Here are the weekend fixtures in the EYHL Divisions 1 and 2 for both Men and Women. It begins on Friday night in the EYHL Division 2

EYHL 2 Women  POOL A  

Friday 15th March 

 Avoca v Kilkenny, 20:15, Newpark School 

Saturday 16th March  

Greenfields v Cork Harlequins, 14:30, Dangan 

 

EYHL Men’s Division 1

 Lisnagarvey v YMCA, 14:30, Queens University 

Annadale v Monkstown, 16:00, Queens University 

UCD v Instonains, 14:00, Belfield Water 

Banbridge v Three Rock Rovers, 13:30, Havelock Park 

Corinthian v Glenanne, 11:30, St Columbas College 

 

EYHL Women’s Division 1  

UCD v Railway Union, 12:00, Belfield Water 

Monkstown v Catholic Institute, 12:20, Rathdown 

Loreto v Ulster Elks, 13:30 Loreto Beaufort 

Old Alex v Pegasus, 13:30, Alexandra College 

Corinthian v Pembroke, 15:15, St Columbas College 

 

Men’s Irish Junior Cup Semi-final  

Corinthian v Portrane, 13:15, St Columbas College 

UCD v Banbridge, 15:45, Belfield Water 

 

Women ‘s Irish Junior Cup Semi-final 

Pembroke v Railway Union, 13:00, Serpentine Avenue

UCC  v Loreto  13:00  The Mardyke

 

Things got hot today in the EY Hockey League Division 1 Men’s, including a ten-goal thriller as well as one Irish Junior Cup fixture.

 

INSTONIANS 1 ANNADALE 1

In the first of the EYHL Men’s Division matches down for decision Instonians hosted Annadale at Shawsbridge in an all Ulster clash. The visitors took the lead through a converted penalty corner by Spencer Pinion after 22 minutes and they held that lead until half time. Instonians got back on level terms with a goal from open play scored by Matthew McCord in the 44th minute and it ended 1-1.

 

LISNAGARVEY 5 UCD 0

Ninth placed UCD finish the two round weekend pointless having shipped 9 goals in 48 hours after their visit to Comber Road. When Garvey visited Belfield, UCD were on the wrong end of an 8-4 scoreline and while defensively this may have been an improvement for the second game in succession they failed to score. Lisnagarvey took the lead after only 2 minutes through a goal from Andrew Edgar from open play. Lisnagarvey increased their lead when captain Andrew Williamson converted a penalty corner in the 9th minute. Matthew Nelson grabbed a third goal for Lisnagarvey just before the half-time break. Ben Nelson further increased the lead for Lisnagarvey in the 54th minute to lead the Students by 4-0, Andrew Williamson got his second of the match and a Fifth goal for Lisnagarvey in the 56th minute converting a penalty corner to leave the final score Lisnagarvey 5 UCD 0. For Garvey bouncing back after their defeat to Banbridge. For UCD they stay in 9th place and are running out of games to avoid automatic relegation.

 

GLENANNE  5 BANBRIDGE 5 

No, you are not imagining things. Glenanne and Banbridge played out a classic game of two halves which evolved into a ten-goal thriller in this EYHL Men’s Division 1 clash played at the home of Loreto Women’s Hockey Club in Beaufort owing to a previous booking for their regular home pitch in St. Andrew’s College. Jason Rogan put Glenanne 1-0 up in the 11th minute with a goal from open play. Banbridge responded in the 14th  minute when Philip Brown opened his account by converting a penalty corner. Glenanne proceeded to dominate proceedings. Shane O’Donoghue opened his account from a penalty stroke in the 20th minute to make it 2-1 to Glenanne. Kevin Venter converted a penalty corner to put Glenanne 3-1 ahead in the 24th minute and they led 4-1 at half-time thanks to a Shannon Boucher goal in the 34th minute and on the basis of their first half performance it was well deserved. Banbridge came out with a different mindset in the second half. Louis Rowe began the comeback with a goal from open play in the 40th minute. Jonny McKee reduced the deficit to two goals scoring for Lisnagarvey from open play in the 45th minute Glenanne now led 4-3. Philip Brown got his second goal of the afternoon converting a penalty corner to level the scoring at 4-4 in the 58th minute and then ten minutes later converted another penalty corner to complete his hat-trick and leave Banbridge leading 5-4 with only two minutes to go. Out of seemingly nothing Glenanne launched a counter-attack and were awarded a penalty stroke. Shane O’Donoghue again successfully converted the penalty stroke to leave the score 5-5. There were some disallowed goals and many other incidents but ten goals in an EYHL League remains something of a novelty.

