Hockey Ireland Domestic Weekend Results Round-Up – Saturday March 2

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.

/by

Hockey Volunteers Recognised in National Volunteers in Sports Awards Ceremony

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.

/by

Sports Pro Travel joins the Hockey Ireland family as Official Travel Partner

Sports Pro Travel joins the Hockey Ireland family as Official Travel Partner 

 

29 February 2024, Dublin: Hockey Ireland are pleased to announce its new partnership with Sports Pro Travel. The partnership presents Sports Pro Travel as the ‘Official Travel Partner” of Hockey Ireland and incorporates the support and provision of travel services for Hockey Ireland’s High-Performance teams.

The partnership also paves the way for the provision of travel services across the wider hockey community including benefits to Clubs and Members, as well as the development of fan travel packages and related products and services.

Commenting on the new partnership, Anne McCormack, Hockey Ireland CEO commented:

“We have been working with Sports Pro Travel for a number of months now and we have been very impressed by their competitiveness, the level of their service, and their knowledge of sport-related travel requirements. We are constantly looking for ways to support the wider hockey community and offer relevant services and benefits, and it therefore made sense for us to move the engagement to the next level and have Sports Pro Travel join us as our travel partner. We look forward to working closely with them to develop relevant travel services and exciting experiences for our hockey community in the years ahead.”

Sports Pro Travel have converted their individual passion for sport into a thriving business with a team focus on managing all aspects of sporting professional’s travel requirements. Offering a 24/7 dedicated in-house service, they are the preferred travel partner for many high profile teams across the UK and Ireland. Through their partner business, Sports Entertainment Tours, there is also a sporting events service for fans and supporters.

As part of the agreement, Sports Pro Travel will also become a sponsor of the Hockey Ireland U21 Men’s and Women’s high-performance teams, bringing their support to the development of hockey talent and the Hockey Ireland pathway programme. The partnership is set out for three years and both parties are focused on building areas of mutual interest.

John Boyde, Sports Pro Travel Managing Director, added:

“We are delighted to be supporting Hockey Ireland and the wider community with their travel requirements. As an agency we take great pride in delivering an end to end service for our sports clients that is entirely bespoke to meet their ever changing needs. Our team are all sports fans and are looking forward to working with Hockey Ireland. We are grateful to them for entrusting their travel requirements to us.”

/by

Hockey Ireland Domestic Fixtures Preview: Saturday March 2.

A relatively quiet weekend in the top Divisions of the EY Hockey League, with only one fixture in each Division, but a busy programme in EYHL 2 and in cup competitions. Here are the national fixtures for the weekend:

 

SATURDAY MARCH 2ND 2024

MEN’S EYHL DIVISION 1

THREE ROCK ROVERS V YMCA  13:00  GRANGE ROAD

 

WOMEN’S EYHL DIVISION 1

RAILWAY UNION  V LORETO  13:30  PARK AVE.

 

MEN’S EYHL 2 POOL A 

PEMBROKE WANDERERS  V QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY   13:00   SERPENTINE AVE

BANGOR  V BANDON  14:30  BANGOR AURORA

 

MEN’S EYHL 2 POOL B 

CORK CHURCH OF IRELAND V COOKSTOWN  12:00  GARRYDUFF

CORK HARLEQUINS  V SOUTH ANTRIM 14:45  HARLEQUINS PARK, FARMER’S CROSS

 

WOMEN’S EYHL 2 POOL A

CORK HARLEQUINS  V  BELFAST HARLEQUINS   12:45  HARLEQUINS PARK, FARMER’S CROSS

GREENFIELDS  V AVOCA  14:30 DANGAN

 

WOMEN’S EYHL 2 POOL B 

MUCKROSS   V UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK   13:00  MUCKROSS PARK
ARDS V LURGAN  14:30 LONDONDERRY PARK

 

MEN’S IRISH HOCKEY CHALLENGE QUARTER FINAL SECOND LEG

CI   V PORTRUSH   14.30  CIYMS SPORTS GROUNDS

MIDLETON V LIMERICK   15.00  MIDLETON

 

WOMEN’S IRISH HOCKEY CHALLENGE

KILKEEL  V TIPPERARY   14.30  KILKEEL HIGH SCHOOL

WATERFORD V BANGOR  14.00  NEWTOWN SCHOOL

 

