Dublin, December 4: The final round in 2024 of the Women’s EY Hockey League beckons, offering sides a last opportunity to jostle for position before the winter break. Given how tight things currently stand at both ends of the table, all ten clubs will enter their respective games with complete focus and determination to perform.
Amongst the fixtures is a second versus joint third battle as resurgent Railway visit Old Alex with both sides looking to stake their claim as title challengers. Catholic Institute host UCD, with victory for both being paramount as Institue try to keep the pressure on Loreto, and UCD try to escape the drop. Pegasus and Ulster Elks face off in an Ulster Derby as both sides aim to maintain their place in the EY Champions Trophy play-off spots. Pembroke host Ards with a win for either side extending the gap between them and the dreaded relegation zone. And Loreto travel to The Mardyke to face bottom side UCC as the visitors try to end 2024 unbeaten in the EYHL.
Women’s EY Hockey League
PEGASUS vs ULSTER ELKS
12:45 | Queen’s University
Pegasus and Ulster Elks see out 2024 with a massive Ulster derby. The last time these sides faced, they shared the points in a 3-3 draw, with Elks taking the bonus point. Interestingly, Elks have been the side to score the most goals against Pegasus in a single game, with Pegasus conceding two or less in all of their other games this season. Another draw may well be the most likely outcome, and Elks will fancy themselves for the bonus point given their 100% record in shoot-outs so far.
Umpires: Russell Donaldson, Zoe Hall
CATHOLIC INSTITUTE vs UCD
12:45 | Rosbrien
Arguably Ireland’s toughest away day, Catholic Institute have yet again made Rosbrien a fortress, securing ten out of twelve possible points from their games at home this season. The home side welcome a UCD team who remain in the relegation zone but are a much-improved unit in recent weeks, securing seven of their eleven points so far in their last five games. Most recently, UCD ran Loreto very close, with the current league leaders having to dig deep to deny UCD an equaliser. Catholic Institute also enter the game off the back of a 1-0 loss to Railway Union, a game that UCD head coach Ross Willis will no doubt study closely as he searches for a game plan to keep Institute’s dangerous attacking unit at bay.
Umpires: Jim Butler, Kris Cholewa.
UCC vs LORETO
13:00 | The Mardyke
Loreto will make the journey south to Cork as they venture to close out 2024 unbeaten. Their hosts and opposition for the day UCC currently sit at the opposite end of the table to Loreto and face another major challenge this weekend in their bid for topflight survival. UCC will be hoping they can re-find their October form and catch Loreto at a time when injuries could leave them vulnerable to an upset.
Umpires: Julie Beamish, Liz Clifford.
OLD ALEX vs RAILWAY UNION
13:30 | Alexandra College | Live on HITV
What a way to close out 2024 for these two sides. Both Old Alex and Railway Union have continued to pursue Loreto in the title race, with Railway pulling ahead after winning a fifth game on the bounce last week. Old Alex on the other hand have had to endure a bit of a tricky period, securing just 2 points from their last three games. There is no better time than the present to turn things around. Keep an eye on this game for sure, it’s going to be a cracker!
Umpires: Oli Brown, Amy Jones.
PEMBROKE WANDERERS vs ARDS
16:15 | Serpentine Avenue
Pembroke and Ards will have the honours of closing out 2024 as seventh takes on eighth in Serpentine Avenue. The two sides have an almost identical record, separated by just two points and a single goal conceded, which puts Pembroke in the slightly better position in the standings. A win for either side in this tie will at a minimum put significant daylight between them and the relegation spots but could even put them into the EY Champions Trophy Play-Off places, if other results go their way.
Umpires: Julie Fisher, Neal Hermon.