 

GLENANNE: David Lawless, Taylor Kelly-Stack, Neil Byrne, Richard Couse, Bradley Venter (C), Luke Jackson,  Shane O’Donoghue, Kevin Venter, Gary Shaw,  Sam O’Connor, Jake Pillow SUBS USED: Fergal Keaveney (8 mins), Jason Rogan (8 mins), Shannon Boucher (26 mins), Marco Gayubo

BANBRIDGE: Luke Roleston, Alexander Tinney (C), Jonny Mc Kee, Peter Brown, Josh Moffett, Charlie Rowe, Philip Brown, Mark Cowan, Louis Rowe, Sam Farson  Owen Magee SUBS USED: Matthew Mc Kee (6 mins), Jake Rowe (7 mins), Hugh McShane (8 mins)

 

IRISH JUNIOR CUP (MEN’S)

And finally, our last result from the weekend in the Men’s Irish Junior Cup, Rathgar defeated Cork Church Of Ireland 3-2 in the shoot-out following a 2-2 draw in regulations time.

 

THURSDAY MARCH 7 2024

 

EY HOCKEY LEAGUE MEN’S DIVISION 1

THREE ROCK ROVERS 1 – 1 YMCA 

The postponed game from the previous Saturday went ahead on Thursday night at Grange Road. Tevin Kok gave the visitors, YMCA the lead in the 31st minute with a goal from open play. Ben Johnson equalised with a converted penalty corner in the 57th minute to secure a share of the spoils for Three Rock Rovers.

 

SATURDAY  MARCH 9 2024

 

BANBRIDGE 3-2 LISNAGARVEY

This Ulster derby was also the clash of the top two teams in the table at Havelock Park.  Lisnagarvey went ahead in the 6th minute through a Matthew Nelson goal from open play.

Jake Rowe equalised for Banbridge in the 18th minute scoring from a converted penalty corner to make it 1-1. Jonny McKee gave Bann the lead in the 35th minute from open play.

Matthew McKee increased the lead for Banbridge with a 61st minute goal from open play to leave Bann 3-1 ahead  . Lisnagarvey grabbed a late consolation goal when their captain Andrew Williamson converted a late penalty corner in the 70th minute to make the final score Banbridge 3 Lisnagarvey 2.

 

GLENNANE 4-0 UCD 

Glenanne had  UCD as visitors to St. Andrew’s College in the EYHL Division 1 on Saturday.  Brad Venter gave the hosts the lead in the 24th minute from open play. Gary Shaw increased Glenanne’s lead in the 37th minute with a goal from open play.  Two late goals for the hosts sealed the win. Jason Rogan made it 3-0 in the 58th minute and Taylor Kelly-Stack made it 4-0 in the 59th minute.

 

MONKSTOWN 4-1  INSTONIANS 

Lee Cole opened and closed Monkstown’s account in this EYHL Men’s Division 1 clash at Rathdown School.  He scored in the 16th minute from a converted penalty corner to give Monkstown an early lead. Monkstown led 1-0 at half time. Two goals from Jeremy Duncan put the hosts 3-0 ahead. His first was a converted penalty corner in the 40th minute and his second of the game was from open play in the 58th minute. Lee Cole got his second goal of the game , from another penalty corner in the 66th minute to leave Monkstown 4-0 ahead going into the closing stages of the game. Ross Kelly’s 70th minute converted penalty corner proved a very late consolation goal for Instionians. The match ended Monkstown 4 Instonians 1.

