Dublin, November 27: Despite entering the final few rounds of fixtures before the winter break, there are no signs of the intensity dipping as the EY Hockey League sides jostle for position.
In the Women’s EY Hockey League, the penultimate round of 2024 on Saturday sees Railway Union and Catholic Institute go head-to head as both continue their pursuit of Loreto. UCC make the long journey north to face Ulster Elks. Ards face second place Old Alex as they try to cause an upset that could lift them out of the relegation zone. Pegasus and Pembroke face off to see who will finish the weekend in the EY Champions Trophy places. And Loreto make the short trip to perennial rivals UCD.
In the Men’s EY Hockey League, the final round before the winter break is kicked off with a game under the floodlights between Annadale and Banbridge on Friday night. Three Rock will attempt to return to winning ways against Pembroke, YMCA host Corinthian as both sides battle it out for fourth spot, Lisnagarvey host Avoca as they attempt to maintain first place, and Monkstown visit UCD in a crucial game for both sides, all on Saturday.
On Sunday, Corinthian and Monkstown play out their re-fixed Round 8 tie with significant strides up the table potentially on the cards.
Men’s EY Hockey League
Friday, November 29, 2024
ANNADALE vs BANBRIDGE
19:30 | Queen’s University
In an Ulster derby, that leans heavily in the favour of the visitors based on form to date, Annadale host Banbridge in an exciting Friday night game under the floodlights of Queen’s University. Banbridge remain the only side in the Men’s EY Hockey League that have yet to lose a game, while Annadale find themselves in the uncomfortable position of being without a win as the teams pass the season’s halfway point. It’s hard to envision any outcome other than a Banbridge win, but it’s possible Annadale’s steady improvements in the last few weeks will come to fruition.
Umpires: Robert Johnston, Aaron Saunders.
Saturday, November 30, 2024
LISNAGARVEY vs AVOCA
14:15 | Comber Road
Since their tense opening encounter in Dublin that ended in a narrow 1-0 win for visitors, Lisnagarvey have pushed to secure the spot at the top of the table. Avoca, meanwhile, have struggled at times to see out games meaning they currently sit seventh with a modest 8 points. The visitors though will be buoyed by their recent 6-0 home win over UCD. Couple that with a ‘free shot’ of sorts in their final game before the break and you may just have a dangerous combination. Lisnagarvey are likely in their finest form of the season after last week’s 3-1 win over Three Rock, so there is no doubt they will be going into this fixture all guns blazing.
Umpires: Oli Brown, Russell Donaldson.
THREE ROCK ROVERS vs PEMBROKE WANDERERS
15:00 | Grange Road | Live on Hockey Ireland TV
Having suffered a major blow to their title hopes last week against Lisnagarvey, second place Three Rock will be desperate to return to winning ways as they face Pembroke Wanderers in Grange Road. A match-up that has produced plenty of fiery games across the many decades these sides have gone head-to-head, expect something very similar again this Saturday.
Umpires: Les Allen, Shane O’Donnell.
YMCA vs CORINTHIAN
15:00 | Wesley College
With almost an identical record, it’s fourth place versus fifth as YMCA host Corinthian. The visitors sit just 3 points behind their opposition and have a game in hand, which they will also play this Sunday, meaning two wins would lift them to fourth place. YMCA, however, have a chance to solidify their spot in the table going into the winter break, and that will likely hinge on their ability to provide Adam Walker and Sam Hyland opportunities from set pieces.
Umpires: Bruce Bale, Alison Keogh.
UCD vs MONKSTOWN
15:00 | Belfield Water
It was two very different tales for these sides last weekend in the penultimate round of 2024 as Monkstown fought relentlessly to seal a home win against Annadale, and UCD were on the receiving end of a 6-0 defeat to Avoca. Neither side can dwell too much on last weekend’s performances given the importance of this fixture, with Monkstown potentially able to catch up to Corinthian if the weekend goes their way, and UCD looking at a chance to keep their survival hopes alive.
Umpires: Simon MacAllister, Neil Mackay.
Sunday, December 1, 2024
CORINTHIAN vs MONKSTOWN
14:15 | St. Columba’s College
After their game was abandoned a fortnight ago, Corinthian and Monkstown will play out their Round 8 fixture on Sunday in what is likely to be the final Men’s EYHL game of 2024. On form alone Corinthian are favourites going into the game, having picked up three wins and a draw from their last five outings. However, how the teams fair on Saturday, and how well they can recover, could well be a major influence on this game’s outcome. It’s just too close to call!
Umpires: TBC
Women’s EY Hockey League
Saturday, November 30, 2024
PEGASUS vs PEMBROKE WANDERERS
12:45 | Queen’s University
Seventh placed Pegasus take on sixth placed Pembroke Wanderers in what could be one of the most closely fought ties of the weekend. Pegasus have continued to make themselves awkward to beat, recording two wins and six draws from their ten games this season. If this game does go to another shoot-out Pembroke will fancy their chances having won two of their three shoot-outs do date, while Pegasus have won just one from six.
Umpires: Julie Fischer, Patrick Wright.
UCD vs LORETO
13:00 | Belfield Water
It has been a rather unusual period for league leaders Loreto who, despite remaining unbeaten, have drawn four of their last five games, which has meant they have had to watch their commanding lead at the top wear away. UCD have steadily improved since their slower than normal start to league proceedings and could well fancy themselves to cause an upset on home soil.
Umpires: Julie Beamish, Eimear Linehan.
ULSTER ELKS vs UCC
13:00 | Ulster University
UCC have a tricky task on their hands this weekend as they make the long journey from Cork to Belfast to take on fifth place Ulster Elks at Jordanstown. Elks will be flying high after their tremendous comeback against Loreto which saw them come away with a draw and the bonus point from the shoot-out. UCC are still searching for their first win in the EY Hockey League but have proved themselves to be a formidable opponent, running top sides Old Alex and Railway Union close in recent weeks.
Umpires: Zoe Hall, Amy Jones.
RAILWAY UNION vs CATHOLIC INSTITUTE
13:30 | Park Avenue
Now on a four-game unbeaten run, Railway Union have truly found their rhythm again, retaking their place in the title challenge conversation. They face fellow challengers Catholic Institute who are enjoying a similar run of success but have had to endure a week without any competitive action due to Storm Bert so will be hoping they can pick up where they left off a fortnight ago. This matchup could have a massive influence on who runs Loreto the closest, and who will gain the automatic place in the EY Champions Trophy Semi-Finals so keep an eye on this one!
Umpires: Liz Clifford, Fiona Davitt.
ARDS vs OLD ALEXANDRA
14:30 | Londonderry Park
Old Alex will hope to maintain second place this weekend as they face Ards in Londonderry Park. They have had a tricky run of things over the last number of weeks, having had to fight back from two goals down to draw with UCD, suffering a loss to Catholic Institute, and weather a late storm from UCC to eventually see out a win in The Mardyke. With Ards up next, they could well be looking at another tricky fixture, with the hosts holding teams to 1-1 draws in both of their last two games.
Umpires: Sarah Craig, Robert Johnston.