Wednesday, April 16: Dublin side Railway Union suffered defeat to SCHC in their Euro Hockey League Final 12 matchup today in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands. Railway faced a massive challenge in their first ever EHL appearance being drawn against a star-studded SCHC side that sit second in the Tulp Hoofdklasse, Netherlands top hockey league.
A bright start from Railway Union pinned SCHC back, with Railway winning a series of penalty corners that forced goalkeeper Elodie Picard into a some good saves to keep the game scoreless. SCHC eventually broke the deadlock when Dutch International Yibbi Jansen was the first to react to an excellent save from Emma Buckley, firing home on her backhand to open the scoring. SCHC doubled-their lead before half time, Maud van Heuvel getting the second.
Railway Union continued to defend resolutely in the second half, but SCHC managed to find the net a third and fourth time to put the game out of reach, with Pien Dicke and Yibbi Jansen converting penalty corners in Quarter 3.
Despite the result, Railway Union put in an exceptionally impressive performance against a professional side. Railway will now face Ukraine’s MSC Sumchanka in their first of two ranking matches, on Friday, April 18.
Elsewhere in the Women’s EHL, Irish twins and former Railway Union players Niamh and Michelle Carey enjoyed shoot-out success with Belgian side Braxgata HC to progress to the EHL Final 8. Niamh and Michelle Carey join fellow Ireland International Hannah McLoughlin in the EHL Final 8, with the Carey’s set to face Spanish side Club de Campo, while Hannah McLoughlin will line out for Belgian club Gantoise against German side Mannheimer HC.
In the Men’s EHL, Ireland International Goalkeeper David Harte will feature for Dutch-side Kampong in tomorrow’s Final 8 tie against Surbiton. Harte will hope his side can better their 2023/24 EHL Silver Medal this season in what will be his final EHL campaign with the Dutch club having announced he will return home to Ireland a few weeks ago. Ireland Men’s Captain Sean Murray and Goalkeeper Jaime Carr will also line out in the Final 8 tomorrow, with the duo currently playing for Gantoise. They are set to face fellow Belgian side Royal Leopold Club.