MEN’S IRISH HOCKEY  JUNIOR CUP

LISNAGARVEY  V THREE ROCK ROVERS  14.30 COMBER ROAD

UCD V BANBRIDGE   14.45  NATIONAL STADIUM, BELFIELD

RATHGAR V CORK  13.00  CHURCH OF IRELAND  HIGH SCHOOL

CORINTHIAN V PORTRANE  11.30  ST. COLUMBA’S COLLEGE

 

WOMEN’S IRISH HOCKEY JUNIOR CUP

RAILWAY UNION V CORK HARLEQUINS   15.30 PARK AVENUE

UCC V PEGASUS  13.00 THE MARDYKE

ULSTER  ELKS  V PEMBROKE WANDERERS   14.30  JORDANSTOWN

LORETO V CATHOLIC INSTITUTE   15.30   BEAUFORT

/by

Hockey Ireland Domestic Weekend Results Round-Up – Saturday Feb 24 & Sunday Feb 25

MEN’S IRISH SENIOR CUP QUARTER FINALS

The World’s Oldest Club Hockey Cup

.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 24th, 2024

THREE ROCK ROVERS 5 UCD 3
An eight goal thriller at Grange Road ended with a late consolation goal for UCD who had been trailing 5-2 for a spell. Alastair Empey and Rex Dunlop with two goals apiece and a further goal for Zach Silverman had put Three Rock Rovers in the driving seat. It ended 5-3, Mark Smyth scoring twice for the visitors and Conor Walsh also on the mark for the visitors. Given results elsewhere on the day and that the only other quarter-final is an all-Ulster affair between Instonians and Cookstown, Rovers are the only non-Ulster side left in the competition.

The other 2 quarter-finals on Saturday results were as follows :

LISNAGARVEY 4 YMCA 1

GLENANNE 1 BANBRIDGE 3

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 25th, 2024

INSTONIANS  1 COOKSTOWN 4

Cookstown defeated Instonians to reach the last four of the Men’s Irish Senior Cup. This added to their clinching of Ulster Men’s Premier League title last weekend has made this a very good 10 days for Cookstown. Cookstown were awarded a penalty corner early on, but Instonians’ keeper Marney Finlay saved it. Despite this, they ran out comfortable 4-1 winners in the end, thanks to a hat-trick for eliminating EYHL opposition in the process.

This win confirms the four teams in the draw for the semi-finals as: Banbridge, Cookstown, Lisnagarvey and Three Rock Rovers.

WOMEN’S IRISH SENIOR CUP QUARTER FINALS

.

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 25th, 2024

CATHOLIC INSTITUTE 3 QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY 0

Catholic Institute beat Queens University 3-0 at Risbrien on Sunday afternoon. Two first half goals by Leah Clery had them 2-0 up by half-time Naomi Carroll added another in the second to see the 2022 Cup winners into the semi-finals of this year’s competition.

PEMBROKE WANDERERS 0 UCD 4

A scoreless first half was prevented by a single goal when Leah O’Shea converted a penalty corner for UCD in  the 31st minute.  It was 1-0 at half time.  A scoreless third quarter was followed by a busy fourth. Emma Paul led the way for UCD with a converted penalty corner in the 56th minute to make it 2-0 to UCD. UCD were awarded a penalty stroke in the 58th minute to make it 3-0 and Anna McCarthy converted another penalty corner in the 64th minute to send the 2020 winners into the last four on a 4-0 scoreline.

LORETO 5 ULSTER ELKS 3

Another eight-goal thriller at Beaufort. Jessica McMaster put Ulster Elks 1-0 ahead from a penalty corner. Loreto responded scoring three on the bounce, two goals from Rachel Kelly and one from Mia Jennings to lead 3-1. Bethany Harper got one back from a penalty corner to make it 3-2. There were further goals for Loreto by Yasmin Pratt and Emma Pasley and Jessica McMaster got her second penalty corner for Elks to leave the final score Loreto 5 Ulster Elks 3.

WOMEN’S IRISH HOCKEY TROPHY

.
On Saturday in this competition there were wins for Glenanne and Lisnagarvey.  The results as follows :-

LISNAGARVEY 2 MOSSLEY 0

GLENANNE 2 DUNGANNON 1

MEN’S IRISH HOCKEY TROPHY

.
Only one tie down for decision this all Ulster clash between North Down and Belfast Harlequins ended in a win for the home side.

NORTH DOWN 3 BELFAST HARLEQUINS 2

/by
,

IRL Men beaten by India in last game of first FIH Pro League adventure

FIH PRO LEAGUE Season 5, India

.

