bandon, Dangan, 2.30pm; Kilkenny v Armagh, Kilkenny, 2pm; North Kildare v North Down, The Maws, 2pm; Portadown v Mossley, Edenvilla, 2.30pm; Three Rock Rovers v Ashton, Grange Road, 3pm; YMCA v Galway, Wesley College, 1.45pm

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Irish cup draws for 2021/22 confirmed

The 2020/21 Hockey Ireland Cup Competition Draws took place on September 3rd at the Hockey Ireland offices. The details for the first and second round draws of the Irish Senior Cup, Irish Hockey Trophy, Irish Hockey Challenge and Irish Junior Cups are below. The subsequent rounds will be drawn at a later date.

Men’s Irish Senior Cup

Round 1   2nd Oct’21
Match # Team V Team
1 Rathgar Portrane
2 Railway Mossley
3 Bandon Kilkeel
4 Clontarf Cork Harlequins
5 Cookstown Instonians
Round 2   16th Oct’21
Match # Team V Team
6 Railway Union Cookstown
7 Annadale Pembroke
8 Lisnagarvey Rathgar
9 Banbridge Monkstown
10 Cork CofI Bandon
11 YMCA UCD
12 TRR Corinthian
13 Glenanne Cork Harlequins
 Quarter Finals   27th Nov ‘21
Match # Team V Team
QF 1 Monkstown YMCA
QF 2 Glenanne Cork CofI
QF 3 Pembroke Cookstown
QF 4 TRR Lisnagarvey
  Semi Finals 27th Mar ’22

Women’s Irish Senior Cup

Round 1   2nd Oct’21
Match # Team V Team
1 Monkstown UCC
2 Ulster Elks Ballymoney
3 Banbridge Ards
4 Queens Cork CofI
5 DULHC Corinthian
Round 2   16th Oct’21
Match # Team V Team
6 Pegasus Ulster Elks
7 Queens UCC
8 Glenanne Banbridge
9 Cork Harlequins Pembroke
10 Lisnagarvey Muckross
11 Catholic Institute Corinthian
12 UCD Old Alex
13 Railway Loreto
Quarter Finals   27th Nov ‘21
Match # Team V Team
QF 1 Muckross Pegasus
QF 2 Queens Pembroke
QF 3 Banbridge Catholic Institute
QF 4 UCD Railway
Semi Finals   27th Mar ‘22

 

Men’s Irish Hockey Trophy

Round 1   16th Oct’21
Match # Team V Team
1 Ballynahinch Catholic Institute
2 Dublin North Bray
3 Belfast Harlequins UCC
4 Bangor Kilkenny
5 Ashton Portadown
6 NICS Queens
7 Avoca   South Antrim
8 North Down Newry

 

  Round 2   6th Nov‘21
Match # Team V Team
QF 1 Dublin North Queens
QF 2 Catholic Institute Portadown
QF 3 North Down Belfast Harlequins
QF 4 South Antrim Bangor
Semi Finals
 19th Feb ‘22

 

Women’s Irish Hockey Trophy

Round 1   16th Oct’21
Match # Team V Team
1 Clontarf Rathgar
2 Portadown Mossley
3 Greenfields Bandon
4 YMCA Galway
5 TRR Ashton
6 Kilkenny Armagh
7 Bray Raphoe
8 North Kildare North Down
  Round 2   6th Nov‘21
Match # Team V Team
9 CI Ladies Ashton
10 YMCA Waterford
11 Mossley Raphoe
12 Clontarf Belvedere
13 Genesis Our ladys
14 Bandon NUIG
15 Avoca North Kildare
16 Dungannon Armagh
Quarter Finals 27th Nov ‘21
Match # Team V Team
QF 1 winner of match 14 winner of match 15
QF 2 winner of match 13 winner of match 10
QF 3 winner of match 9 winner of match 12
QF 4 winner of match 11 winner of match 16
  Semi Finals 19th Feb ‘22

