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UCD and Loreto miss chance to take the lead in EY Hockey League

UCD – 2  Loreto – 2

 

It was a two top clash in the EY Hockey League between UCD and visitors Loreto at Belfield this afternoon; an enthralling fixture played in miserable conditions that could go a long way to deciding who lifts the trophy at the end of the season. At the beginning of the day, UCD and Loreto, along with Catholic Institute, sat at the top of the table on 28 points.

UCD began the brighter of the two teams, finding space to attack through Eva Lavelle in midfield who broke through the Loreto press a number of times. The Carey sisters, Michelle and Niamh, looked dangerous on the break and Katherine Egan looked sprightly as well. But it was Loreto who broke the deadlock through a well taken penalty corner strike from Caitlin Sherin. Her slightly lifted effort was further lifted by the UCD first runner, who deflected it up and over her own goalkeeper.

The second quarter saw UCD draw level when Egan got on the end of an excellent through ball from Lavelle. Loreto thought they had averted the danger when goalkeeper Alannah Carragher saved Egan’s reverse stick effort, but the ball fell to Leah O’Shea who made no mistake to make the game even again.

At the beginning of the second half, we saw both midfields looking to make an impact on the game, Sarah Torrans and Christina Hamill from Loreto and Hannah McLoughlin from Loreto particularly effective at pushing their teams forward. There were penalty corners for both teams, with neither able to make their set pieces count.

It was in an exciting final quarter that the game opened up. Again, Loreto’s goalkeeper Carragher saved well only to find she had directed the ball to a UCD stick. This time it was Egan who found herself with the ball on her stick, the UCD forward taking a touch before a quickly taken reverse shot put her team in front.

However, Loreto were not kept quiet for long. After winning another penalty corner, the visitors turned to Sherin who was on the mark again from the top of the circle – the sheer power of the shot helping the ball into the right corner of the goal and Loreto were level again.

It was a niggly fixture, with both teams shipping green cards on regular occasions, but it was UCD who found themselves down to 10 players for the final four minutes when they had a player given a yellow card in the dying minutes. Loreto piled on the pressure but the home team held strong to claim an all-important point, and prevent Loreto from taking all three as it finished UCD two, Loreto two.

 

Elsewhere:

Catholic Institute could not make the most of the draw between their close rivals, Ards frustrating them by keeping them to a draw with the score finishing at two goals apiece. Indeed, it seemed to be the score line of the day as the tie between Monkstown and Pembroke Wanderers also finished in a draw, both teams scoring two goals.

 

Railway Union suffered an agonizing loss at the hands of the chasing Old Alex who made up valuable ground on the leaders as they came from two goals to one down to win 3-2. Pegasus against Belfast Harlequins was postponed and will be rescheduled.

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UCD absorb the pressure and go top of EYHL Women’s Division 1

EYHL Division 1 Match report, 4th March, 2023

OLD ALEXANDRA   1    UCD  2  

UCD prepared for this game with a rearranged fixture on Thursday night against Railway Union . At the end of quarter three they found themselves trailing 0-2 and looking like crashing to defeat . A barnstorming fourth quarter that saw Railway Union reduced to 9 players for a period due to two green cards saw them comeback to secure a 3-2 victory and go into this encounter with Old Alexandra level on points with League leaders Loreto.  Old Alex  were missing key players.  Emilie Ryan Doyle was absent from the hosts defence and experienced player Jeamie Deacon also missed out through injury. Old Alexandra had prepared for this game with a busy weekend last time out. They bowed out of the Jacqui Potter Cup at the semi-final stage, losing 1-4 to Loreto on Sunday,  having beaten Pegasus 2-0 the previous day to maintain their EYHL League title challenge.

At Alexandra College the students got off to a fantastic start taking the lead after only 5 minutes when Katharine Egan finished to the net. It was 1-0 at the end of the first quarter.  UCD forced to penalty corners early in the second quarter   but the second of these only went behind for a hit out to Old Alexandra. Nicola Evans thought she had scored the equaliser only to see her effort ruled out by the umpire.  Instead  it was UCD who increased their lead in the second quarter  in the 32nd minute when Ali Griffin tapped home following some brilliant approach play from Eva Lavelle.

It was 0-2 at the break.

Old Alexandra went into the third quarter with a bit more intensity and sense of urgency and Jessica McGirr was on a green card in the 49th minute. Despite this they went on to win a penalty corner and the second consecutive corner saw Old Alexandra finally get on the scoreboard.  The opening shot was parried by UCD goalkeeper Norah McGinty, but Old Alexandra’s Mykaela Power reacted quickest to hit the back of the net.

