Hockey Ireland Domestic Round Up Sunday Mar 24: Irish Senior Cup Semi Final Results

This weekend saw three of the four semi-finals take place in the Men’s and Women’s Irish Senior Cup, a competition that dates back to 1894 (Men) making it the oldest Club hockey competition in the world. The competition is an open draw format played for by the best Hockey Clubs across Ireland.

In the Men’s competition three of the four participating clubs were from Ulster and two of them gained home advantage in the draw as Banbridge hosted Cookstown while Lisnagarvey hosted Three Rock Rovers from Dublin.

In the Women’s Irish Senior Cup semi-finals, three of the four teams were from the province of Leinster. Loreto gained home advantage in the draw against Catholic Institute from Limerick and the all-Dublin semi-final between UCD and Railway Union will take place in Belfield at a later date.

 

IRISH SENIOR CUP WOMEN’S SEMI-FINAL 

 

LORETO 0 CATHOLIC INSTITUTE 1  

Catholic Institute have qualified for their third Women’s Irish Senior Cup Final in a row by beating 2024 EY Hockey League Women’s Division 1 Champions 1-0 in the first Women’s semi-final at Beaufort. Insta broke in the first minute and found Roisín Begley inside the Loreto semi-circle and she rifled the ball into the net for a goal worthy to win any hockey game. Catholic Institute and Loreto still had 69 minutes left to play so it was far from clear how this game would finish. Catholic Institute hit Loreto on the counterattack and enjoyed a fair amount of possession in the first and second quarters. Despite Loreto forcing a number of penalty corners it was still 1-0 to the Shannonsiders at half-time.  Loreto were completely dominant in the third quarter forcing at least half a dozen penalty corners and long corners, but the Catholic Institute defense marshalled by Anna Horan and the superb Emilie Ryan-Doyle was also backstopped by former Ireland International Pamela Smithwick-Hearne in goal. There was a whole team effort involved with the likes of Naomi Carroll and goal scorer Roisin Begley popping up in defensive positions to make crucial tackles and interceptions. As the game wore on the penalty corners improved from Loreto and Emilie Ryan Doyle took one effort off the line when it seemed an almost certain goal. But despite their best efforts, especially in the second half, Loreto who head to Amsterdam for the EHL on Wednesday next, could find no way through. Catholic Institute qualify for this year’s final where they will play the winners of the second semi-final between UCD and Railway Union due to be played at Belfield in the next couple of weeks.

LORETO: Liz Murphy, Lisa Mulcahy, Siofra O’Brien, Mia Jennings (C), Grace McLaughlin, Caitlin Sherin, Sarah Torrans, Grace Donald, Christina Hamill, Hannah Matthews, Rachel Kelly SUBS USED: Ashling Murray (4 mins), Hannah McLoughlin (5 mins), Ella Pasley (6 mins), Katie Dunne (7 mins), Caoimhe Perdue (8 mins)

CATHOLIC INSTITUTE: Pamela Smithwick-Hearne, Roisín Begley, Aoife Hickey, Laura Foley, Ciara Moloney, Eimear Ryan (C), Naomi Carroll, Anna Horan, Emilie Ryan-Doyle, Jennifer Clein, Michelle Barrett SUBS USED Leah Clery (4 Mins), Sarah Fitzgerald (5 mins), Aoibheann Collins (6 mins) , Seodhna Dervan (12 mins)

 

IRISH SENIOR CUP MEN’S SEMI-FINAL 

 

LISNAGARVEY 6 THREE ROCK ROVERS 1

Lisnagarvey hosted Three Rock Rovers at Comber Road in the first of the Men’s Irish Senior Cup semi-finals on Sunday. Peter McKibbin opened the scoring for Garvey in the 6th minute from a converted penalty corner. Mark Mc Nellis made it 2-0 to the hosts in the 12th minute from another converted penalty corner. Lisnagarvey were 2-0 at half-time.  Ben Johnson’s 39th converted penalty corner got Three Rock Rovers off the mark and it was a one goal game till near the end of the third quarter when Oliver Kidd scored from a penalty corner in the 50th minute and Peter McKibbin got his second of the game in the 59th minute to leave Garvey leading 5-1 going into the closing stages. Oliver Kidd got his second penalty corner of the match in the final minute to secure Lisnagarvey a place in the 2024 Irish Senior Cup Final which we now know will be an all Ulster affair.

 

BANBRIDGE 4 COOKSTOWN 0

Given the teams involved in the second of the Men’s Irish Senior Cup semi-finals at Havelock Park and the outcome of the first game, there will be an all-Ulster final between Lisnagarvey and Banbridge on Finals day. Cookstown who won the Ulster Premier Division for Men this season came into this game on a good run of form. By contrast Banbridge have struggled in recent weeks, drawing 2 and losing 1 of their last four games in the EYHL Men’s Division 1. Indeed, they were beaten 5-2 by Monkstown 24 hours earlier. However, despite all of those factors, Banbridge proved too strong for Cookstown on the day. Johnny McKee gave Banbridge the lead with a sixth minute goal from open play. Louis Rowe added a second goal in the 29th minute and Banbridge led 2-0 at half-time. Thomas Orr converted a penalty corner in the 40th minute to leave Bann 3-0 up. Matthew McKee sealed the win with a 64th minute goal from open play to secure a 4-0 victory.

