Saturday, November 15: The EY Hockey League reached its halfway point, as reigning champions Lisnagarvey regained their place at the summit of the men’s table, while Railway Union made no mistake to extend their unbeaten run to nine games and maintain their place firmly at the front of the pack.
In the Women’s EYHL, Railway Union made no mistake on their trip to face Pegasus, Aisling Utri’s hattrick securing the league leaders another three points. Ards kept the gap between them and top spot to six points as they soared to a 5-2 win over visiting UCD. Pembroke returned to winning ways to remain in third, beating ninth place Monkstown 2-0, while Loreto matched their fellow title contenders with a confident win over Portadown at home. And a single goal separated Queen’s University and Old Alex, as home side Queen’s held out to secure a fourth league win and remain in the top half.
In the Men’s EYHL, Lisnagarvey regained their place at the top of the table as captain Mark McNellis scored a hattrick of penalty corners to guide his side to a 3-2 win over Pembroke Wanderers. Three Rock Rovers made no mistake on their trip to neighbours Corinthian, leaving with a commanding 4-1 lead to climb to second. Avoca came away with a bonus point draw from their trip to Havelock Park, coming from a goal behind on two occasions to make it nine games unbeaten and close out the weekend as the only side yet to record a loss in the men’s competition. In Cork, home side Cork Harlequins came from two goals down to secure a draw and a bonus point from the shootout against YMCA. And Monkstown secured a crucial win over Portrane to exit the relegation zone.
Women’s EY Hockey League Results
Queen’s University 1 – 0 Old Alex
Ards 5 – 2 UCD
Loreto 4 – 1 Portadown
Pegasus 0 – 3 Railway Union
Monkstown 0 – 2 Pembroke Wanderers
Women’s EY Hockey League Standings
Railway Union – 24pts
Ards – 18pts
Pembroke Wanderers – 17pts
Loreto – 16pts
Queen’s University Belfast – 15pts
Portadown – 12pts
Old Alex – 11pts
UCD – 10pts
Monkstown – 8pts
Pegasus – 4pts
Men’s EY Hockey League Results
Monkstown 4 – 1 Portrane
Corinthian 1 – 4 Three Rock Rovers
Cork Harlequins 3 [3 – 2] 3 YMCA
Lisnagarvey 3 – 2 Pembroke Wanderers
Banbridge 2 [4 – 5] 2 Avoca
Men’s EY Hockey League Standings
Lisnagarvey – 20pts
Three Rock Rovers – 19pts
Avoca – 19pts
Pembroke Wanderers – 18pts
Banbridge – 16pts
YMCA – 11pts
Corinthian – 10pts
Monkstown – 8pts
Portrane – 6pts
Cork Harlequins – 5pts