 

THREE ROCK ROVERS 4-1 ANNADALE 

Ben Johnson was on the mark for all of Three Rock Rovers goals in this win over Annadale at Grange Road .His converted penalty corner in the 9th minute made it 1-0 to Rovers. Ben Johnson added a second from open play in the 20th minute. Peter Corrie put the visitors on the scoresheet in the 29th minute from open play. Ben Johnson restored the two-goal margin in the 38th minute to make it 3-1. He converted a penalty corner in the 43rd minute to leave the final score 4-1 to Three Rock Rovers and in the process scoring 5 goals in 3 days over two games for Three Rock Rovers.

 

YMCA 6-1  CORINTHIANS 

Tevin Kok got his second goal in three days for YMCA to open the scoring in this EYHL Men’s Division 1 tie at Wesley College to put YMCA 1-0 ahead. A Grant Glutz goal from open play in the 20th minute increased the lead for YMCA to make it 2-0.   Corinthians got on the score sheet through a converted penalty corner by Max Neill in the 44th minute to reduce the deficit to a single goal. YMCA led 2-1 at this point. Ben O’Grady’s  converted penalty corner in the 49th minute restored the two-goal margin to 3-1. Ross Henderson made it 4-1 from open play in the 53rd minute. Sam Hyland  made it 5-1 in the 63rd minute.

Ross Henderson made it 6-1 with his second goal of the game from a converted penalty corner in the 70th minute and that was the final score.

EYHL MEN’S DIVISION 2 POOL A

BANDON 2-4  PEMBROKE WANDERERS 

Leinster Men’s Division 1 side  Pembroke Wanderers returned home with a full set of points from Bandon Grammar School in this EYHL Men’s Division 2 Pool A clash. Bandon took the lead when Karl Smyth converted a penalty corner in the 2nd minute. Pembroke Wanderers were level in the 14th minute when they were awarded a penalty stroke converted by Dechlan Bennett and it was 1-1 at half-time. Ross Breytenbach gave the visitors the lead in the 48th minute from open play and Jack Flanagan made it 3-1 to Pembroke Wanderers with another open play goal on 50 minutes. David Lynch made it 4-1 for Pembroke Wanderers a minute later and Karl Lynch’s second goal of the game proved a late consolation goal for Bandon when he converted a penalty corner in the 55th minute. It finished Bandon 2 Pembroke Wanderers 4.

 

QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY  1-2  AVOCA 

Darragh Grogan gave the visitors Avoca the lead at the Queen’s University Grounds in Belfast in the 7th minute 1-0 to Avoca. Hayden Vaitekenas increased their lead in the 30th minute from open play 2-0 for Avoca. Harry Scott responded for Queen’s University in the 34th minute from open play and it was Queen’s 1 Avoca 2 at half-time. There was no further scoring in either the 3rd of 4th quarter and Avoca went home having won 2-1.

 

EYHL MEN’S DIVISION 2 POOL B

COOKSTOWN 2-2 CORK HARLEQUINS 

Sam Dale opened the scoring for Cork Harlequins from open play in the 4th minute.  Cookstown were level in the 12th minute thanks to Michael Kerr’s converted penalty corner. it was 1-1 at half-time. Cork Harlequins captain Jack O’Meara restored their lead when he converted a penalty corner in the 62nd minute to put them 2-1 ahead. It was a lead that would only last 2 minutes as Jack Haycock converted a penalty corner for Cookstown in the 64th minute to secure a share of the spoils on a final scoreline of Cookstown 2 Cork Harlequins 2.