The score was now Old Alexandra 1 UCD 2 at the end of quarter three.

In the fourth quarter  Deirdre Duke was green carded in the 62nd minute leaving her team temporarily one player down. Old Alexandra had one of their Penalty corners deflected over the bar. From the resultant 23 metre long corner resulted in a free hit to UCD. Mykaela Power had a shot from open play sail over the bar but UCD were able to absorb the pressure and hang on for the three points which following results elsewhere sent the Belfield outfit to the top of EYHL Women’s Division 1.

 

EYHL  WOMEN’S DIVISION 1  ROUND UP 

Elsewhere in the EYHL Women’s Division 1  Railway Union had a 6-0 win over Monkstown with a hat-trick for Lily Lloyd , two goals for her sister Kate Lloyd and the other goal scored by Ireland captain Katie Mullan.

Catholic Institute also rattled in six in a 6-0 win over bottom of the table Belfast Harlequins. Naomi Carroll , Michelle Barrett and Roisin Begley all scoring in the first two quarters to leave Insta 3-0 ahead at half time  with goals in quarters three and four by Emer Ryan , Leah Clery and Lizzy Ryan completing the scoring .

Loreto despite scoring through Caitlin Sherin were on the wrong end of a 1-2 result and Pegasus went back to Belfast with all three points in the bag from their visit to Beaufort.

That left one remaining fixture on Saturday at Serpentine Avenue. Pembroke Wanderers took the lead at home to Ards , through Orla Macken’s goal in the late game but a fourth quarter equaliser ensured a share of the spoils for the visitors in 1-1 draw.

In a busy weekend where catch up matches were the name of the game , four teams were facing into their second games of the weekend as Old Alexandra  had to travel to Limerick to take on Catholic Institute on Sunday while Monkstown hosted Loreto.

 

EYHL  WOMEN’S DIVISON  2  ROUND UP 

POOL A

Muckross were schooled by the university  side Ulster Elks when the Ulster Premier League side beat them 0-6 on home soil.

University College Cork were too strong for their wild Atlantic colleagues University of Galway sending them homeward to think again after a 6-2 defeat in the second game in

Ulster Elks are in first place  Avoca in second and UCC are in third in Pool A

 

POOL B

Galway had no answers at Dangan as they were demolished 1-8 on their own turf by Queen’s University  and on the opposite coast

Corinthian had a comfortable 4-0 win over Ballymoney in the Pool’s other match.

Corinthian still lead Pool B with Queen’s in second and Cork Harlequins in third.

 

EYHL MEN’S DIVISION 1 ROUND UP

Annadale and Monkstown played out a 2-2 draw at Lagan College in a result which didn’t do Monkstown’s hopes of  high placed finish in the play off berths any favours. Lisnagarvey’s recent slump continued when they were held at home  by Glenanne in a 1-1 draw that makes 7 points dropped out of a possible 9 in their last three outings.

The one consolation for the Comber Road outfit was that their rivals league table toppers Banbridge also dropped points when they drew 1-1 at Grange Road against Three Rock Rovers. Pembroke Wanderers continued to struggle losing  to Instonians 2-3 at Serpentine Avenue to remain mired in the bottom two

Lisnagarvey are in second place three points behind Banbridge  with Glenanne in third a further eight points adrift and Three Rock Rovers and Monkstown in joint fourth place.

At the wrong end of the table Cookstown are bottom with Pembroke Wanderers in 9th on  5 points and Instonians in 8th  with 7 points to spare.

Cookstown do have two games in hand however.

 

EYHL  MEN’S DIVISION 2  ROUND UP

POOL A

Corinthian maintained their lead at the top of Pool A  with  a 6-2 win over Queen’s University at  St. Columba’s College .  Railway Union continued their fine run in this competition with a 4-1 win over Cork Church of Ireland at Park Avenue.   Railway Union are in second place with Cork Church of Ireland in third

 

POOL B 

Bandon ended Avoca’s thin hopes of making the knock out stages of EYHL 2 by defeating them 2-0 at Bandon High School.

Kilkeel were no match for a UCD team that maintained their grip on the top spot in the pool with a 3-0 away win.

Bandon are now seven points clear  in second place from third placed South Antrim.