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Hockey Ireland Domestic Weekend Results Round-Up: Last Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday Mar 23

TUESDAY MARCH 19TH 2024

EY HOCKEY LEAGUE MEN’S DIVISION 1

INSTONIANS 0 LISNAGARVEY 9

The week’s action got underway, in the EYHL Men’s Division 1 at Shawsbridge where Instonians hosted Lisnagarvey on Tuesday. For Instonians points were desperately needed if automatic relegation was to be averted and for Lisnagarvey in second place in the table, the points were needed if Banbridge were to be denied back-to-back League titles. Oliver Kidd scored from open play in the 6th minute to give the visitors the lead. Matthew Nelson added a second in the 17th minute. Captain Andrew Williamson opened his account with a goal from open play in the 26th minute and got his second of the game, converting a penalty corner in the 31st minute and Lisnagarvey led 4-0 at half-time. Daniel Nelson got his first of the game for Lisnagarvey in the 38th minute to further increase their lead. Matthew Nelson got his second of the game in the 59th minute to make the score 6-0 to Garvey. Daniel Nelson grabbed his second of the game in the 60th minute to make it 7-0 and Matthew Nelson completed his hat-trick for 8-0 in the 64th minute. Anything Matthew Nelson can do Daniel can match and he completed his hat-trick in the final minute converting a penalty corner to leave Lisnagarvey 9-0 winners.

 

THURSDAY MACH 21 2024

EYHL WOMEN’S DIVISION 2 POOL B

UCC 3 UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY 0

This game took place on Thursday night at The Mardyke. The first quarter was scoreless. UCC took the lead in the 29th minute when Jenny McLaughlin converted a penalty corner. Just on the stroke of half-time Julia McCarthy increased their lead when she converted a 35th minute Penalty corner and UCC led 2-0 at the break. The all-University clash was finally decided in favour of the Munster home team when Nikki Barry scored from open play to secure a 3-0 win.

 

SATURDAY MARCH 23 2024

MUCKROSS 0 ARDS 0 

Recently crowned Leinster Division 1 champions Muckross and Ulster Women’s Premier League side Ards played out a scoreless draw in Donnybrook in the EYHL Women’s Division 2 Pool B.

 

EYHL MEN’S DIVISION 1

GLENANNE 2 YMCA 0  

Glenanne beat YMCA at St. Andrew’s College in the EYHL Men’s Division 1 on Saturday. Brad Venter put the home side 1-0 ahead in the 15th minute. Fergal Keaveney made it 2-0 to Glenanne in the 43rd minute to secure the 2-0 win.

 

THREE ROCK ROVERS 2 LISNAGARVEY 1

Ryan Spencer put the hosts 1-0 ahead in the 9th minute with a goal from open play. Captain Harry McMahon increased their lead in the 49th minute when he converted a penalty corner. Andrew Williamson put Lisnagarvey on the scoresheet when he converted a penalty corner in the 57th minute in a game which finished with Three Rock Rovers winning 2-1.

 

MONKSTOWN 5 BANBRIDGE 2

EYHL Men’s Division 1 League leaders Banbridge crashed 2-5 to Monkstown at Rathdown school. Jeremy Duncan scored after 4 minutes and again after 16 minutes to leave Monkstown 2-0 ahead. Johnny McKee responded to put Banbridge on the scoresheet in the 21st minute from open play. Stephen Cole put Monkstown 3-1 up when he scored his first goal of the game in the 27th minute. David Vincent made it 4-1 with his 49th minute goal for Monkstown. Johnny McKee converted a penalty stroke for Banbridge to make it 4-2 in the 52nd minute and Stephen Cole’s penalty corner for Monkstown in the 63rd minute left the final score Monkstown 5 Banbridge 2.

 

INSTONIANS 2 CORINTHIANS 3

A five goal thriller at Shawsbridge where bottom of the table Instonians hosted Corinthians from Dublin. Ian Stewart put the visitors 1-0 up after 5 minutes . In the 12th minute Max Neill converted a penalty corner to leave the visitors 2-0 up. Matthew McCord converted a penalty corner for Instonians to make the score 2-1 in the 30th minute. Max Cantwell added a third goal for the visitors in the 37th minute to leave Corinthians 3-1 ahead. Philip Hamill’s 64th minute penalty corner goal for Instonians made the final score Instonians 2 Corinthians 3.

 

UCD 1 ANNADALE 2

UCD took on Annadale in a relegation six pointer. Anything less than a win could see UCD relying on other results to go there way over the next three games to avoid facing automatic relegation alongside the already doomed Instonians whose Midweek defeat to Lisnagarvey after a run of two positive results has effectively relegated them. UCD in 9th need points to leapfrog Annadale and a game against their 8th placed opponents perhaps their best chance of a potential win. A closely fought first quarter couldn’t break the stalemate. David Tremlett converted a penalty corner to give Annadale the lead in the 30th minute. UCD created numerous chances and were awarded several penalty corners they could not convert being unable to find their way past the Annadale defence and goalkeeper until the 67th minute when Benjamin Stewart converted a penalty corner and looked to have secured a point at 1-1. However Annadale had other ideas and Adam McAllister scored in the 69th minute to snatch a win for Annadale by 2-1.

 

EYHL WOMEN’S DIVISION 1

CATHOLIC INSTITUTE 2 OLD ALEXANDRA 1

Catholic Institute came back from being 0-1 down at Rosbrien , scoring twice in the fourth quarter to secure a win in the EYHL Women’s Division 1. The first half was scoreless and the scoreline was 0-0 until the 43rd minute. The visitors were awarded a penalty corner which was converted by Robyn Hetherington. Old Alex were leading 1-0 at the end of the third quarter. Leah Clery led the comeback for Catholic Institute scoring after only 57 minutes. Naomi Carroll completed the turnaround for the hosts scoring what proved to be the winning goal in the 63rd minute to secure the points on a 2-1 scoreline.