INDIA 4 IRELAND 0

February 25, India: Ireland went into their eighth and final match of the India series against the hosts at the Bursa Munda International Hockey stadium in Rourkela. They went into this game on the back of a 7-0 defeat against Spain the night before still in search of their first points of the series. Having run the hosts India close to a 0-1 defeat hopes were high of possibly gaining that elusive point on this occasion.

Ireland dominated the exchanges in the first quarter and Jeremy Duncan created a chance which was deflected into the air, Peter McKibbin forced the ball over the line, but the umpire had already awarded them a penalty corner. The first one resulted in a second and that got deflected behind for a long corner. Ireland not taking at least one of those chances came back to bite them as India got two goals within 90 seconds.

Matthew Nelson was penalised in the 14th minute and from the resultant penalty corner India took the lead through Nilikanta Sharma. A minute later India were further ahead when a field goal by Akashdeep made it 2-0. It was 2-0 at the end of the quarter. Ireland had two penalty corners in a row overturned on appeal to the video umpire, there was no further scoring in the second quarter, and it was still 2-0 to India at half-time.

Manpreet set up Gurjant for a goal to put India 3-0 up in the 38th minute. India were close to getting a fourth in the 45th minute but Carr saved at point blank range. Ireland trailed 3-0 at the end of the third quarter. There was no further scoring until the final seconds when Jugraj Singh scored from a retaken penalty corner in the final minute 4-0 to India. Ireland notched up the eighth defeat after eight games.

After the game Ireland Head Coach Mark Tumilty said: “Good response from the players today. We created numerous opportunities which we couldn’t capitalise on while India proved to be clinical in our circle. While the result is not what we want it was a pleasing performance to end this block. Overall, it has been an excellent experience in our build up to Paris and the players deserve credit for how they have applied themselves against the world’s best teams.”

INDIA: Sreejesh PARATTU RAVEEN PRAV (GK), Jarmanpreet SINGH, Manpreet SINGH, Hardik SINGH, Gurjant SINGH, Madeep SINGH, Harmanpreet SINGH ( C), Sukhreet SINGH, Sanjay. Raj Kumar PAL, Amit ROHIDAS. SUBS USED: Amir ALI (5 mins), Rabichanrdra MOIRANGTHEM (5 mins) Akashdeep SINGH (4 mins), Jugraj SINGH (4 mins), Upadhyay Lalit Kumar (5 mins) Nilikanta SHUMAR (4 mins)

IRELAND: Jamie Carr (GK), Luke Witherow, Daragh Walsh, Kevin O’Dea, O’Donoghue, Sean Murray (C), Peter McKibbin, Jeremy Duncan, Michael Robson, Sam Hyland, Ben Johnson SUBS USED: James Milliken (GK) mins, Charlie Rowe (6 mins), John McKee (4 mins) Matthew Nelson (4 mins), Peter Brown (6 mins), Lee Cole (5 mins), Nicholas Page (4 mins)

/by

Hockey Ireland Domestic Weekend Results Round-Up – Saturday Feb 24

EY HOCKEY LEAGUE WOMEN’S DIVISION 1 

CATHOLIC INSTITUTE 1 PEMBROKE WANDERERS 1

Roisín Begley gave the home side the lead in the 22nd minute with a goal from open play.

Just as it looked like Institute had held out for the win, Pembroke Wanderers were awarded a penalty corner. Sinéad Loughran, a University of Limerick alumnus, converted the effort to give the visitors a share of the spoils it ended 1-1.

 

OLD ALEXANDRA  1 UCD 1

A geographical rivalry was played out at Alexandra College where Old Alexandra hosted UCD.

The first half was scoreless and UCD had the better of the scoring chances. This pattern continued into the third quarter, and it was no surprise when an Emma Paul penalty corner gave UCD a 1-0 in the 52nd minute. A goal from UCD graduate Abi Russell gave the home side a share of the spoils and UCD collected their 7th draw of the League campaign as the game ended Old Alex 1 UCD 1.

 

ULSTER ELKS 1 CORINTHIANS 1

Bottom of the table side Corinthians collected their first League point of the season in this 1-1 draw with Ulster Elks at Jordanstown. Corinthians took the lead when Christine Powell converted a penalty corner in the 35th minute to leave the visitors 1-0 ahead at half-time.

Elks pegged back the lead on 61 minutes when Bethany Scott scored from open play.