 

SOUTH ANTRIM 3-3  RAILWAY UNION 

The Ulster Premier League side and their Leinster Division 1A opponents produced a six goal thriller at Friends’ School in Lisburn this afternoon. Ryan West opened the scoring for the home side in the 6th minute with a goal from open play. Jordan Robinson increased South Antrim’s lead to 2-0 in the 16th minute when he converted a penalty corner. Kenny Carroll responded for Railway Union with a converted penalty corner in the 22nd minute. Robert Devlin equalised for Railers  in the 26th minute with a goal from open play to make it 2-2 at half-time.  Jan Trejbal restored the visitors lead in the 59th minute from open play. But a converted penalty corner for South Antrim by Peter Mulligan in the 64th minute secured a share of the spoils and it ended 3-3.

 

EYHL WOMEN’S DIVISION 2 POOL A 

AVOCA 1-2  CORK HARLEQUINS 

Munster Senior League side Cork Harlequins defeated Leinster Women’s Division 1 side at Newpark Comprehensive School in Dublin in the EYHL WOMEN’S DIVISION 2 POOL B.  Yvonne O’Byrne opened the scoring for Harlequins in the 15th minute from open play. She got her second goal of the game by converting a penalty corner in the 21st minute.  Cork Harlequins led 2-0 at half-time.  Avoca did get on the scoresheet when Zoe Watterson converted a penalty corner in the 64th minute but it ended up Avoca 1 Cork Harlequins 2

 

BELFAST HARLEQUINS  7-0 KILKENNY 

Leinster Division 1 side Kilkenny had no answers to a Belfast Harlequins onslaught in the  EYHL Women’s Division 2 Pool A clash at Deramore Park.  Emma Fraser put Belfast Harlequins 1-0 up with a converted penalty corner in the 8th minute. Ella Lanuske opened her account with  a goal from open play in the 25th  minute to make it 2-0 . Katherine Welshman made it 3-0 with a converted penalty corner in the  44th minute.

Ella Lanuske got her second field goal of the game in the 47th minute to make it 4-0.   Captain Katie Larmour made it 5-0  with a converted penalty corner in the  62nd minute.  Jenna Henry made it 6-0 in the 64th minute and Emily Walls rounded off the scoring in the 69th minute to make the final score 7-0.

 

EYHL WOMEN’S DIVISION 2 POOL B

LURGAN  2-1  MUCKROSS 

Ulster Women’s Premier League side Lurgan hosted Muckross (who are playing for the Leinster Women’s Division 1 title this week against rivals Avoca in their final League match) at Lurgan Junior High School in the EYHL Women’s Division 2 Pool B match and ended up with all the points on offer. Leeanne Thompson opened the scoring for the hosts  in the 29th minute from open play. Jo-Anne Reid added a second goal for Lurgan in the 61st minute. Cate Browne  scored for Muckross in the final minute as a last gasp consolation score to make the result Lurgan 2 Muckross 1

 

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK  A  UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY A

This match at the Mardyke was abandoned after 7 minutes due to a serious injury  to a University of Galway player.

 

WOMEN’S IRISH SENIOR CUP

PEGASUS 0-6 RAILWAY UNION  

The remaining quarter-final of the Irish Senior Cup was played at Queen’s University Sportsground on Saturday. Pegasus had no answers to a rampant Railway Union side who ran out 6-0 winners. Their reward for today’s win, a trip to Belfield in the semi-final where they will take on 2020 Senior Cup winners UCD.

 

Hockey Ireland launches ‘See Us, Be Us, Back Us’ campaign 

Today Hockey Ireland celebrated International Women’s Day with the launch of its latest campaign in support of the women’s game.

‘See Us, Be Us, Back Us’ accelerates the promotion of women in our sport by getting more fans to more of our women’s games.

The United Nations’ International Women’s Day theme for 2024 is “Invest in women: Accelerate progress”. Hockey is a sport where women are well represented and where the Ireland Senior Women’s Hockey Team have pushed the boundaries of the women’s game.

