Thursday, September 11: The EY Hockey League returns for the 2025/26 season this Saturday ahead of a season that is poised to be one of the most competitive yet.
In the Women’s EYHL Division 1, Ulster Elks host league first-timers Portadown as the home side look to build on an impressive third place finish in 2024/25. Reigning League Champions Loreto make the trip to Rosbrien in Catholic Institute’s first game on their new state-of the-art hockey pitch under new coach Noah Erdeljac. UCD face fellow university and newly promoted side Queen’s University in Belfield. EY Champions Trophy winners Railway Union will begin life without Sarah Hawkshaw and Roisin Upton with a home tie against an Old Alex side that are once again targeting a finish amongst the top four. Pegasus and Pembroke close out the women’s action in The Dub as both sides hope to make a positive start to their campaigns.
In the Men’s EYHL Division 1, Cork C of I make their topflight return as they host a YMCA side that have their sights set on another top four finish. Corinthian and Pembroke Wanderers will go toe-to-toe in an early test to see who might rise higher. Avoca host league champions Lisnagarvey in a repeat of last season’s tense league opener that finished 1-0 in favour of the visitors. Cookstown play their first EYHL game since gaining promotion as they host Monkstown in Peter Caruth’s first game at the helm for the Sky Blues. Banbridge and Three Rock Rovers close out the weekend as TRR travel to Havelock Park in hopes of Round 1 vengeance for last season’s EY Champions Trophy Semi-Final defeat to the eventual winners.
EY Hockey League – Round 1 – Fixtures
EY Hockey League – Women
Ulster Elks vs Portadown @ 12:45 – Ulster University Jordanstown
Umpires: Julie Fisher, Victoria Johnston
Catholic Institute vs Loreto @12:45 – Rosbrien
Umpires: Gillian Garrett, Cameron Slade
UCD vs Queen’s University @13:00 – UCD Belfield
Umpires: Alison Keogh, Peter Urwin
Railway Union vs Old Alex @13:40 – Park Avenue
Umpires: Linda Coughlan, Ellie Duffy
Pegasus vs Pembroke Wanderers @14:30 – The Dub
Umpires: Sarah Craig, Neal Hermon
EY Hockey League – Men
Cork C of I vs YMCA @13:00 – Garryduff
Umpires: Kris Cholewa Ian Strange
Corinthian vs Pembroke Wanderers @13:15 – St Columba’s
Umpires: Simon MacAllister, Aaron Saunders
Avoca vs Lisnagarvey @14:30 – Newpark School
Umpires: Bruce Bale, Malcolm Coombes
Cookstown vs Monkstown @14:30 – Cookstown High School
Umpires: Aaron Donnell, Robert Johnston
Banbridge vs Three Rock Rovers @16:00 – Havelock Park
Umpires: Russell Donaldson, Shane O’Donnell