Men’s Irish Junior Cup

Round 1 30th Oct’21
Match # Team V Team
1 Kilkeel Bandon
2 UCD Bangor
3 Corinthian Cork CofI
4 TRR YMCA
5 North Down Avoca
6 Cork Harlequins Instonians
7 Cookstown Rathgar
8 Railway South Antrim
     
Round 2 13th Nov‘21
       
Match # Team V Team
9 Railway Union Mossley
10 North Down Lisnagarvey
11 Clontarf Pembroke
12 Glenanne Cookstown
13 Corinthian YMCA
14 Kilkeel Bangor
15 Banbridge Instonians
16 Monkstown Annadale
QF 22nd Jan ‘21
SF 13th Mar’21


Women’s Irish Junior Cup

Round 1   30th Oct’21
Match # Team V Team
1 Avoca Cork CofI
2 Corinthian Lisnagarvey
3 Monkstown Genesis
4 UCC Ashton
5 Ulster Elks Catholic Institute
6 UCD Old Alex
     
Round 2 13th Nov‘21
       
Match # Team V Team
7 Muckross Monkstown
8 Old Alex Ashton
9 DULHC Corinthian
10 Ulster Elks Railway
11 Pembroke Pegasus
12 Loreto Belfast Harlequins
13 Ballymoney Queens
14 Cork Harlequins Avoca
QF 22nd Jan ‘21
SF 13th Mar’21

Women’s Irish Hockey Challenge

Round 1   9th Oct’21
Match # Team V Team
1 Kilkeel Bangor
2 Galway 2 Athlone
3 Skerries NICS
4 Botanic NUIG 2
5 Blackrock Clonmel
6 Cork Wanderers Tipperary
7 Wicklow Limerick
     
Round 2 11th Dec‘21
Match # Team V Team
8 Athlone Weston
9 NICS Mullingar
10 Greenfields 2 Bangor
11 NUIG Portrane
12 Wexford Kilkenny
13 Clonakilty Gorey
14 Enniscorthy Cork Wanderers
15 Blackrock Wicklow
QF   22nd Jan ‘21
SF   26th Feb’21

Men’s Irish Hockey Challenge

Group 1       Group 2     Group 3
Galway Wicklow Antrim
Limerick Naas Armagh
Mullingar Waterford Portrush
Midleton Saintfield
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Hockey Ireland COVID-19 Update December 30th

Hockey Ireland Coronavirus (COVID-19) UPDATE regarding Government Announcement on Changes to COVID-19 Restrictions.

30th December 2020

The following changes have been made to the Hockey Ireland Covid-19 guidelines given the latest announcement on Covid-19 restrictions made by the Irish (ROI) Government.

Under Level 5, individual training only is permitted, within a 5km radius of an individual’s home. No matches or group training sessions are to take place.

The exemptions to this are Elite sports*.

Elite sports are permitted to continue behind closed doors. For Hockey this has been defined as the National Senior Men’s and Women’s Programmes. They are permitted to train and play behind closed doors.

*Please note: This category has been defined by the ‘Return to Sport Expert Group’ which has been established by the ROI government to provide guidance to Ireland’s sporting bodies to prepare for the phased return to sporting activity.

Competition/matches may not be played at any level.

December 30th 2020 Covid Update

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Return to Hockey Update 20th November 2020

Hockey Ireland would like to thank all of our clubs for ensuring that Government imposed restrictions on our sport are being followed in order to contribute to the reduction of the spread of Covid-19.

While it is hoped that the Republic of Ireland will move to a lower Level of restrictions in the coming weeks, at this moment Hockey Ireland do not know what the next Level of restrictions on sport will be. Ulster Hockey is also carefully monitoring the situation in Northern Ireland.

The EYHL Working Group and the Board of Hockey Ireland have met this week and discussions have taken place in relation to returning to competitive hockey as soon as possible.

