Dublin, October 23: Now entering Round 6 of the Women’s EY Hockey League, and Round 5 of the Men’s, the competition is well and truly underway. In the Women’s EYHL Loreto have emerged as League leaders with Catholic Institute and Old Alex in the pursuing pack, while Three Rock Rover, Lisnagarvey, Banbridge and YMCA sitting atop the Men’s table.
Women’s EY Hockey League Fixtures
CATHOLIC INSTITUTE vs LORETO
12:45 | Rosbrien | Live on Hockey Ireland TV
Limerick hosts the ‘Game of the Day’ as Catholic Institute who finished 3rd last season and are currently in second place in the table take on last season’s champions and current League leaders Loreto who have hold a 100 percent record so far. For the hosts this is a must win game with a chance to close the gap significantly between them and Loreto on the line.
Umpires: Jim Butler, Ellie Duffy
UCC V PEMBROKE WANDERERS
13:00 | The Mardyke
UCC had a highly successful double weekend collecting bonus points in both of their games in Ulster away to Pegasus and Ards and currently are three points clear of the bottom of the table. They are playing a visiting Pembroke side who are only 1 point and 1 League position above them. A real battle for momentum for both sides, with UCC keen to prove last weekend’s results were just the beginning for them, while Pembroke are afforded the chance to continue bedding in their much-changed side.
Umpires: Julie Beamish, Colm Kavanagh
RAILWAY UNION vs PEGASUS
13.30 | Park Avenue
Last season’s runner-up and Irish Senior Cup Winners Railway Union have had to endure a challenging start to this year’s campaign. To their credit they have had to face off against the current Top 3 sides but given their league position last year they won’t be satisfied with their tally to date. Pegasus themselves are two places higher in 5th place and are having a solid start to their campaign, with a win over Catholic Institute among the highlights.
Umpires: Julie Fischer, Liz Clifford
ULSTER ELKS vs OLD ALEXANDRA
14:30 | Ulster University
Ulster Elks currently in 4th place have had a 50 percent success rate with 2 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses from their 5 outings to date and are up against Old Alexandra who are in 3rd place having lost only one of their opening 5 games. Alex are in great form so far this season and have a great blend of youth and experience, much like their opponents, Elks.
Umpires: Sarah Craig, Robert Johnston
UCD vs ARDS
15:00 | Belfield Water
Bottom of the table UCD are yet to find their feat in the EYHL this year, struggling to convert their chances and shore up their defense. They face an Ards side that are led by top goalscorer Zara Malseed and have the experienced former Ireland international Lizzie Holden marshaling the midfield. The students will need to be firing on all cylinders if they are to add to their solitary league point from their five outings so far.
Umpires: Linda Coughlan, Amy Jones
Men’s EY Hockey League Fixtures
AVOCA vs CORINTHIANS
12:30 | Newpark School
Avoca, currently in 7th place, take on Corinthians in 6th in the early game this coming Saturday. Both of these teams have had some encouraging performances this season even if the results might not have always gone to plan. They appear well matched on paper which will make for an enjoyable spectacle for fans in attendance.
Umpires: Malcolm Coombes, Shane O’Donnell
UCD vs LISNAGARVEY
13:00 | Belfield Water
Despite still being without a point this season, UCD broke their scoring duck last week in their tie against joint league leaders Three Rock Rovers.
However, this week’s test is no easier as the students face in-form Lisnagarvey who sit joint top. The visitors will fact themselves going into this game given their excellent record if front of goal to date. But UCD might have some newfound confidence following a strong second half last week, so a good start could put the cat amongst the pigeons.
Umpires: Oli Brown, Neal Hermon.
THREE ROCK ROVERS vs MONKSTOWN
13:00 | Grange Road
Three Rock are only second placed in this division on goal difference having matched Lisnagarvey’s points return of a maximum 12 from 4 outings. They take on a Monkstown side who have 2 wins and 2 losses from their four outings to date. This is will arguably be Three Rock’s biggest test to date and could act as a early determinant on whether a title challenge is on the cards.
Umpires: Rob Argent, Aaron Saunders
YMCA vs BANBRIDGE
15:00 | Wesley College
Third place YMCA take on a fourth placed Banbridge, who have a match in hand, in Wesley College. The pivotal question will be whether the YMCA defence superbly marshalled by goalkeeper Mark Ingram can keep the excellent Banbridge attack at bay for long enough to secure something from this game. Grant Glutz, Ross Henderson and Harry McCarthy pose a real goal threat for YM as do Johnny McKee, and in-form Philip Brown for Banbridge. A contender for Men’s game of the round!
Umpires: Ross Jones, Neil Mackay
ANNANDALE vs PEMBROKE WANDERERS
16:00 | CIYMS Sports Ground
If 9th place Annadale’s strikers David Tremlett and Spencer Pinion both hit form, and their 8th place opponents Pembroke Wanderers strikers Tevin Kok and Alan Sothern do likewise a high scoring game might be the treat for the spectators at CIYMS this Saturday. However, high score lines will be the opposite of what both sides are likely looking for as they look to shore up defensively ahead of competitive fixtures in the coming weeks.
Umpires: Bruce Bale, Alison Keogh