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HOCKEY IRELAND TO RECEIVE ENHANCED SUPPORT OVER NEXT TWO YEARS FOLLOWING SPORT IRELAND FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENT

Dublin March 1, 2023

 

Sport Ireland today announced an improved funding model for all Irish Olympic sports, including Hockey, as part of the Government’s National Sports Policy 2018-2027. The additional €4m of investment provided for 2023 will be directed to specific initiatives within high performance sport, including hockey.

 

Coaching, Paris 2024, athlete supports and High-Performance strategy activation are priority investment areas for Sport Ireland. It will address one-off costs for high performance programs and give recognition to the increased costs of doing business in high performance sport.

 

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin TD said: “Through this funding we can continue to support and champion our athletes with their sporting journeys in European and World Championships, while also assisting them with achieving qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The National Sports Policy 2021-2032 aims to provide continuous support to our High-Performance Program through increased levels of funding.”

 

Chief Executive of Sport Ireland Dr Úna May commented: “Our High-Performance Strategy sets high ambitions. In order for these objectives to be achieved, athletes and organizations require consistent support. Sport Ireland will invest over €40m throughout the Paris Cycle (2021-2024). This is an increase from 31m in the Tokyo Cycle (2017-2020), a rise of 30%.”

 

The total Sport Ireland funding into Hockey Ireland is €3.3m for the Paris Cycle.

 

Commenting on today’s Sport Ireland announcement, Hockey Ireland High Performance Director, Lisa Jacob noted: “Hockey Ireland is a very big beneficiary of the funding announced today. Not only does it continue, but it increases the support we have received from Sport Ireland over many years now.”

 

“The additional direct athlete support will enable women’s hockey to prepare and perform with no barriers to maximizing their collective potential. The team and Hockey Ireland recognize the opportunity it presents to excel, and hopefully qualify, for Paris 2024. We will be working hard to ensure we can deliver on this investment.”

Read Sport Ireland announcement here

 

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Ulster win in Dramatic Uniphar InterPro U16 final

Girls Under 16 Interpro Final – sponsored by Uniphar

 

Ulster 2-2 Leinster

Ulster win penalty shootout 2-1

 

A big crowd was treated to a thriller in the sunshine at UCD as Ulster and their never-say-die attitude held sway in a wonderful finale to the Girls Under 16 Interprovincial final sponsored by Uniphar. Twice they came from behind in regular time. And they were behind in the shootout as well – but Davy Menaul’s team prevailed to lift the trophy.

It all started tamely enough with both defenses on top in the first half. Just before the end of the 2nd quarter, Leinster made the breakthrough, and it came from their 2nd penalty corner. Isobel Field’s shot was deflected in by Lauryn Barry past Anna Wilson in the Ulster goal, their territorial dominance in the second quarter finally getting tangible reward, breaching the Ulster defense for the first time in nearly four and a half games in this interprovincial campaign.

But back came Ulster, Erin Pim’s solo run lighting up a final that was so much better in the second half. Pim slalomed her way past two defenders into the circle and finished superbly to deservedly tie up the game at 1-1.

In the final seconds of the 3rd quarter, Leinster went ahead again from another penalty corner. Having been on top for the previous 10 minutes, they fully deserved that lead, Field’s shot flicked in by Hollaí Quinn for her 4th goal of the campaign. At that stage it looked like Leinster might go on and win the title – both displaying the kind of hockey that augurs well for the future of the women’s game in Ireland.

Ulster again refused to buckle. Their high press forced mistakes

In the Leinster defense, centre forward Katie Herron’s strong run into the circle leading to her side’s 3rd penalty corner, Joni Cunningham the hero as her shot beat Jones in goal. The game tied up now at 2-2 and both sides running on fumes after giving everything in a pulsating final.

Near the end, player of the match Isobel Field nearly put Leinster ahead, denied by a fine stop by Lola Henderson in the Ulster goal. So 2-2 it was and the drama of the shoot out had the large attendance on the edges of their seats.

Leinster Captain Sarah Byrne put Leinster in front but only after Umpire Fiona Davitt ordered a retake; Ulster’s Katie Herron tied it up at 1-1; there then followed 7 missed penalties in a row that showed how good Leinster’s Grace Jones and Ulster’s Lola Henderson are at shot stopping.

Ulster’s Kate Spillane, the 10th penalty taker, had the opportunity to seal the win for Ulster – and she duly obliged as her side won an absorbing match that will live long in the memory of those lucky enough to see it – what an advertisement for the Under 16 game!