 

PEGASUS 3 MONKSTOWN 1

Ninth placed Pegasus hosted Eighth placed Monkstown at Queens University this afternoon. Both sides went on to this game level on points with only goal difference separating them. A win for either side would them put daylight between themselves and their rivals and drop them into the bottom two of the table. Stefanie Ardis opened the scoring for Pegasus in the late game with an open play goal after 4 minutes. Alex Speers made it 2-0 in the 6th minute and Stefanie Ardis with her second of the game made it 3-0 in the 29th minute. Monkstown made a game of it when they converted a penalty stroke in the 44th minute Chloe Watkins doing the honours but it ended 3-1 to Pegasus. Pegasus go 8th in the table and Monkstown slip into 9th. Interesting times for both of these teams with four games to go.

 

EYHL 2 MEN’S POOL A

AVOCA 2  PEMBROKE WANDERERS 2

This all Leinster Division 1 A clash was a closely fought encounter at Newtown Park school.

Luca Prendergast opened the scoring in the 6th minute to give Avoca a 1-0 lead.

Cian Funge doubled their lead in the 39th minute to leave the hosts 2-0 ahead in quarter 3.

But Pembroke Wanderers   fought their back into the game . Ross Breytenbach converted a penalty corner in the 48th minute and

Henry Thompson from open play in the 55th minute ensured a share of the spoils for Wanderers with a goal from open play.

 

QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY 5 BANGOR 0

This all Ulster league clash was anything but a closely fought encounter.

Queen’s took the lead through Adam Reddick from open play in the 13th minute.

Conor Irwin converted a penalty corner in the 31st minute to make it 2-0 to the students.

Cody B Large scored twice in the 35th and 36th minutes to make it 4-0 .

Conor Irwin scored his second penalty corner of the match in the 53rd minute to make the final score Queens University 5 Bangor 0.

 

EYHL 2 MEN’S POOL B 

SOUTH ANTRIM 2 CORK CHURCH OF IRELAND 4

Ulster League side South Antrim took on Cork Church of Ireland at the Friends School in Lisburn. And the visitors made the long trip home worthwhile by taking home all of the points on offer. Oliver Patterson opened the scoring for the hosts in 39th minute, converting a penalty corner. Under 18 international Rob Olden responded for the Munster Division 1 side converting a penalty corner in the 44th minute. Max Turner restored the lead for South Antrim in the 51st minute, converting a penalty corner to put the Ulster side 2-1 up. Jonathan Bruton equalised for C of I in the 53rd minute from open play. 2-2. Gearóid Cashman made it 3-2 for the visitors in the 62nd minute and Jonathan Spillane secured the win for the Corkmen with another open play goal with three minutes to go. It finished South Antrim 2 Cork Church of Ireland 4.

 

RAILWAY UNION 1 CORK HARLEQUINS 5

Julian Dale opened the scoring for the visitors with a converted penalty corner in the 11th minute. He got his second of the game from open play in the 35th minute to leave Cork 2-0 ahead at the half time break. Julian Dale completed his hat-trick in the 41st minute from a converted penalty corner, to make it 3-0. He added his fourth goal of the game with another penalty corner in the 51st minute. Andrew Dale proved goalscoring for Cork Harlequins is a family affair by adding the 5th to leave the visitors 5-0 ahead. Jan Trejbal got a consolation goal for Railway with a 66th minute goal from open play to leave the final score Railway Union 1 Cork Harlequins 5.

 

EHYL 2 WOMEN’S POOL A

KILKENNY 1 CORK HARLEQUINS 4

Leinster Division 1 side Kilkenny hosted Munster Division 1 side Cork Harlequins in this EYHL 2 Women’s Pool A clash at Kilkenny College. Yvonne O’Byrne put the visitors 1-0 ahead in the 29th minute when she converted a penalty corner. Michelle Barry put the visitors 2-0 up with a goal from open play in the 39th minute. Yvonne O’Byrne got her second of the game when she scored from open play in the 46th minute to leave the visitors 3-0 ahead. Sophie Naughton’s 48th minute got Kilkenny on the scoresheet and back in the match for a spell, but Joy Sampson scored in 63rd minute for Harlequins to snuff out the hopes of a comeback. Kilkenny 1 Cork Harlequins 4.