 

CORINTHIANS 0 MONKSTOWN 1

Monkstown’s bid to avoid relegation got a boost today when they collected all three points from their visit to St. Columba’s College.  A scoreless first half meant it was still 0-0 at half-time. The match was decided by the only goal of the game for Monkstown,  Chloe Watkins scoring from open play in the 41st minute securing all three points on offer. Rivals Pegasus loss to UCD was more good news for the Sky Blues.

 

PEGASUS 2 UCD 3

Pegasus took on UCD at Queens University in this EYHL Women’s Division game. The first quarter was scoreless and when the first goal of the game arrived it came for Pegasus in the 20th minute Zara Malseed scoring from open play. Sarah McAuley equalised for UCD in the 29th minute. UCD captain Emma Paul gave the visitors the lead when she converted a penalty corner in the 32nd minute and UCD were 2-1 ahead at half-time.  Sarah McAuley increased the lead for UCD from a converted penalty corner in the 45th minute to leave UCD 3-1 up at the end of the third quarter. Pegasus got a second goal in the fourth quarter from Sophie McDowell in the 63rd minute but it proved to be a consolation goal as UCD ended the game winning 3-2.

 

PEMBROKE WANDERERS 1 LORETO 1

EYHL Women’s Division 1 champions for 2023-24 Loreto travelled to Serpentine Avenue to take on Pembroke. The hosts took the lead in the 30th minute. Amy Kate Trevor converting a penalty corner to put Pembroke 1-0 ahead. Loreto whose defeat in the equivalent fixture last season cost them the League 12 months ago responded and gained a share of the spoils thanks to Yasmin Pratt’s goal from open play in the 49th minute.

 

ULSTER ELKS 0 RAILWAY UNION 5

Lily Lloyd grabbed  a goal for Railway Union from open play in the 6th minute. Sarah Hawkshaw added a second in the 19th minute. Railway Union led 2-0 at half-time. Emma Smyth opened her account in the 50th minute to make it 3-0. Niamh Carey made it 4-0 in the 58th minute and Emma Smyth added a fifth in the 62nd minute the game finished Ulster Elks 0 Railway Union 5. Railway look set to finish second in the EYHL Women’s Division 1 this season following this win.

EYHL WOMEN’S DIVISION 2 POOL A 

KILKENNY 0 AVOCA 3

Avoca travelled to Kilkenny College in need of a win. The first half was scoreless. Early in the third quarter things began to change. Avoca took the lead through a converted penalty corner by Molly Cole in the 38th minute.  Zoe Watterson’s goa,l from open play in the 40th minute increased their advantage to 2-0. Aisling Cullen scored from open play in the 53rd minute ensured the win for Avoca by 3-0 and maximum points for the Dubliners.

 

CORK HARLEQUINS  6 GREENFIELDS 0 

Greenfield had a chastening visit to Farmer’s Cross on Saturday. Michelle Barry opened the scoring in the 27th minute 1-0 to Harlequins. Joy Sampson added a second in the 28th minute 2-0 to Harlequins. Cliodhna Sargent added a third in the 30th minute. They led 3-0 at half time. Michelle Barry got her second of the game to make it 4-0 in the 40th minute. Cliodhna Sargent added a fifth in the 49th minute and a 70th minute goal from Alex Dale left the final score Harlequins 6 Greenfields 0.

 

EYHL MEN’S DIVISION 2 POOL A

PEMBROKE WANDERERS 3 BANGOR 3

Ryan Burgess gave Bangor the lead at Serpentine Avenue in. the 6th minute when he converted a penalty corner. Bangor led 1-0 at half time. James Holley increased the visitors’ lead with a goal from open play in the 43rd minute. 2-0 to Bangor. Pembroke got off the mark through a penalty corner converted by Ross Breytenbach in the  52nd minute. Cian Murphy scored a goal from open play in the 54th minute to make it 2-2 . Jack Flanagan gave Pembroke Wanderers a 3-2 lead in the 63rd minute. But just as it seemed Pembroke would hold out for the win, Bangor responded with a final minute goal by Ryan Burgess from a converted penalty corner to leave the final score 3-3.

 

AVOCA 5 BANDON 0

Details to follow, shortly.

 

EYHL MEN’S DIVISION 2 POOL B

CORK HARLEQUINS 3 CHURCH OF IRELAND 4

A seven-goal thriller at Garryduff. Julian Dale gave Harlequins the lead in the 14th minute converting a penalty corner 1-0 to Harlequins. Church of Ireland equalised through Gearoid Cashman in the 22nd minute.   It was 1-1 at half-time. Sam Dale gave Harlequins a 2-1 lead in the 45th minute when he converted a penalty corner. Julian Dale got his second goal of the game when he scored in the 57th minute to make it 3-1 to the hosts. Jamie Horgan responded for C of I in the 59th minute to make it 3-2 and then two goals from Jonathan Bruton in the 64th minute from a penalty corner and in the final minute from open play secured the win for the visitors. The game finished Cork Harlequins 3 Cork Church of Ireland 4.