 

Stephen Alkin

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Students dominate Eight goal thriller in EY Hockey League

EY Hockey League Women Division1
It was round 14 in the EY Hockey League  Women’s Division 1 in an end to end encounter at Rathdown School , with many chances created at both ends.

 

UCD had the better chances in the first half running up a substantial lead at the break before being pegged back in quarters three and four to hang on for a two goal margin of victory.

 

UCD travelled to Rathdown School to take on Monkstown in the EY Hockey League on Saturday with revenge on their minds. While UCD had won the reverse fixture in Belfield earlier in the season, Monkstown ended the students’ aspirations in the Irish Senior Cup last November. Despite being fairly even in pure percentage, terms where possession was concerned the students carved out by far the best opportunities in quarters one and two and it was no surprise when UCD took the lead from open play in the 10th minute.  A well-worked move saw Niamh Carey finish giving the students a deserved lead. They increased their lead in last minute of the quarter when Grace Kenny got her first goal of the day to put the students 2-0 ahead.

 

There were no penalty corners awarded at all during the entire first half and the third goal also came from open play in the 24th minute when Grace Keane got her second of the game to leave the half time score 3-0 to the visitors.

 

UCD were back in action early into the third quarter when Sophia Cole made it 4-0 with another field goal also from open play on 38 minutes and that seemed to spark Monkstown into action as they opened their account six minutes later through a well worked moved that saw Olivia Brady get the decisive touch  to open their account.

 

UCD restored their four-goal advantage when player of the match Niamh Carey teed up her twin sister Michelle Carey to score from close range in the 57th minute.

 

Monkstown rallied in the fourth quarter scoring two goals in just three minutes. Claire O’Reilly got Monkstown’s second of the game in the 64th and Chloe Watkins strike from just inside the semi-circle was deflected past UCD keeper Nora McGinty in the 66th minute to leave the final score Monkstown 3 UCD 5.

 

UCD securing a badly needed three points following last weekend’s home defeat to go back into the top three places in the Division. For Monkstown this defeat coupled with results elsewhere drop into the bottom three places in the Division.

 

Other results:

 

Elsewhere in the Division Old Alexandra travelled to Belfast to take on Pegasus at the Queen’s University Sportsgrounds. A scoreless first half was followed by two Abbie Russell goals for Alex to set them on their way to a 2-0 win over Pegasus who are the only team to have played all fourteen of their fixtures so far. This win put Alex into second place in the table.

 

Railway Union climb to 7th place in the table following their 4-2 win over Ards at Londonderry Park. This result put Ards back into the bottom two relegation spots in the table.

 

Loreto go three points clear at the top of the table following their 4-2 away win over Belfast Harlequins at Deramore Park.

Pembroke Wanderers proved they weren’t going to give up their League title without a fight by beating Catholic Institute who went into this game in second place by 3-0. This win sees Pembroke Wanderers go fifth in the table and into one of the highly coveted Champions Trophy play off places.

 

EY  Hockey League  Women’s Division  2  Pool  A

Muckross held table toppers Avoca to a 1-1 draw.

Ulster Elks narrowed the gap to three points with a game in hand following their 7-0 win over University of Galway.

 

EY Hockey League Women’s  Division 2  Pool B 

Queen’s University beat Corinthians 2-0 but the Dubliners remain top of their Pool B after this result.

Cork Harlequins stay second following their 5-0 home win over Ballymoney.

 

EY Hockey League  Men’s  Division 1

In the Men’s Division Instonians got the weekend off to an interesting start by holding Lisnagarvey to a 3-3 draw at  Shawsbridge. This was the first of two fixtures on the agenda for Lisnagarvey who took on Banbridge on Sunday.

Bann prepared for their top of the table clash with Garvey by beating Pembroke Wanderers by 4-0 at Havelock Park on Saturday. The struggling Dubliners put to the sword ahead of Bann’s big game on Sunday,

Monkstown won a closely fought encounter with YMCA 2-1 at Rathdown School and Three Rock Rovers matched their result beating Annadale 2-1 at Grange Road.

Glenanne took on Cookstown at St Andrews in the remaining tie and it ended in a 3-2 win for Glenanne

 

 

EY Hockey League  Men’s Division 2 Pool  A

Corinthian edged a 9-goal thriller at Farmer’s Cross beating home side Cork Harlequins 5-4 to remain top of Pool A. Railway Union stay second following a 4-2 win over Queen’s University in Belfast.