 

BELFAST HARLEQUINS 5 GREENFIELDS 0

Connacht Division 1 side Greenfields decided to play both their home and away games in Dublin at the National Sports Campus and it made sense for both clubs economically speaking to do so. There was no need for either side to overnight in either city given that Dublin was closer to Galway than Belfast and also closer for the Ulsterwomen than Galway. Jennifer McAuley opened the scoring for Harlequins in their temporary ” home” with a goal from open play on the 3rd minute. Emma Fraser increased the lead for the Ulsterwomen a minute later 2-0 Harlequins.  Amy Cummings-Bell made it 3-0  in the 41st minute.  Jennifer McAuley added a fourth from a converted penalty corner in the 46th minute. Katherine Welsh man put the tin hat on a 5-0  win with a goal from open play in the 52nd minute. Belfast Harlequins 5 Greenfields 0

EYHL 2 WOMEN’S POOL B 

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK 4 ARDS 1

Abi O’Mahony gave UCC the lead with a goal from open play in the 7th minute. Julia McCarthy converted a penalty corner in the 20th minute to make it 2-0 for UCC. Abi O’Mahony  got her second open play goal of the game on the 30th minute to out the students 3-0 ahead. Emma O’Sullivan put the game beyond redemption with her open play goal in the 40th minute to leave the students 4-0 up. Alana Doyle’s 47th minute Penalty Stroke proved to be just a consolation goal for the Ulsterwomen it finished 4-1 to UCC.

 

UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY 2 MUCKROSS 3

Leinster Division 1 table toppers Muckross travelled to Dangan to take on University of Galway in the EYHL 2 Pool B. Mian Phelan-Sweeney gave Muckross the lead from a converted penalty corner in the 8th minute. Ailbhe Phelan equalised for University of Galway in the 19th minute. Caroline Mathew’s scored from a converted penalty corner in the 13th minute to restore the lead for Muckross to 2-1. Aisling McGrath from open play but the students back level in the 61st minute at 2-2. Caroline Mathews got her second goal of the match converting another penalty corner to secure the win. Muckross coming away with a 3-2 win.

 

/by

IRL Men hit for seven against clinical Spain in FIH Pro League Game 7

IRL Men hit for seven against clinical Spain in FIH Pro League Game 7

BIRSA MUNDA INTERNATIONAL HOCKEY STADIUM, RORKELA INDIA  

 

SPAIN 7 IRELAND    0 

 

Spain converted their chances clinically, in the first half and capitalized on some ill discipline in the second half  and ended up winning the game 7- 0.

Ireland tried to get off to a more positive start. Despite conceding a long corner to Spain in the first minute, they responded when Ben Walker attacked the Spanish semi-circle a minute later winning the first penalty corner of the match. This produced another penalty corner for Ireland from which Shane O’Donoghue’s effort was saved by Spanish goalkeeper Luiz Calzado. However, despite this good start Ireland fell behind soon after. Spain’s José Bastera scored a minute later from open play. They increased their advantage when Alvaro Iglesias got a second goal in the 13th minute, and it remained 2-0 at the end of the first quarter.

Ireland were awarded a penalty corner at the start of the second quarter. Luiz Calzado saved from Shane O’Donoghue. Menini was green carded for Spain in the 25th minute but Ireland were unable to make the player advantage count. Charlie Rowe was then green carded in the 28th minute meaning Ireland finished the first half shorthanded.

Spain resumed strongly and went 3-0 ahead through Alvaro Iglesias getting his second of the match in the 31st minute. Eduard Ignacio-Simo scored from open play in the 35th minute to make it 4-0. Spain had two back-to-back penalty corners and Borja Cavalle converted the second in the 47th minute to make it 5-0. Alvaro Iglesias completed his hat-trick to make it 6-0 in the 50th minute. Marc Reyne made it 7-0 from open play in the 51st minute. Lee Cole used his cricketing skills to prevent an Eighth goal being scored in the 58th minute. The Ireland team have a little over 24 hours to get over this defeat ahead of their final game of the India phase of the FIH Pro League when they take on the hosts tomorrow in front of a sold-out stadium in Rourkela.

After the match Mark Tumilty Ireland Head Coach said:

“I thought we started the game well and created chances, unfortunately we were unable to capitalise on any of those. Spain were very clinical in 1st half. Our 2nd half performance was very disappointing. Individual errors and ill-discipline were punished in a ruthless manner by Spain. It is a real test of character for the group against India tomorrow.”