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The Royal School Armagh crowned Kate Russell All Ireland Schoolgirls Champions

Friday, Mar 22: The second and final day of the Kate Russell All Ireland Senior Schoolgirls’ Championships took place in Armagh today with the hosts The Royal School of Armagh in poll position after Day 1, St. Angela’s in second place and Wesley College in third. Each of the five participating teams had two more round robin games to play before the final positions were decided and the Champions, second and third place prizes awarded.

 

DAY 2/ GAME 1: COLAISTE IOGNAID 0  WESLEY COLLEGE 6

Colaiste Iognaid, the Connacht provincial representatives, had been on the receiving end of a couple of hidings on Day 1 and went into this game with the defending champions determined that this trend would not continue. The first quarter was scoreless. Milla Fulton gave Wesley College the lead and exerted enormous pressure during the latter end of the second quarter. Half time score was Colaiste Iognaid 0 Wesley College 1. Galway’s Colaiste Iognaid defended their goal tenaciously and ensured that when the half time hooter blew they were only a goal behind. Colaiste Iognaid forced their first penalty corner in the third quarter as an indication of their improved performance in this particular match. Milla Fulton was yellow carded as was Sarah Ruttle so at one stage Wesley College were down to 9 players in the third quarter but Colaiste were unable to turn their numerical advantage into a goal. It remained 0-1 to Wesley at the end of the third quarter. One of Wesley’s most impressive performers was Annabel Squires, who is also an Under 19 cricket international player for Ireland. Wesley’s first penalty corner of the fourth quarter went wide. A second penalty corner saw Milla Fulton force a save from Iognaid keeper Emily Fitzgerald, but  Evelyn Quick reacted quickest to the rebound for Wesley almost within a minute to make it Colaiste Iognaid 0 Wesley 2. A third penalty corner for Wesley College resulted in the Dublin school being awarded a penalty stroke and Milla Fulton got her second of the game, when she made no mistake to leave Wesley College 3-0 ahead. Sarah Ruttle made it 4-0 for Wesley a minute later. Annabel Squires teed up Stewart who found Milla Fulton in space and she completed her hat-trick to make it 5-0. Culbert  found Sarah Ruttle made it 6-0 to Wesley just before the end.

 

DAY 2/ GAME 2: THE ROYAL SCHOOL ARMAGH 1  KILKENNY COLLEGE 0 

Hosts Royal School went into their third game of the tournament top of the table with a 100% record. Looking to add to their points total, Grace McCool scored for Royal School in the first quarter. And they enjoyed a period of ascendancy in that first quarter which ended with Royal School 1-0 ahead. Kilkenny College managed to keep Daisy Nicholson of Royal School off the scoresheet after her hat-trick exploits on Day 1 against Colaiste Iognaid. But this was a close and tightly fought game and remained so till the final hooter. In the second quarter, Kilkenny enjoyed more possession but were unable to carve out the equaliser needed. They had created numerous chances which produced a fair share of penalty corners that they were unable to convert. It was still 1-0 at half time. In the third quarter Kilkenny forced a penalty corner their fifth of the game but their captain Amy Handcock was unable to make it count. Play went from end to end during this quarter and Royal School Armagh goalkeeper Vicky Cupples had to be sharp to deny Kilkenny an equaliser in the closing stages of the third quarter. A succession of penalty corners for Kilkenny were repelled by an Armagh defense marshalled staunchly by goalkeeper Vicky Cupples and Joanie Cunningham.  Armagh then proceeded to take the initiative and forced a few penalty corners of their own but their was no further scoring. Lily Grace of Kilkenny College was chosen player of the match which ended Royal School Armagh 1 Kilkenny College 0.

 

AFTER MORNING  ROUNDS

 

TEAMS P W D L F A GD PTS
THE ROYAL SCHOOL 3 3 0 0 10 1 9 9
WESLEY COLLEGE 3 1 1 1 7 3 4 4
ST ANGELAS COLLEGE 2 1 1 0 2 1 1 4
KILKENNY COLLEGE 3 1 0 2 5 2 3 3
COLAISTE IGNAID 3 0 0 3 2 19 -16 0

 

DAY 2/ GAME 3: COLAISTE IOGNAID 0  ST. ANGELA’S 2

St. Angela’s took the lead through Aine Power from a converted penalty corner in the first quarter. They added a second in the second quarter when St. Angela’s were awarded a penalty stroke. Aine Power converted with aplomb to register her second goal of the game.  It was Colaiste Iognaid 0 St. Angela’s 2 at half-time. Colaiste Iognaid had a penalty corner near the end of the third quarter, but they didn’t score. Aine Power and Beth Ann O’Farrell combined but could find no way past the Colaiste Iognaid defense early in the fourth quarter from another penalty corner. St. Angela’s finished strongly, forcing a couple of penalty corners late on, but they did enough to finish the game, winning 2-0 and remaining unbeaten going into their final pool match with Royal School Armagh who had 3 wins from 3 and 9 points. St. Angela’s having drawn one of their three matches to this point now need to beat Royal School Armagh in that match to win the Championship. St. Angela’s Aine Power was selected player of the match by the commentary team.

 

DAY 2/ GAME 4: WESLEY COLLEGE 3  KILKENNY COLLEGE 2

Two teams whose championship aspirations were over managed to produce the most entertaining game of the tournament so far. Wesley College took the lead with a goal through Imogen Stanley to put themselves 1-0 ahead. Kilkenny College got back on terms with a goal from Sara Sheehan to make it 1-1. Milla Fulton restored Wesley Colleges lead. It was 2-1 to Wesley at the end of the first quarter. Amy Handcock equalised for Kilkenny College with a converted penalty corner early in the second quarter to make the score 2-2. Kilkenny had a number of chances to take the lead during this quarter but did not convert them and it remained 2-2 at half-time. Wesley College goalkeeper Lucy Bond was the busier of the two goalkeepers in the third quarter but it remained 2-2 heading into the final quarter. In the closing moments of the game Milla Fulton sent it in and the Kilkenny College keeper played it and it fell to Laura Heaney to make it 3-2 to Wesley College. That was how it was when the final hooter blew. Amy Handcock of Kilkenny College was chosen as player of the match by the commentary team.