EY Hockey  League  Men’s Division 2 Pool B 

UCD remain top of the table following the only fixture in this Pool where Avoca kept their slim hopes of making the play offs alive by winning 2-1 against Kilkeel.  With two games remaining, should results elsewhere go their way, two wins may be enough to see them squeeze through.

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Hockey Ireland seeks nominations for the EuroHockey Youth Leadership Festival

Hockey Ireland is delighted to be able to send 2 young people (1 male, 1 female aged 18-30) to the 2023 EHF Youth Leadership Festival from 15th-19th August. The event is in collaboration with the DHB and is going to be a week full of motivating workshops, contacts, and friendships with some amazing guest speakers. Hockey Ireland will pay the entry fee, and this includes full board accommodation, tickets to the opening ceremony and we will provide a small travel bursary for the Youth Leaders.

 

The theme for 2023 is “Press Play” – life has been on pause for such a long time that we hope that 2023 will be time to Press Play, especially for the EHF Youth Leadership Festival which will be held at the same time as the EuroHockey Championship 2023.

To nominate a young person to attend on behalf of Hockey Ireland, please fill in the following form before 27th February 2023: https://forms.office.com/e/meT2P28BQD

If you have any questions, contact sue.haslam@hockey.ie

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Railway secure silver at EuroHockey Club Indoor Trophy Tournament

 

Railway played their final fixture at the EuroHockey Club indoor trophy today knowing that they had already secured a silver medal but that a win or a draw would get them gold as tournament winners.

Their opposition was English club East Grinstead who had played an aggressive attacking fast game throughout the tournament. And so they started putting Railway under pressure from the first whistle. The pressure paid off and they took the lead after 4 minutes. Railway won a corner following good work by Orla Patton but Jenny Long’s shot was deflected wide. East Grinstead increased their lead in the second quarter catching Railway on the break. Railway won 2 corners which were well defended by East Grinstead.

Half time: Railway 0 East Grinstead 2.

The third quarter was evenly balanced with few chances. Railway could not find a way through the well organised East Grinstead team. Despite tired legs Railway rallied to up the tempo and attack aggressively in the fourth quarter but this left them exposed as East Grinstead scored a third. Railway never gave up and were rewarded when Orla Patton got them on the scoreboard with a battling goal. However, Railway were unable to add to this and the final score was Railway 1 East Grinstead 3, East Grinstead winning the tournament.

Railway we’re disappointed to lose the match but delighted to win silver medals and secure promotion to the illustrious EuroHockey Club Indoor Cup, the first time an Irish club indoor team has competed at this level for 30 years.

A big shout out to coaches Gareth Myburgh and Michael Fulham who prepared the team so well and to the travelling supporters who encouraged the team throughout. Congratulations also to Cambrai hockey club who hosted a fantastic tournament.

Team: Kate O’Hogan (GK), Orla Fox (C), Holly Jenkinson (VC), Jenny Long, Orla Patton, Sarah Patton, Lily Lloyd, Becky McMullen, Ailish Long, Kate Woods.

Coaches: Gareth Myburgh, Michael Fulham.

Manager: Helen Johnston

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Railway Union off to a great start at the Eurohockey Club Indoor Trophy

Following a minutes silence for the victims of the Turkey/Syria earthquake Railway Union played the Slovakian champions Raca in the first match of the Eurohockey Club Indoor strategy. Railway got off to a strong start going 2-0 up in the first quarter. Lily Lloyd scored the first goal using her skill to score from open play while captain Orla Fox scored from Railway’s second corner.

The second quarter was a cagey affair with Railway defending well, Kate O’Hogan playing a stormer in the Railway goal. Half time score remained at 2-0. Railway edged further ahead in the third quarter Orla Patton getting a touch from a Railway corner. Raca scored in the fourth quarter from their 6th corner of the game. However, Railway increased their lead with 2 fabulous goals, a solo goal from Sarah Patton and a one two between Sarah Patton & Becky McMullen, with McMullen putting the goal in the net. School girl Kate Woods made her European indoor debut in the game equipping herself well. The Long sisters Jenny and Ailish were instrumental in securing the result.

Final score: Railway 5 (L Lloyd, O Fox, O Patton, S Patton, B McMullen) Raca 1. The win gives Railway 5 points. Their next game is against Scottish team Clydesdale at 4.15pm (3.15pm Irish Time)

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TRR head to European Indoor Hockey Trophy in Mannheim, Germany

Three Rock Rovers arrived in Mannheim Germany today to represent Irish Hockey at the Men’s European Indoor Hockey Trophy over the weekend. The indoor team from Balinteer’s  journey has been a geographical and emotional odyssey. The team is relishing playing at such a high club level  in a country which is the cradle of European and World indoor hockey.