The EYHL working group has prepared three clear scenarios. The first and most positive option would be that we would be able to use two dates (the 12th and 19th of December) for EYHL rounds, but this is only possible if training can resume in early December.

The Board has given guidance to be as flexible as possible in the approach to the playing calendar.  The Hockey Ireland COVID-19 Group, which includes representatives of the Branches, will reconvene next week and discuss the various options and any feedback that the clubs may have is welcome through the Branches.

Where restrictions are not lifted for the Island of Ireland in the beginning of December, the two other scenarios would be to consider re-starting competitive hockey in early January or later in January. The option of a ‘curtailed’ season may also to be considered if the restrictions continue into 2021 or new restrictions are imposed later in the season.

We will keep you updated as soon as we have more information. In the meantime, Hockey Ireland would like to re-iterate to our members our desire to facilitate a return to competitive hockey as soon as it is possible to do so safely.

 

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Irish Hockey Trophy Opening Round Postponed

Following a Board meeting last night the decision has been made to postpone the first round of the Irish Hockey Trophy which was due to be played on Saturday 10th October.

These games will now take place on Saturday, 14th November.

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Men’s Irish Junior Cup Final, Lisnagarvey V Corinthians, Match Report

Men’s Irish Junior Cup Final, Lisnagarvey V Corinthians

27 Sep. 20

 

Lisnagarvey 0, Corinthians 1 (C Adair).

Corinthian’s Max Neil provided the first bit of excitement with a shot on the hosts’ James Ritchie, as the Irish Junior Cup got underway in Lisnagarvey this afternoon. Ritchie saved well to keep prevent the visitors taking an early lead, with penalty corners for both sides in the opening quarter also failing to convert to progress on the scoreboard.

Ryan Getty rounded the Corinthians defence nicely to shoot across the goal in search of a blue jersey who might complete the task, however the ball rolled just out of reach and Corinthians succeeded in defending the goal but give away a penalty corner in the process. Irwin’s flick finds George Dagg’s instead of the goal, and the subsequent rebound leads to another penalty corner for the hosts. The following attempt is also defended and Corinthians push the threat back out of danger for a brief period.

Harry Scott and Oliver Patterson had a series of lovely passes midfield to bring them back into the Corinthians circle, resulting in another penalty corner for the hosts. Blennerhassett and MacWilliam defend well to keep Lisnagarvey from taking a lead, with the quarter ending shortly after with the sides level 0 – 0.

Mark Raphael hit the ball wide for Lisnagarvey in the second quarter, while Harry Scott also managed to penetrate the Corinthians’ circle and shoot across it but there’s no one available in blue to receive it. The opening goal came from Corinthian’s Callum Adair, a pass across the Lisnagarvey goal provided him the perfect opportunity to slip the ball in behind the keeper to give Corinthian’s the lead.

A skilful run by MacKay saw Corinthians challenge again shortly afterwards, resulting a penalty corner. Glenn Holmes flicked towards goal, but found Ritchie’s pad, with the rebound being pushed out of play. Lisnagarvey were quick to attack after this, with Jacob Hermon’s shot finding Lewis’s pad and Corinthian’s resuming possession. The umpires whistle narrowly prevented Max Wright from extending Corinthian’s lead. Lisnagarvey began applying pressure with the clock counting down to half time, with Matthew Campton creating a chance to shoot in the final second of the game, however the half-time score remained Lisnagarvey 0 – 1 Corinthians.

Lisnagarvey continued to push for an equaliser in the second half. Aughney’s shot across the Corinthian goal resulted in a penalty corner for the hosts, however Getty’s insertion provided the perfect opportunity for Corinthians to play the ball back up the pitch quickly. Aughney was back in the Corinthian’s circle again shortly afterwards, however this time his attempts are forced out by the defence. Glenn Holmes had a forceful shot defended at the opposite end of the pitch, but the score remained the same, with Lisnagarvey’s defence proving strong.