 

DAY 2/ GAME 5: THE ROYAL SCHOOL ARMAGH 2  ST. ANGELA’S COLLEGE  2 

First played second in the final match of the Kate Russell All Ireland Senior Girls Hockey Championship in Armagh. Schools Champions of Ulster versus Schools Champions of Munster to decide the outcome. Both teams went into this game undefeated. After some end to end play early on Royal School Armagh took the lead through a goal from Grace McCool in the first quarter. 1-0 to Royal School Armagh, in a march that St. Angela’s needed to win to secure the championship. A draw would do the hosts to secure the title.

It was still 1-0 to Royal School at the end of quarter one. St. Angela’s started the second quarter strongly and  Nicole Clarke equalised from a converted penalty corner for them early in the second quarter.

Royal School responded when Hanna Redmond got a goal somewhat against the run of play to leave Royal School leading 2-1 at half-time. St. Angela’s got a penalty corner at the start of the third quarter Emma Naughton converting to make it 2-2. It was 2-2 at the end of the third quarter.  Royal School Armagh were awarded a penalty corner early in the fourth quarter. From this penalty corner they were awarded a penalty stroke. Up stepped Joanie Cunningham, and she hit the post, what a let off for St. Angela’s College, and the score stayed at 2-2.  This was the first penalty stroke missed of the entire tournament.  Daisy Nicholson went on a solo run and looked certain to score for Royal School Armagh but she missed the target but they won a penalty corner with their next effort. Royal Armagh’s penalty corner didn’t produce a goal and

St. Angela’s won possession back with two minutes to go. But Royal School Armagh held out for the draw they needed to win the championship for the 5th time. Royal School Armagh’s Rianna Gillespie was selected as player of the match by the commentary team on the livestream. Ellie Stephenson of Royal School Armagh was voted Player of the Tournament.

 

 

TEAMS P W D L F A GD PTS
THE ROYAL SCHOOL 4 3 1 0 12 3 9 10
ST ANGELAS COLLEGE 4 2 2 0 6 3 3 8
WESLEY COLLEGE 4 2 1 1 10 5 5 7
KILKENNY COLLEGE 4 1 0 3 7 5 2 3
COLAISTE IGNAID 4 0 0 4 2 20 -18 0

 

DAY 2 RESULTS

COLAISTE IOGNAID 0-6  WESLEY COLLEGE

THE ROYAL SCHOOL 1-0 KILKENNY COLLEGE

COLAISTE IOGNAID  0-2 ST. ANGELA’S

WESLEY COLLEGE 3-2 KILKENNY COLLEGE

THE ROYAL SCHOOL 2-2  ST. ANGELA’S.

 

We spoke to Royal School Armagh head coach Greg Thompson after their Championship win:

“It was a very competitive tournament from start to finish. St. Angela’s pushed us all the way I am very glad we held out in the end. Going into today we had done the double-double (Ulster Schools League and Cup in 2023 and 2024). We have lots of experience in the squad about 9-10 have represented Ulster at this stage and some of those have gone on to represent Ireland at underage level. We will lose 5 of this squad at the end of this year, they are doing A Levels and will head off to University. The Firsts have done the treble, the seconds and thirds have won their Cups and the Under 14s have won their competitions as well. The girls across the school are hardworking and committed. We only opened the new pitch in September to be standing here and looking at the girls celebrating it’s all come together very well. We’d like to thank all the parents, the sponsors and everyone who helped us to host the tournament.” 

 

 

 

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The Kate Russell All Ireland Schoolgirls Championships underway, Day 1 Results.

Thursday, Mar 21: Kate Russell was one of the most influential figures in the history of the Irish Ladies’ Hockey Union (ILHU). The inaugural Kate Russell All Ireland Schoolgirls’ Championships took place in 1980 to honour her memory and legacy.

The schools participating in the 2024 two-day tournament are Wesley College, St. Angela’s , Kilkenny College, Colaiste Ignaid and The Royal School Armagh, with all games taking place at The Royal School.

Day 1 today and the hosts got things underway taking on Colaiste Ignaid and it ended in a 7-1 win for Royal School Armagh.

In the second game St. Angela’s College took on Kilkenny College and St. Angela’s won this game 1-0.

The third game of the day was between Wesley College and Royal School Armagh; this would be Wesley’s first game of the tournament and the second for the hosts. The Royal School Armagh won this game 2-0.

The fourth game was between Kilkenny College and Colaiste Ignaid and Kilkenny bounded back from their earlier defeat to win 5-1.

In the fifth game of the day Wesley College took on St. Angela’s  this game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Day 2 and final day takes place tomorrow March 22, with fixtures commencing 9.30am. All games are available to view for free on hockey Ireland TV.

 

RESULTS 

ROYAL SCHOOL ARMAGH 7-1 COLAISTE IGNAID

KILKENNY COLLEGE 0 -1 ST. ANGELA’S COLLEGE

WESLEY COLLEGE 0 – 2 ROYAL SCHOOL ARMAGH

KILKENNY COLLEGE 5-1 COLAISTE IGNAID

WESLEY COLLEGE 1- 1 ST. ANGELA’S.