But a recent study found that ‘nearly 60% of Irish people have never attended a female sports event’.* We want to help address that.

For fans, we will do that by raising awareness of our women’s games be they International, Club or Schools, and encouraging greater attendance and visible support. As details become available we will be promoting these key fixtures.

For corporates, we will do that by facilitating support through our ‘Back Us’ Partner Programme, in which we ask key corporates and small enterprise to get involved, purchase fan tickets and experience our events in support of our women’s games.

Corporates interested in being part of this Back Us Partner Programme can email us at womeninsport@hockey.ie to register interest, receive further details and start a conversation to get started.

 

*Research commissioned by Lidl and carried out by Red C in December 2023

There’s a full round of matches on Saturday in the EY Hockey League Men’s Division 1, the first full round of 2024 and other fixtures in this Division again on Sunday. Elsewhere, there are games in the EYHL 2, Irish Women’s Senior Cup, and Men’s Junior Cup.

Last Saturday’s TRR Vs YMCA weather-cancelled game has been re-fixed for Thursday night March 7.

Saturday 9th March

EYHL Division 2

Men

Bandon v Pembroke, 14:14, Bandon Grammar

Queens v Avoca, 14:30, Queens University

Cookstown v Cork Harlequins, 12:45, Cookstown

South Antrim v Railway Union, 14:45, Friends School Lisburn

 

Women

Avoca v Cork Harlequins, 14:30, Newpark School

Belfast Harlequins v Kilkenny, 14:30, Deramore Park

Lurgan v Muckross, 13:00, Lurgan JHS

UCC v University of Galway, 14:00, The Mardyke

EYHL Division 1 

Men

Glenanne v UCD, 13:30, St Andrews College

Monkstown v Instonians, 14:30, Rathdown

YMCA v Corinthian, 14:30 YMCA

Banbridge v Lisnagarvey, 14:45, Havelock Park

Three Rock Rovers v Annadale, 15:00 Grange Road

Irish Junior Cup Men

Rathgar v Cork Church of Ireland, 13:00, Rathgar

Irish Senior Cup Women

Pegasus v Railway Union, 12:45, Queens University

Sunday 10th March

EYHL Division 1

Lisnagarvey v UCD, 14:00 Comber Road

Instonains v Annadale, 14:30, Shawsbridge

Glenanne v Banbridge, 15:15, St Andrews College

 

Tuesday March 5, Dublin: Ireland Head Coach Sean Dancer has decided to step-away from the Senior Women’s Hockey programme. It comes just over a month after the team narrowly failed to qualify for Paris 2024, losing to GB in Valencia at the Olympic Qualifiers in January.

Dancer joined as Head Coach in May 2019 having moved from his role as Assistant Coach in New Zealand, and his tenure saw the Ireland team reach their first ever Olympic games, one World Cup and most recently finishing 5th in Europe, equalling the team’s best ever result.

 

Commenting on the announcement, Sean Dancer said:

“I would like to thank Hockey Ireland, Sport Ireland, Sport Northern Ireland, and all the sponsors for providing me the support and opportunity to lead and drive the Women’s programme over the last 6 years. As a team there have certainly been some ups and downs, but I am extremely proud of the team’s consistency competing and performing at three Europeans, a World Cup and an Olympic Games. 

“It has been an amazing experience for me and my family getting to understand the unique Irish sporting culture and skills. But more importantly it was an honour getting to know each individual of our special group. I wish the players and staff all the best for the future, and look forward to the opportunity of cheering from the stands with the great Green Army Family”.

Hockey Ireland High Performance Director Lisa Jacob, also commented:

“We wish Sean the very best as he steps away from the programme and seeks new opportunities. He has made a huge and positive contribution to the development of the team, and the results and successes bear testament to that. On a personal note, Sean has been a true professional and a pleasure to work with and on behalf of all the players and the staff, I want to recognise that and thank him for his contribution.”

