Wednesday, January 29: This Saturday, February 1, the EY Hockey League will return following the winter break, with 18 of the twenty teams active across the weekend.
In the Men’s EY Hockey League, current leaders Lisnagarvey will travel to Pembroke Wanderers as they look to pick up where they left off in November. Challengers Banbridge and Three Rock face UCD and Corinthian respectively, while YMCA welcome Annadale to Wesley College. On Sunday, Banbridge will host Annadale in their first round refix, should Banbridge win both of their games they could go level on points with Lisnagarvey at the top of the table.
In the Women’s EY Hockey League, Loreto will hope to continue their unbeaten season as they travel to Ards. Railway Union will look to keep pace as they face Ulster Elks, who sit just below them in the standings. Pegasus host Old Alex in a crucial game for both sides as they vie to solidify a place in the EY Champions Trophy Play-Offs. Catholic Institute host Pembroke Wanderers, with the Limerick side aspiring to avenge their November loss to the Dublin club. And a crucial collegiate battle in The Mardyke sees UCC face UCD as both sides continue their fights to remain in the topflight next season.
In the Men’s EYHL Division 2, Cookstown will play their first game of the campaign when they face Railway Union, and Bandon and Kilkenny will both aim to record their first wins when they meet in Loreto Kilkenny, both in Pool A. In Pool B, Clontarf will hope to recover from their defeat to Portrane last week when they face Kilkeel, and Cork Harlequins and Portrane face off in a crucial early battle in the pool.
In the Women’s EYHL Division 2, Pool A sees both Muckross and Greenfields play their first ties of the competition as both hope to get off to a winning start, and Portadown make the long trip to Munster to face fellow play-off hopefuls Cork Harlequins. In Pool B, Ashton make their EYHL debut against University of Galway. And Corinthian begin their promotion bid with a visit to Queen’s University.
EY Hockey League – Men
Saturday, February 1
Pembroke Wanderers vs Lisnagarvey
14:30 | Serpentine Avenue
Lisnagarvey will look to pick up from where they left off before the break when they travel to face Pembroke. Garvey have already been exceptional in attack, scoring the most goals of any side, and are now expecting the return of Matthew Nelson, adding an additional threat alongside Ben Nelson and Andrew Williamson. Pembroke have a big test on their hands as they look to put distance between them and the relegation zone, and potentially push for a play-off place.
Umpires: Bruce Bale, Robert Johnston
Banbridge vs UCD
14:45 | Havelock Park
Current title holders Banbridge will face bottom side UCD in Havelock Park. These sides first met in Round 2, with Banbridge picking up a statement 7-0 victory. UCD have improved considerably since then so it is likely to be a closer game this time around, but Banbridge will still be heavily favoured by neutrals to secure the points.
Umpires: Neil Mackay, TBC
YMCA vs Annadale
14:45 | Wesley College
Annadale’s fight for survival will resume with an immediate test this Saturday as they face third place YMCA away from home. YM have again looked strong, with Adam Walker’s set-piece performance a major asset for the team. Annadale, however, are bolstered by the return of Owen Mcelhinney who will offer additional goalscoring ability alongside Spencer Pinion.
Umpires: Rob Argent, Aaron Saunders
Corinthian vs Three Rock Rovers
15:15 | St Columba’s College
A win is critical for Three Rock Rovers on Saturday as they aim to keep pace with Lisnagarvey at the top of the table. Corinthian will be keen to cause an upset having enjoyed a strong season so far, with the prospect of a TRR scalp motivation enough before the play-off conversation is even had. TRR enjoyed a comfortable victory in their earlier meeting in the league, but we suspect this encounter will be an awful lot closer.
Umpires: Oli Browne, Shane O’Donnell
Sunday, February 2
Banbridge vs Annadale
14:30 | Havelock Park
An exciting double-header to kick start 2025, as Banbridge and Annadale play out their Round 1 refix on Sunday. If results go their way, Banbridge could jump from third to top of the table if they manage two wins and rack up a considerable goal difference. They sit behind table toppers Lisnagarvey by just three points with a goal difference of +28 to Garvey’s +35.