That journey has included winning five of the last six National Irish titles. In European competition the club got promoted in 2018 from the fourth division in Tbilisi, Georgia. The subsequent year the side gained immediate promotion from the Third division in Oslo, Norway finishing in second place.

The Trophy level was a Considerable  step up in Alanya, Turkey 2020 but Three Rock managed results in their final two games to finish in sixth place, one behind the Dutch National champions.

Today Three Rock are playing in the opening game of the tournament against the Czech representatives SK Slavia Prague and are facing Dutch outdoor and indoor 2022 National Champions Pinoké in the afternoon. Both of those sides contain players who represented their countries in the recent indoor European and World Cups

Captain Ross Canning, Jody Hosking, and James Walker are capped International Indoor players and they are backed up by veterans Alistair Haughton, Shane Davey and Eckhart Geyer.

 

Live scoring here: https://eurohockey.altiusrt.com/competitions/300

Live viewing here: http://www.eurohockeytv.org/

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Eurohockey Club Indoor Trophy for Railway Union

Back Row L to R: Orla Patton, Holly Jenkinson (VC), Kate O’Hogan (GK), Sarah Patton, Aebfhinn Bourke (not travelling), Michelle Carey (not travelling)

Front Row L to R: Becky McMullen, Jenny Long, Ailish Long, Orla Fox (C), Lily Lloyd, Kate Woods.

Railway Union are sending an experienced squad to the Eurohockey Club Indoor Trophy (W) in Cambrai, France from 17th to 19th February 2023.

The squad contains 4 current Irish international indoor players, 2 Irish indoor development squad players, and a previous Irish indoor international. The Railway indoor captain, Orla Fox, has 30 Irish indoor caps. The Patton sisters, Orla and Sarah, have 29 and 24 Irish indoor caps respectively, with Lily Lloyd having 18 Irish indoor caps.  Kate O’Hogan, the Railway indoor goalkeeper, and Becky McMullen, play on the Irish indoor development squad. Becky McMullen also has 4 Irish indoor senior caps. Previous Irish indoor player, Holly Jenkinson, has 5 Irish indoor caps. Holly is also an Irish international in 3 sports – indoor hockey, netball and tag rugby, plus is an Irish Masters hockey player.

The Railway Union indoor coach, Gareth Myburgh, is the Irish indoor manager and Irish indoor development squad coach. The Railway assistant coach, Michael Fulham, is also Irish indoor development squad coach.

This is Railway’s 4th participation in the Eurohockey indoor club competition – winning gold at the Challenge event in Bratislava, Slovakia in 2011, silver in Porto, Portugal in 2020 and playing in the Trophy event in Alanya, Turkey in 2022. In Alanya the team played the entire tournament with only six players.  Orla Fox has played in all 4 of these competitions.

In preparation for this event Railway Union won their provincial indoor tournament and the national indoor competition, for the third year running.

Captain Orla Fox said ‘we are really looking forward to playing in Cambrai. We have prepared well and feel we have developed as a squad since last year’s venture in Turkey. We are introducing young up and coming players, such as Kate Woods, to the squad and we hope to represent Ireland well at the tournament’.

Railway Union has 2 sets of sisters playing in the team: Orla and Sarah Patton, and Jenny and Ailish Long.

The Squad for the tournament is as follows:

1.    Kate O’Hogan GK

2.    Orla Patton

3.    Sarah Patton

7.    Holly Jenkinson VC

13.  Kate Woods

16.  Ailish Long

20.  Lily Lloyd

21.  Orla Fox C

23.  Jenny Long

29.  Becky McMullen

Coach:   Gareth Myburgh

Assistant Coach: Michael Fulham

Manager: Helen Johnston

Railway’s match schedule is as follows:

Friday 17th February at 9.30am (8.30am Irish Time) Railway Union v Raca (Slovakia)

Friday 17th February at 4.15pm (3.15pm Irish Time) Railway Union v Clydesdale (Scotland)

Saturday 18th February at 10.15am (9.15am Irish Time) Railway Union v Zelina (Croatia)

Saturday pm and Sunday = play off matches.

The games are being live streamed at  https://www.eurohockeytv.org/en-int/page/home-ehf-hockey.

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