On the occasion of his stepping away from the Senior Women’s team, we had the chance to speak with Sean and ask some questions.

 

Regarding the reasons for joining as Head Coach initially:

“In 2019 I was working for the Black Sticks and watched Ireland at the World Cup, so I had awareness of the group and potential.

But the two factors for me coming to Ireland where:

Firstly the opportunity to create a semi-pro program – 3 days a week in a new country. The team had earnt the right from their 2018 WC and deserved a more complete program.

It took me three years to get the program to a position that I felt had a good balance for everyone. Athletes now have key training days Mon & Tues, with regional work end of the week. Club is supported Thurs & Sat. And players can work and/or study part-time Wed / Thurs / Fri. With everyone being free for family on Sunday’s. There is a healthy balance for athletes, that also allows for their high achievements in other areas of their lives.

Secondly it was the personal challenge to qualify a team for the Olympics. 2018 put the team in a good position, but there was certainly no guarantee of Olympic qualification. And when arriving in Ireland it was immediately clear how much mental pressure there was around qualification, and how my role had to move the group passed that stress point.”

 

Regarding the biggest achievement while in charge:

 

“The biggest achievement was qualifying and leading the team to the Tokyo Olympics. To be part of not only the first every Ireland’s Women’s Hockey team, but also the first ever Ireland Women’s Sporting teams to compete at the Olympics was something special and made me extremely proud.

Also part of that was the back-up post-Olympic. Within 8 weeks the team had to compete in a cut throat, winner takes all WC qualifier. To be able to regather + prepare + produce a winning performance I think was one of the toughest challenges the group had to get through in my time here.”

 

Regarding the January Olympic Qualification Tournament:

 

“We didn’t get the end result and fell short. But the performance was easily the best showing of the group over the last two years. Not only did our key focus areas reviewed from the Europeans dramatically improve. We drew against Belgium, who I feel will be certainly competing for a medal at Paris. We comfortably beat Korea, who are ranked above us and we dominated Spain in the semi, with our goal keeper not touching the ball in 60 minutes of hockey. Unfortunately, as a team we didn’t make the most of our opportunities including goal shots, PC’s and a shootout. Our final game v GB was the best performance against them at a major in my time with the team. I am extremely proud of our January performance, and I do hope that at some stage people can look back and see the quality of it”.

 

The Head Coach role will be filled on an interim basis from within the current coaching set up, until a successor for Dancer is found.

 

EY HOCKEY LEAGUE MEN’S DIVISION 1

THREE ROCK ROVERS  V YMCA

This game failed an early morning pitch inspection, there was ice and residual snow still on the field, so the game was postponed. It will be rescheduled for another date in due course.

 EYHL WOMEN’S DIVISION 1

RAILWAY UNION 1  LORETO 1

This top of the table clash could potentially have crowned the new champions of the EYHL Women’s Division 1 had Loreto managed to maintain their 100% record by winning this game at Park Avenue. However, Railway Union can claim the distinction of forcing Loreto to drop their first two points of the season and in so doing postpone their ascent to the throne as it were for another week at least.

The game was a little slow to get going early on and that might have been due to what was at stake. Loreto will no doubt be crowned champions eventually, but Railway Union did take a step towards claiming second spot in the table and the second bye to the semi-final of the Champions Trophy play offs, which will take place as soon as the regular League campaign ends. Loreto probably shaded the first half in terms of scoring opportunities, but they capitalized on the first penalty corner they were awarded in the match. Sarah Torrans scoring in the 25th minute to give the league leaders a 1-0 lead. The game got more energy almost straightaway and while Loreto led 1-0 at half time the closing minutes of the first half had a lot more incident than the previous 24. Railway created more chances. Sarah Patton almost scored following a penalty corner and the parsimonious Loreto defence got in telling blocks as well as goalkeeper Liz Murphy whose saves helped preserve Loreto’s lead. Both sides had key figures absent.