 

TEAMS  P W D L F A GD PTS
THE ROYAL SCHOOL 2 2 0 0 9 1 8 6
ST.ANGELA’S COLLEGE 2 1 1 0 2 1 1 4
KILKENNY COLLEGE 2 1 0 1 5 1 4 3
WESLEY COLLEGE 2 0 1 1 1 3 -2 1
COLAISTE IGNAID 2 0 0 2 2 12 -10 0

 

To view the Livestream, click HERE

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Core Funding for 2024 Announced

 

Sport Ireland today confirmed core funding of €410,000 for Hockey Ireland in 2024, representing a 7% increase of the 2023 allocation of EUR 383,000.

Overall, 2024 represents a record level of core funding for Sports Bodies with €30 million in core funding support to sporting organisations, including €17.3m investment for 58 National Governing Bodies of Sport and €11.4m investment for 29 Local Sports Partnerships.

Speaking at the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus today, Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education, Thomas Byrne T.D., said:

“The continued increase in core funding for sports bodies demonstrates the Government’s commitment to supporting Irish sport and will ensure that sport bodies can continue to provide valuable opportunities for everyone to participate in sport, in line with our National Sports Policy.”  

Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, Dr. Úna May, commented: 

“Sport Ireland welcomes this additional investment and is confident the NGBs, LSPs and Funded Bodies will continue to play a vital role as we enter the latter stages of the Government’s National Sports Policy.”

Hockey Ireland wishes to thank the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and the Department of Sport and Physical Education as well as Sport Ireland for their support as we look to grow and develop our sport across the Island of Ireland.

 

For the full report, click HERE

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HOCKEY IRELAND WEEKEND DOMESTIC FIXTURES PREVIEW: SATURDAY MARCH 23 AND SUNDAY MARCH 24 

HOCKEY IRELAND WEEKEND DOMESTIC FIXTURES PREVIEW: SATURDAY MARCH 23 AND SUNDAY MARCH 24 

 

This weekend sees the semi-final round of the Men’s Irish Senior Cup and the first semi-final in the Women’s Irish Senior Cup. We also have the semi-finals in the Men’s Irish Hockey Challenge.

All of these matches take place in addition to a full round of fixtures in the EY Hockey League Division 1 and 2 for both Men and Women.

 

SATURDAY. 23 MARCH 2024

 

EYHL MEN’S DIVISION 1

GLENANNE V YMCA 13:30 ST. ANDREW’S COLLEGE

THREE ROCK ROVERS V LISNAGARVEY 14:00 GRANGE ROAD

MONKSTOWN V BANBRIDGE 14:20 RATHDOWN SCHOOL

INSTONIANS V CORINTHIANS 14:30 SHAWSBRIDGE

UCD V ANNADALE 14:45  NATIONAL STADIUM UCD

 

EYHL WOMEN’S DIVISION 1

PEGASUS V UCD  12:45 QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY SPORTSGROUNDS

CATHOLIC INSTITUTE V OLD ALEXANDRA 12:45 ROSBRIEN

PEMBROKE WANDERERS V LORETO 12:45 SERPENTINE AVENUE

CORINTHIANS V MONKSTOWN 13:15 ST.COLUMBA’S COLLEGE

ULSTER ELKS V RAILWAY UNION 14:30 ULSTER UNIVERSITY SPORTGROUNDS JORDANSTOWN

 

EYHL  MEN’S DIVISION 2 POOL A

PEMBROKE WANDERERS V BANGOR. 15:00 SERPENTINE AVENUE

AVOCA V BANDON. 14:30. NEWPARK SCHOOL

 

EYHL MEN’S DIVISION 2 POOL B

RAILWAY UNION V COOKSTOWN. 13:30 PARK AVENUE

CORK HARLEQUINS V CORK CHURCH OF IRELAND 14:45 HARLEQUINS PARK

 

EYHL WOMEN’S DIVISION 2 POOL A

KILKENNY V AVOCA. 12:00 KILKENNY COLLEGE

CORK HARLEQYINS V GREENFIELDS. 14:45 HARLEQUINS PARK

 

EYHL WOMEN’S DIVISION 2 POOL B 

MUCKROSS V ARDS. 13:00  MUCKROSS SCHOOL

UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY V LURGAN. 14:00 DANGAN

 

MEN’S IRISH HOCKEY CHALLENGE SEMI-FINAL

WESTON V PSNI 15:00 GRIFFEEN PARK

CI MEN V  LIMERICK  14:30 CIYMS SPORTS COMPLEX

 

SUNDAY MARCH 24, 2024

 

MEN’S IRISH SENIOR CUP SEMI-FINALS 

LISNAGARVEY V THREE ROCK ROVERS  14:00  COMBER ROAD

BANBRIDGE. V COOKSTOWN 15:00 HAVELOCK PARK

 

WOMEN’S IRISH SENIOR CUP SEMI-FINAL

LORETO V CATHOLIC INSTITUTE 13:40 LORETO BEAUFORT

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Hockey Ireland Domestic Weekend Results Round-Up – Friday March 15 and Saturday March 16

FRIDAY MARCH 15TH 2024

EY HOCKEY LEAGUE WOMEN’S DIVISION 2 POOL A 

AVOCA 2 KILKENNY 2

Avoca, who lost out on winning the Leinster Women’s Division 1 title on Tuesday last losing to eventual champions Muckross, faced into a must win match on this occasion against Kilkenny on Friday night. Finishing 2nd in the Leinster Women’s Division 1 may not be enough to secure a place in the 2024/25 EYHL 2 if Monkstown and Corinthians both get relegated from the Women’s EYHL Division 1. Both clubs before this game started, occupied places 9 and 10 in the top Division which of course are automatic relegation spots. As there are only 3 guaranteed places for Leinster Division 1 sides in next season’s competition two of these would be occupied, as things stand, by two current members of the EYHL Division 1 namely Monkstown and Corinthians. This meant that Avoca needed to win the EYHL 2 or at least reach the final to have any chance of getting promoted in the next two years, assuming Monkstown do not avoid relegation.