Lisnagarvey brought a frantic energy to the final quarter, however Howard and MacKay made nuisances of themselves for the attacking hosts, preventing a number of attempts into the Corinthians circle from becoming real opportunities. Both Scott and Aughney found themselves in a position to possibly create an opportunity for their team, however Scott’s pass across the circle failed to find a receiving player, while Aughney’s skill in the Corinthians circle couldn’t convert to putting Lisnagarvey on the scoreboard.

A penalty corner for Lisnagarvey saw McQueen’s shot helped wide by the Corinthian defence. The final three minutes saw Lisnagarvey take their keeper off to increase their outfield numbers. Despite securing another penalty corner in the closing minutes, it wasn’t enough to secure a goal with Corinthians taking home the Irish Junior Cup for the 2019/20 season.

Lisnagarvey: R Boreland, H Morris, M Campton, M Morris, R Getty, C Irwin, M Connor, J Hermon, S McCabe, M Aughney, P Watson, H Scott, O Patterson, M Raphael, S McQueen, P Hunter, S Chisholm, J Ritchie.

Corinthians: J Lewis, A Blennerhassett, C Adair, G Dagg, R Howard, C Mackay, G Holmes, M Neil, M Wright, A Browne, M McCabe, H Ellis, G Davis, R MacWilliam, E Mackay, D Winm, A Missen, N Young.

 

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Women’s Irish Trophy Final, Lisnagarvey V North Kildare.

Women’s Irish Trophy Final, Lisnagarvey V North Kildare.

27 Sep. 20

Lisnagarvey 3 (M Quinn, Z Lowry, B Ravey) North Kildare 1 (L Small)

Lisnagarvey got the match underway with a penalty corner in the opening two minutes of the Irish Trophy Final today in their home ground at Comber Road. However, their first attempt was unsuccessful against North Kildare’s defence. North Kildare’s Michelle Taylor was on form from the start with a number of great saves throughout the match, first from Lisnagarvey’s Megan Quinn followed soon after by Beth Ravey, with the rebound well defended by Kildare in the second instance.

Isabel Angel had Kildare’s first real chance of the match, however her shot in to the Lisnagarvey circle failed to find her teammates. Ravey was quick to seize another opportunity to shoot on the Kildare goal but sent it wide of the target. Megan Quinn was on hand moments later to put the opening goal on the scoreboard and give the hosts a 1 – 0 lead.

A penalty corner shortly after for Lisnagarvey failed to extend their lead with Taylor and the Kildare defenders protecting the goal well. A perfect cross into Lowry in the circle let her touch the ball in for Lisnagarvey to extend their lead to 2 – 0 in the opening quarter of the game.

Lisnagarvey had several chances to extend their lead in the second quarter with a handful of penalty corners awarded in their favour. Each one was kept out by Taylor and the Kildare defence. Kildare fought for a number of challenges throughout the quarter, but no real opportunities were created. The third quarter saw a flurry of penalty corners awarded to Lisnagarvey in quick succession. While Lisnagarvey seemed to dominate possession, Kildare defended well to ensure their lead was not extended any further.

Ravey’s shot on the Kildare goal in the final quarter was well saved by Taylor, however the rebound saw Taylor on the ground while the goal was being defended. A perfect pass across the Kildare defence let Ravey slot Lisnagarvey’s final goal into the goal. A penalty corner to North Kildare with four minutes on the clock saw Liz Hassett insert and Lucy Small drive the ball into the goal to put Kildare in the scoreboard at last. The goal saw Kildare come to life again and fight to the end, putting on pressure on Lisnagarvey until the final whistle, however this renewed energy arrived to late and the hosts kept their two goal lead for a final score of Lisnagarvey 3 – 1 Kildare.

 

Lisnagarvey: L Crooks, R Chambers, L Patterson, C McCluskey, D McGall, P Brown, L Murray, L Hughes, Z Lowry, E Brown, K Morris, B Ravey, M Quinn, A Christie, T McIlwaine.