For Railway Union, the experienced Holly Jenkinson remains sidelined with a broken hand, but they did welcome Katie Mullan back to action following international duty alongside colleagues Sarah Hawkshaw, Niamh and Michelle Carey. Loreto were minus former international Hannah Mathew’s who is sidelined following a cut eyebrow that required stitches. Despite these losses their replacements stood tall, and the second half was very engaging. There were incidents in both goalmouths, and it was no surprise when Railway Union equalised through Lily Lloyd in the 55th minute. Railway Union pressed ahead in search of a winner but the next time the ball hit the backboard Síofra O’Brien’s effort was disallowed. The game ended with both sides getting a share of the spoils , but Railway Union took an important step towards clinching a bye to the playoffs semi-final. 

RAILWAY UNION: Emma Buckley, Sarah Patton, Orla Patton, Orla Fox, Katie Fearon, Niamh Shaw, Sarah Hawkshaw, Michelle Carey, Emma Smyth (C), Niamh Carey, Lisa McCarthy,  Aebhfinn Bourke, Jenny Long, Lily Lloyd, Saoirse Griffin, Katie Mullan

LORETO: Liz Murphy, Ella Pasley, Aisling Murray, Lisa Mulcahy, Katie Dunne, Síofra O’Brien, Mia Jennings (C), Grace McLoughlin, Caitlin Sherin, Yasmin Pratt, Caoimhe Perdue, Sarah Torrans, Grace Donald, Chritina Hamill, Hannah McLoughlin, Rachel Kelly;

EYHL MEN’S DIVISION 2 POOL A 

PEMBROKE WANDERERS 2 QUEENS UNIVERSITY 4

The visitors took the lead in the 8th minute, Conor Irwin converting a penalty corner. Pembroke equalised through a Jack Flanagan goal from open play in the 16th minute. Harry Scott restored the lead for Queen’s with a 29th minute penalty corner. Cian Murphy scored from a converted penalty corner in the 48th minute to bring the sides level, this time at 2-2.  Harry Scott scored from open play in the 49th minute to restore the lead for Queens at 3-2 and Conor Irwin converted a penalty corner in the 63rd to secure a 4-2 win. 

 

BANGOR  2 BANDON 2 

Clinton Sweetnam opened the scoring for Munster Division 1 visitors Bandon from a converted penalty corner. Callum Duncan equalised for the hosts Bangor in the 18th minute from open play. Clinton Sweetnam scored from a converted penalty corner again on 29 minutes to restore the lead for Bandon. 

Samuel McMillan ensured the Ulster Premier league side had a share of the spoils with a converted penalty corner in the 58th minute to make the final score 2-2. 

EYHL MEN’S DIVISION 2 POOL B 

CORK HARLEQUINS 4 SOUTH ANTRIM 1

Sean Curtin opened the scoring for Harlequins with a 15th minute goal from open play. Ryan West got the Ulstermen back on level terms with a 22nd minute equaliser. 1-1 at half time. Cork Harlequins went for the jugular after the break. Andrew Dale restored the lead from open play on 37 minutes. Sam Dale made it 3-1 for Harlequins in the 59th minute and Julian Dale got the fourth from open play to seal a 4-1 win. 

CORK CHURCH OF IRELAND 3 COOKSTOWN 4

The Ulstermen won a seven goal thriller at Garryduff. Ryan Millar put them 1-0 up in the 3rd minute from open play. Rob Olden equalised in the 15th minute for Church of Ireland. Scott McCabe restored the Northerners lead in 26th minute. And C of I captain Ian Balding restored parity with a converted penalty corner on 30 minutes. It was 2-2 at half-time. Cookstown got two in  front, Greg Allen from a converted penalty corner in the 47th minute and Paul Watt from open play on the hour mark. 4-2 to Cookstown. A late Jonathan Baldwin converted penalty corner in the 67th minute left the final score Cork Church of Ireland 3 Cookstown 4.