To be fair to the home side they did get off to a good early start and took the lead through a Sorcha McCooey goal from open play in the 9th minute. Avoca were awarded a penalty stroke and captain Anna Richardson made no mistake in the 27th minute to give Avoca a seemingly comfortable 2-0 lead in the 27th minute. Just before half time Kilkenny got on the scoresheet through captain Paula Farrell who converted a penalty corner in the 33rd minute to leave the half time score 2-1 to Avoca. Niamh Spratt-O’Shea converted a penalty corner to give the Marble City side an equalising goal in the 47th minute and that turned out to be the final score Avoca 2 Kilkenny 2.

 

SATURDAY MARCH 16TH 2024

GREENFIELDS 2 CORK HARLEQUINS 5

Yvonne O’Byrne opened her account for Cork Harlequins in this EYHL  Women’s Division 2 Pool A clash at Dangan, in the 16th minute with a goal from open play. Greenfields equalised when Zara O’Toole scored from open play in the 20th minute to make the score 1-1. Yvonne O’Byrne added a second from a converted penalty corner in the 27th minute to restore Harlequins lead 2-1. She added a third from open play in the 33rd minute and a fourth in the 52nd minute to leave the Corkwomen 4-1 ahead.  Zara O’Toole got her second of the match for Greenfields in the 62nd minute to make it 4-2 to Harlequins and Harlequins captain Michelle Barry added a fifth goal to secure a 5-2 win for Quins.

EYHL MEN’S DIVISION 1 

CORINTHIAN 1 GLENANNE 3

Glenanne fresh from their dramatic 5-5 draw with defending champions Banbridge last Sunday, got out of the blocks and were 1-0 up through a goal from open play by Jason Rogan in the 20th minute. Shane O’Donoghue opened his account in the 39th minute, converting a penalty corner. A 51st minute penalty stroke converted by Shane O’Donoghue marked his second of the game and put the visitors 3-0 up in the 51st minute. Corinthians got on the scoresheet a minute later when a Max Neill penalty corner left the final score Corinthians 1 Glenanne 3.

 

BANBRIDGE 2 THREE ROCK ROVERS 2 

Three Rock Rovers took on defending champions Banbridge in the fortress that is Havelock Park. They took the lead in the 7th minute through a goal by Alistair Empey from open play. It was 1-0 to the visitors at the end of the first quarter.  Banbridge got back on terms through Louis Rowe in the 28th minute also from open play and another goal by Matthew McKee had the home side leading 2-1 by half-time. Just when it looked like the League leaders had done enough to win the match Ben Johnson got a late equalising goal for the visitors when he converted a 68th minute penalty corner to leave the final score 2-2.

 

LISNAGARVEY  2  YMCA 3

Lisnagarvey in 2nd place at the start of play failed to capitalise on leaders Banbridge dropped points when they lost a 5 goal battle to visitors YMCA.

Ross Henderson gave the Dubliners the lead in the 24th minute. They led 1-0 at half-time. Tevin Kok increased their lead in the 36th minute with a goal from open play. Ross Henderson got his second of the game in the 45th minute from open play to leave YM leading by 3-0. Garvey eventually got on the scoresheet through Matthew Nelson’s converted penalty corner in the 52nd minute.

 

ANNADALE  2 MONKSTOWN 4

Annadale hosted Monkstown at UUJ in this EYHL Men’s Division 1 game. David Vincent opened the scoring for the visitors in the 3rd minute from open play. Geoff Cole increased Monkstown’s lead in the 20th minute. David Vincent got his second of the game to make it 3-0 to Monkstown in the 28th minute. Annadale responded through Adam McAllister 42nd minute from open play. Spencer Pinion added a second goal for Annadale in the 51st minute to make it 3-2 to Monkstown and Sam Hohn’s 63rd minute converted penalty corner secured the win for Monkstown on a scoreline of Annadale 2 Monkstown 4.

 

UCD 2 INSTONIANS 2

For both sides in this clash at the National Stadium in Belfield this amounted to a must win fixture. Going into this game UCD were in 9th place in the League table and Instonians were in 10th having collected their first League point of the season last week at the 12th attempt. UCD took the lead in the 10th minute when player/coach Alan Sothern converted a penalty corner to put the students 1-0 up.  Just on the stroke of half-time Ben Palmer equalised for the Belfast side with a converted penalty corner to leave both sides level 1-1 at half-time. Alan Sothern got his second of the game from another penalty corner in the 56th minute to put UCD 2-1 up. And just when it looked as if the students had done enough to secure the win, Ben Palmer converted a second penalty corner in the 66th minute to ensure a share of the spoils for 10th placed Instonians.