Kildare: M Taylor, E Neary, G Adams, N O’Malley, R Neary, E Teevan, A O’Leary, H Adams, S Baker, J Staunton, K Edghill, S Monaghan, C O’Regan, L Hassett, L Small, I Angel, A Quinn, S Simao.

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Hockey Ireland Cup Competition Finals – 27th September 2020

This Sunday will see Lisnagarvey Hockey Club host two more Hockey Ireland Cup Competition Finals in a double header format with Lisnagarvey teams facing North Kildare and Corinthian Hockey Clubs.

1.30pm will be push back time for the Irish Hockey Trophy final between Lisnagarvey and North Kildare. North Kildare are coming into the match fresh from their semi final last weekend where they beat Portadown 2-1 while Lisnagarvey saw off opponents Armagh 5-0 in a very strong performance at the beginning of the month.

4.00pm will see action between Lisnagarvey 2 XI and Corinthian 2 XI in the Irish Junior Cup Final. With the semi finals taking place back in February this will be a strongly contended match between the two teams. Corinthian Hockey Club won their place in the final after a tight shootout against Three Rock Rovers where they took the match 4-3 but Lisnagarvey saw off their Semi final opponents Clontarf with a strong 6-2 win.

Both matches are sure to be tightly contended and a show of excellent hockey.

Tickets are available for the matches on the Lisnagarvey Website https://lisnagarveyhockey.com/hi-finals-2019-20/

Due to Covid19 Restrictions we are unable to provide Hard Copy Programmes for our Cup Competition Finals this year. Instead we have an online PDF programme below will can be downloaded or viewed by phone/tablet or printed at home.

Hockey Ireland Cup Competition Finals 27 September 2020 Programme.pdf

Good luck to all the teams competing this Sunday at the Hockey Ireland Cup Competition Finals and thank you to Lisnagarvey for the hard work and immense effort they have put in to making these finals a safe place to watch and play hockey.

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Irish Junior Cup, Women’s, Match Report. Old Alex V Pembroke Wanderers.

Irish Junior Cup, Women’s, Match Report. Old Alex V Pembroke Wanderers.

20/9/2020

Old Alex 0, Pembroke Wanderers 3 (T Wensley, R Scott, A De Joung).

“It means so much to us,” said Pembroke Wanderers Co-Captain Anouk De Joung as the team took home the Women’s Irish Junior Cup for the 2019/20 season today in Belfield. “We’ve been working super hard and it just feels amazing to finally win it. The team has done everything we could, we’ve been training so hard after the long break, they’re so fit, so eager, so disciplined.  I think we deserve it.”

Old Alex played well throughout, not making it easy for the Pembroke side to take home the Cup. The first chance of the game came from Old Alex, narrowly avoiding getting themselves on the scoreboard as the ball hit the cross bar. Pembroke weren’t long creating an opportunity for themselves, with a penalty corner awarded in their favour moments later. However, Nugent saved well for Old Alex, and the rebound was pushed out with Old Alex immediately launching a challenge on Pembroke’s Pert at the opposite end of the pitch, who kept her cool to kick the ball out of danger.

The first goal of the game came when Rachael Scott fired a shot into the Old Alex circle to eventually find Tori Wensley who slipped it past Nugent who had already dived to defend the goal. Old Alex pressed hard for the remainder of the quarter, with Joyce Leyden shooting the ball into Pembroke’s circle in the final 30seconds of the quarter. Unfortunately, the Alex player’s closest were too far out to make more of this opportunity and the ball rolled wide of the goal.