SPAIN: Luiz Calzado (GK), Alejandro Gaspar, Xavier Gispert, Marc Recasens, Alvaro Iglesias, José Bastera, Joaquin Menini, Ignacio Rodriguez, Eduard De Ignacio-Simo, Gerard Clapes, Borja Lacalle. SUBS USED: Enrique Gonzalez (3 mins), Marc Reyne (3 mins), Marc Miralles (c) (5 mins), Pepe Cunill )3 mins], Bruno Font (5 mins), Rafael Vilallonga (5 mins)

IRELAND: Jamie Carr (GK), Tim Cross, John McKee (c), Jonathan Lynch, Shane O’Donoghue, Peter McKibbin, Michael Robson(c), Ben Walker, Peter Brown, Lee Cole, Conor Empey SUBS USED: Charlie Rowe (5 mins), Kevin O’Dea (7 mins), Jeremy Duncan (4 mins), Sam Hyland, (5 mins), Ben Johnson (4 mins), Nicholas Page (4 mins)

/by

IRL Men eventually overcome by Australia second half powerhouse performance

AUSTRALIA 4 IRELAND 1

 

Australia took on Ireland in the sixth fixture of the India phase of the FIH Pro League in Rourkela today. The table toppers eventually overcame a game Ireland team with a powerhouse second half performance to win by 4 goals to 1.

Interviewed pre match on the Watch Hockey live stream Ireland head coach Mark Tumilty stated that the primary aim was to get into the final third more often. Ireland did precisely that in the first quarter forcing a long corner in the 3rd minute. After a good team move orchestrated by Daragh Walsh, Sean Murray got the final pass and forced two saves from Australian keeper Andrew Charter in the 4th minute. Australia had their first real shot in anger in the 9th minute when James Milliken saved from Daniel Beale.

Australia forced their first penalty corner of the match in the 11th minute. Blake Govers shot from the corner was saved by Milliken. It was scoreless at the end of the quarter. Australia started the second quarter well forcing their second penalty corner of the match in the 17th minute. Saved at the line by Milliken at the expense of another short corner. Umpire made Australia retake this one as one of the Irish runners had broken too early. Australia hit this one wide off the outside of the upright.

Australia forced their 5th penalty corner of the game in the 21st minute Blake Govers shot towards the roof of the net but James MIlliken managed to keep it out of the net with his raised stick at the expense of a long corner.  Overall, in quarter two Australia dominated possession and Ireland defended well. Ireland had a few circle entries in the 24th minute. In the final minute Australia had a shot across the goal mouth after a free hit and that one went wide.  0-0 at half time.

Australia didn’t score from their 8th penalty corner, but they did however from their 9th. Blake Govers converting in the 33rd minute  1-0 to Australia. Nathan Ephraums converted another penalty corner in the 40th minute to increase their lead to 2-0. But Ireland responded in the 44th minute when Shane O’Donoghue converted their first penalty corner to make the score 2-1. Blake Govers put Australia further ahead in the 52nd minute converting a second penalty corner for his second goal of the game, to make the score 3-1 to Australia . Player of the match Jack Welch got a goal from open  play in the 56th minute to leave the final score Australia 4 Ireland 1.

 

Speaking after the match Ireland Head Coach Mark Tumilty said:

“For a few of the Australia goals we got unfortunate with some of the deflections. We have to defend a bit better outside the circle. We conceded very quickly after scoring and that’ s something we need to work on. We have grown in the tournament and now we need to get something on the board before we go home. I think we deserve something from this tournament and that will be our main focus going into those final games.”

 

AUSTRALIA: Andrew Charter (G), Corey Weyer, Jake Harvie, Tom Wickham, Jacob Anderson, Joshua Beltz, Blake Govers, Jayden Atkinson,  Tim Howard, Flynn Ogilvie, Daniel Beale  SUBS USED: James Collins (3 mins), Jack Welch (3mins), Lachlan Sharp (4 mins) Ky Willott (4 mins),  Nathan Ephraums (5 mins),  Eddie Ockenden (C) (5 mins)

 

IRELAND:  James Milliken (GK), Luke Witherow, Lee Cole, Shane O’Donoghue, Nicholas Page, Peter McKibbin, Sean Murray (C), Daragh Walsh, Jeremy Duncan, Ben Walker, Jonathan Lynch SUBS USED: Peter Brown (5 mins), Conor Empey (5 mins),  Matthew Nelson (5 mins), Kevin O’Dea (5 mins), Charlie Rowe (6 mins), Sam Hyland (8 mins)

/by