EYHL WOMEN’S DIVISION 2 POOL A 

CORK HARLEQUINS 6 BELFAST HARLEQUINS 2

Anything the men of Farmers Cross can do their women can match. In the battle of the Harlequins the Munster women secured bragging rights with a comfortable win at Harlequins Park. Michelle Barry opened the scoring from open play in the 2nd minute. She made it 2-0 for Cork Harlequins with another goal in the 4th minute. Beth Anne O’Farrell added a third goal in the 5th minute. Rachel O’Shea scored a fourth in the 25th minute. Beth Anne O’Farrell got her second of the match in the 32nd minute for Cork.  Belfast Harlequins trailed 5-0 at half-time.  But they began strongly in the second half and two goals in the 40th and 45th minutes respectively by Jennifer McAuley cut the deficit  to three as Cork led 5-2 . Emma Cripps 57th minute Penalty corner for Cork left the Munster women 6-2 up at full time. 

GREENFIELDS 2 AVOCA 4

Caro Theunisz opened the scoring for the visitors at Dangan in the 8th minute. Anna Richardson made it 2-0 to Avoca in the 25th minute. Ellie Browne got the hosts on the scoresheet with a goal in the 28th minute and a third Avoca goal in the 30th minute by Lauren Tracey from a converted penalty corner left the Dubliners 3-1 up at half-time. Alice Keogh scored for Greenfields to reduce the deficit to a single goal in the 46th minute but Sarah Gardiner’s 66th minute goal was enough to secure the win for Avoca by 4-2 

 

EYHL WOMEN’S DIVISION 2 POOL B

MUCKROSS 2 UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK 2

Nancy Browne opened the scoring for Muckross in the 14th minute from open play.  Robyn Murphy equalised for UCC in the 30th minute to make it 1-1 at half time. Daisy Costello gave Muckross the lead in the 44th minute and Jane Murphy equalised for the visitors in the 53rd minute converting a penalty corner to make the final score 2-2

ARDS 3  LURGAN 1

Lydia McNeill opened the scoring for the visitors at Londonderry Park in only the 3rd minute. 1-0 to Lurgan. Ellen Robinson scored in the 14th minute to level matters. She got her second of the match in the 31st minute to give Ards a 2-1 lead. They sealed the win when Naomi Grundie converted a penalty corner in the 50th minute sealing a 3-1 win.

Hockey Volunteers Recognised in National Volunteers in Sports Awards Ceremony

Cathryn Watson – Ballymoney HC

Ruth McDonagh – Bray HC

Sally Kavanagh – Waterford HC

Thursday February 29, Dublin: Hockey was well represented today as the Federation of Irish Sport honoured its list of recipients for the 2023 Volunteers in Sports Awards.

Three of our very own took to the stage to receive their awards as County recipients, and we couldn’t be prouder of their dedication to hockey and their well-deserved honour. Please be upstanding for:

  • Cathyrn Watson, Ballymoney Hockey Club – Antrim
  • Sally Kavanagh, Waterford Hockey Club – Waterford
  • Ruth McDonagh, Bray Hockey Club – Wicklow

The awards, celebrating the depth and breadth of volunteering in sporting communities nationwide, included as special guest speaker, Minister Thomas Byrne, Minster of State with responsibility for Sport and Physical Education, which is testament to the commitment at government level to supporting and recognising the vital role of volunteers in advancing sports participation and community development.

With a record-breaking number of entries, the 2023 Volunteers in Sport Awards saw nominations from over 50 different sporting disciplines, highlighting the widespread impact of volunteering ranging from mass participation sports to new and emerging sports.

Cathyrn, Sally and Ruth represent the dedication, values and support of all volunteers throughout hockey without whom our sport couldn’t survive let alone thrive. Congratulations to our three superstars and our heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers across our hockey community.