Some lovely interceptions from Robyn Heatherington and Elaine Thompson saw possession continue to switch back and forward in the opening minutes of the second quarter. A penalty corner for Old Alex was thwarted as the Pembroke defence prevented Ellen Hood from finding an Old Alex player with a clearer shot on the goal. Pembroke’s Fiona O’Donovan was immediately on the attack after this, getting right up to the Old Alex circle before Fiona Walshe managed to keep her out. Katie O’Byrne and Rachael O’Brien worked well together to challenge Old Alex again before being intercepted by Rachel Hinkson. Although it wasn’t long before Pembroke were in possession again, with Alex Purcell breaking into the Old Alex circle forcing them to defend.

A shot from Elaine Thompson later in the quarter looked promising for Pembroke however, went just wide of the goal keeping the score Old Alex 0 – 1 Pembroke Wanderers. Rachael Scott was on hand soon afterwards intercepting the ball from Old Alex, passing off to Emma Keilthy to enter the Old Alex circle. Keilthy skillfully moved around Ella Healy and pass back to Scott who managed to get the ball past Old Alex’s Nugent who had moved out of the goal to defend against Keilthy’s threat, increasing Pembroke’s lead. A penalty corner to Pembroke was the final play of the first half, with De Joung securing another goal to make it Old Alex 0 – 3 Pembroke Wanderers.

The second half was marked by a number of chances for Old Alex in particular with several penalty corners awarded in their favour. However, each time Louise Pert and the Pembroke defence forced them away from the goal. Old Alex continued to press throughout the second half, fighting the whole way to the end to get on the score board. A Green Card for Tori Wensley in the final quarter provided some hope, but ultimately Old Alex failed to capitalise on the opportunity of having an extra player on the pitch for the two minute period. Despite their efforts and the strong energy the brought to the match throughout, the final score remained Old Alex 0 – 3 Pembroke Wanderers.

“We were sharp we were on the ball and we got the job done,” said Co-Captain Fiona O’Donovan, “it’s a credit to Simon Kristian and the girls. We were ready for it and we are ready for the start of the season. It was great to do it under the unusual circumstances.”

Old Alex: C Nugent, L Noble, E Hood, A Maher, J Leyden, L Power, F Walshe, N Dockery, R Heatherington, A Heatherington, Y Rogers, M Power, G Dunlop, R Hinkson, S O’Mahony Gilsenan, E Healy, A Sadlier, C Crampton.

Pembroke Wanderers: L Pert, C Devane, C Byrne, A Purcell, L Johnson, F O’Donovan, S Daly, K McErlean, E Thompson, C Hill, N Douglas, E Keilthy, R O’Brien, T Wensley, A De Jong, R Scott, K O’Byrne, J Beatty, E Pasley, A Lynch.

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Irish Senior Cup, Men’s, Match Report. Lisnagarvey v UCD.

Irish Senior Cup, Men’s, Match Report. Lisnagarvey v UCD.

19/9/2020

Lisnagarvey 3 (B Nelson (2), A Williamson) UCD 2 (A Meates, S Byrne).

Hosts Lisnagarvey have won the Men’s Irish Senior Cup for the 2019/20 season in an exciting 3-2 win over a strong UCD’s Men’s team. The Lisnagarvey club have previously won the prestigious Irish Senior Cup a total of 23 times, and will now add their names to it for a 24th time since the Cup came into existence in 1894.

The game started at an incredible pace with Lisnagarvey’s Ben Nelson securing the opening goal of the game within the first 90 seconds. However, UCD’s Andrew Meates secured the equaliser before the clock had reach two and half minutes. UCD pressed hard and were awarded a Penalty Corner at 8minutes. The insertion from David Nolan provided Guy Sarratt with a shot on Lisnagarvey’s James Milliken, who saved it well with the rebound from Nolan going wide. UCD created a number of opportunities for themselves in the opening quarter, however the Lisnagarvey defence kept the score level as first quarter ended.