UCD had numerous chances to put this game out of sight and must rue their missed chances. Instonians to their credit kept plugging away and took the opportunities they got.  Newly reappointed coach Stephen Redpath has returned to take up the reins in an effort to pull Instonians out of the mire. And even with 5 games remaining this task might be a bridge too far. But two points from two outings does represent something of an improvement and is definitely a positive turnaround despite the seemingly impossible nature of the task at hand.

 

UCD: Ross Clarke, Samuel Ryder, Kevin O’Dea (C), Josh Filgas, Adam Luke Galbraith, Callum Hewat, Bryan Lyndon, Harry Lynch, Conor Walsh, Mark Collins SUBS USED: Mark Smyth. (6 mins), Sam Walker  (6 Mins), Alan Sothern (7 mins), Benjamin Stewart (10 mins)

INSTONIANS: Finlay Marney, Matthew Steele, Philip Hamill, Ben Palmer, Ross Kelly, Stephen Kelso, Gavin Lecky, Andrew Corry, Gabriel Tenner, John Colville, David Arneill  SUBS USED: Matthew McCord (9 mins), Matthew Martin (10 mins), James Palmer (10 mins), Joshua Kidd (15 mins), Ethan Young (27 mins)

 

EYHL WOMEN’S DIVISION 1

LORETO 4 ULSTER ELKS 1

Loreto are the EYHL Champions for 2023/24 having beaten Ulster Elks by 4-1 and reaching 43 points. Even if Loreto lost all their remaining fixtures and second placed Railway Union won all their remaining fixtures including their game in hand the maximum they could get is 41. Síofra O’Brien converted a penalty corner to give Loreto the lead in the 6th minute 1-0. Caoimhe Perdue made it 2-0 when she converted a penalty corner in the 23rd minute. Rachel Kelly made it 3-0 from open play in the 38th minute. Ulster Elks responded straightaway  when Chloe Stewart scored from open play to make it 3-1. Hannah McLoughlin converted a 54th minute penalty corner to make the final score Loreto 4 Ulster Elks 1.

 

MONKSTOWN 0 CATHOLIC INSTITUTE 2

Monkstown’s battle against Catholic Institute took an unpromising turn at Rathdown where they lost 0-2 at home to 2022 Irish Senior Cup winners Catholic Institute. The current cup holders found themselves behind in the 15th minute when Ireland international Naomi Carroll scored from open play. It was still 1-0 at half-time. Despite Monkstown’s best efforts the score remained 0-1 in favour of the Shannonsiders going into the closing stages and Laura Foley added a second goal in the 67th minute to secure the win for Catholic Institute, by 2-0.

 

CORINTHIAN 1  PEMBROKE WANDERERS 2

Bottom of the table Corinthians took on Pembroke Wanderers at St. Columba’s College and found themselves on the wrong end of a 2-1 scoreline. Hannah Irwin scored for Pembroke Wanderers in the 5th minute from open play to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. Isobel Field increased the visitor’s lead in the 8th minute to leave Pembroke 2-0 ahead and they led by this margin at half-time. There was no scoring in the third quarter and just when it appeared Pembroke might have kept a clean sheet, Lynne Pomeroy scored for the hosts in the 67th minute from open play to leave the final score Corinthians 1 Pembroke Wanderers.

 

OLD ALEXANDRA 2 PEGASUS 1 

Pegasus came down from Belfast in search of League points to put daylight between themselves and ninth placed Monkstown. The first two quarters were scoreless and it remained 0-0 at half time.  Alex Speers gave Pegasus the lead in the 36th minute from open play. The lead only lasted six minutes as a 42nd minute goal from Bethany Russ from open play equalised matters at 1-1. Old Alex completed the turnaround and secured all the points when Elva Kerr scored from open play in the 68th minute to make the final score Old Alexandra 2 Pegasus 1.

 

UCD 1 RAILWAY UNION 2

Second placed Railway Union took on UCD at the National Stadium in Belfield in this EYHL Division 1 clash. Former student Niamh Carey opened the scoring for Railway Union  in the 6th minute. Railway had the lion’s share of possession and chances in the first half . The vistors still led by a soiltary goal at half time. UCD couldn’t convert a number of penalty corners in the third quarter and Railway Union increased their lead in the 64th minute when Emma Smyth scored from open play. What the Railway captain was capable of doing was replicated by Ireland international Sarah McAuley who scored from open play for the students to leave the final score UCD 1 Railway Union 2. Railway Union will most likely secure second place in this Division but Loreto are the Champions and have secured the first automatic semi-final place in the Champions Trophy. The second placed team in the Division also get an automatic semi-final spot so it’s anything but a consolation price as the post season race for an  EYHL place hots up.

UCD: Erika Gallagher, Aine Naughton, Katie-Jane Marshall, Caoimhe Byrne, Ali Griffin, Sarah McAuley, Sophia Cole, Lauren Moore,  Mikayla Power, Emma Paul (C), Anna McCarthy  SUBS USED: Sydney Weir McErlean (5 mins),  Leah O’Shea (6 mins), Florence Maughan (6 mins), Lauren Jonston (6 mins)

RAILWAY UNION: Emma Buckley, Sarah Patton, Niamh Carey, Michelle Carey, Lisa McCarthy, Aebhfinn Burke, Kate Mullan, Emma Smyth (C), Sarah Hawkshaw, Orla Fox, Lily Lloyd, Jenny Long, Kate Dillon, Niamh Shaw, Clodagh Ferry, Saoirse Griffin

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Hockey Ireland Weekend Domestic Fixtures Preview: Friday 15th and Saturday 16th

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

 

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