UCD took the lead in the second quarter with a goal from Sam Byrne. An aerial pass from Meates coming in close to the goal saw Sarratt attempt to knock it in, hitting the post, and Byrnes finishing the job on the rebound to give UCD the lead. A Green Card for Lisnagarvey’s Chambers saw UCD take advantage of their brief spell with an extra player. Attacking again, Sarratt crossed to Murphy for a shot on Milliken, resulting in a Penalty Corner for UCD. An early break in the Lisnagarvey line resulted in a repeated Penalty Corner with one less defender in place, however Sarratt’s shot was well saved by James Milliken again. Despite UCD dominating play in the second quarter, Lisnagarvey finished the first half with a run from Daniel Nelson creating an opportunity for Harry Morris. The shot went wide with the half-time score remaining Lisnagarvey 1 – 2 UCD.

Lisnagarvey found their rhythm in the second half. A Penalty Corner shot from James Corry going just wide, followed shortly afterwards by another attack from McNelis and Chambers in the UCD circle. UCD manage to clear their lines, however Lorimer, Lynch and Bell ensured play remained in the UCD half. Despite the level of pressure from the hosts UCD defended well with possession swapping regularly between the two teams.

Sarratt secured a brief reprieve for UCD with a run into Lisnagarvey’s half, however this was quickly intercepted and Lisnagarvey were back again posing a threat to UCD’s circle. A pass from Bell to Aughey into the circle was resulted in a free out for UCD. Empey lost control of the ball giving Lisnagarvey possession again. A long drive from Lorimer in UCD’s circle was saved but not put out of danger. UCD defended well but Lisnagarvey kept possession for another shot by Lorimer, this time kicked clear by UCD Keeper Max Maguire.

A Green Card for Lorimer gave UCD a short respite. Their two minute 11 to 10 man advantage saw Alex Flynn and Peter Lynch both create opportunities to increase their lead, however these were kept out by Lisnagarvey defence. A final shot coming from UCD’s Ewan Ramsey was cleared by James Milliken, keeping the score Lisnagarvey 1 – 2 UCD at the close of the third quarter.

A Yellow Card for Lisnagarvey’s Andrew Edgar with 13 minutes to go did nothing to help UCD increase their lead. Nelson and Chambers managed to bring the ball into the UCD circle, with Nelson eventually securing the equaliser despite Lisnagarvey being a man down. Lisnagarvey continued to push, and an infringement on Nelson in the UCD circle saw a Penalty Corner awarded to the hosts, although the ensuing shot was blocked.

Andrew Williamson secured the final goal for Lisnagarvey, breaking into the UCD circle and coming within feet of the goal to push it in. UCD continued to work hard for the remainder of the game to secure an equaliser, with a Penalty Corner in the final two minutes the biggest opportunity to do so. The insertion from Nolan provided Sarratt with a chance to drag flick towards the goal, however Milliken tipped the ball to bounce it off the post, maintaining the Lisnagarvey lead.

The game remained exciting to the final whistle. With 30 seconds left on the clock, Nelson broke through the UCD circle and was met by UCD’s Andrew Tutty who’s interaction with Nelson secured him a Yellow Card, and a Penalty Corner for Lisnagarvey. In what must have been an attempt to run out the clock Lisnagarvey played the ball towards the back corner and another Penalty Corner is awarded in the short burst of play that followed. The Penalty Corner was awarded in the final second of the game with the win now secured for the hosts. The final play of the game saw Lorimer hit the post and the rebound sent wide for the final score of Lisnagarvey 3 – 2 UCD.

Lisnagarvey: J Lorimer, J Lynch, J Bell, M McNellis, J Corry, R Getty, A Williamson, B Nelson, H Morris, D Nelson, M Aughey, M Morris, C Chambers, A Edgar, M Milliken, M Connor, P Hunter, J Milliken, T Chambers, P Watson, J Ritchie.

UCD: M Maguire, J Pullen, A Flynn, A Keane, C Empey, A Tutty, A Meates, D Nolan, J Henry, M Samuel, P Lynch, G Sarratt, C Murphy, E Ramsay, J Guilfoyle, S Wells, S Byrne, I De Boe Agnew

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