Umpires: Kris Cholewa, Robert Johnston
EY Hockey League – Women
Pegasus vs Old Alex
12:45 | Queen’s University
A crucial battle between two sides in play-off contention, Old Alex currently hold the advantage sitting two places above Pegasus in the table with a four-point cushion. Pegasus will fancy themselves on home soil though, having recorded just one loss in their home games so far. This game will be a close one!
Umpires: Zoe Hall, Alison Keogh
Catholic Institute vs Pembroke Wanderers
12:45 | Rosbrien
With ambitions of a late title charge to keep pressure on Loreto and Railway Union, getting off to a winning start against Pembroke will be a must for Catholic Institute. However, this will not be a straightforward encounter. Last time these sides met it was Pembroke that came away with the win in Serpentine Avenue. Could Pembroke do the double over Catholic Institute, and inflict them with their first home loss of the season? Only time will tell.
Umpires: Kris Cholewa, Ben Geoghegan
UCC vs UCD
14:00 | The Mardyke | Live on Hockey Ireland TV
A collegiate clash in The Mardyke headlines the weekend as UCC and UCD play out a potentially decisive survival showdown. Both sides currently sit in the relegation zone with a win for either considerably increasing their chances at staying in the division for another season. This will be a match not to be missed, particularly when the stakes are this high.
Umpires: Liz Clifford, Malcolm Coombes
Ards vs Loreto
14:30 | Londonderry Park
Having ended 2024 without a single loss in the EY Hockey League, Loreto will want to continue that record into this calendar year when they return to action against Ards. Despite their current 8th place standing Ards are not to be underestimated. The Ulster side closed out 2024 with three positive results, securing draws with Ulster Elks and Pegasus before ending on a 2-0 home win over Old Alex. Loreto’s 4-1 win at home over Ards will make them favourites, but Ards certainly will not make things easy for the Leinster club.
Umpires: Aaron Donnell, Julie Fisher
Ulster Elks vs Railway Union
14:30 | Ulster University
A second-third clash bookends the EYHL Women’s action on Saturday as Ulster Elks host Railway Union as they attempt to put an unceremonious end to Railway’s 6-game unbeaten run in the league. A win for Elks would see them leapfrog Railway into second and further stake their claim as one of the division’s top sides this year. For Railway the stakes are simple, win and keep your title hopes alive, lose and see them shrink significantly.
Umpires: Russell Donaldson, Eimear Linehan
EY Hockey League Division 2 – Men
Pool A
Kilkenny vs Bandon
14:00 | Loreto Kilkenny
Kilkenny made a very positive start to their first EYHL2 campaign, picking up a draw against Leinster rivals Railway Union away from home. Bandon, unfortunately came out the wrong end of a 4-2 final score against Cork C of I, leaving them bottom of the table after Round 1. A first win in the competition is up for grabs for either side. Home advantage could play a role here for Kilkenny but expect Bandon to arrive ready for the task at hand.
Umpires: Cameron Slade, TBC
Cookstown vs Railway Union
14:30 | Cookstown High School
A first EYHL2 match this season for Cookstown as they begin their mission to secure promotion back to the topflight. The hosts don’t have an easy first outing, with Leinster Champions Railway Union first on their fixtures list. This game could act as an early indicator of who may top arguably the most competitive group of the competition.
Umpires: Les Allen, Neal Hermon
Pool B
Clontarf vs Kilkeel
13:00 | Mt Temple
An opportunity for redemption for Clontarf after their opening round defeat to Portrane, the home side will want to bounce back quickly as they pursue a play-off place. Kilkeel will have a point to prove in their opening game. Having not been involved in the EYHL2 last season, they are determined to leave their mark this time around.
Umpires: Sarah Craig, Fiona Davitt
Cork Harlequins vs Portrane
14:45 | Harlequin Park
A blockbuster clash between two of Pool B’s favourites; Portrane come into the game after a dominant 4-0 win in Round 1 over Clontarf, a clear statement of intent. Harlequins, meanwhile, have been continuing their form in Munster, beating Catholic Institute convincingly with Julian Dale netting 5 times, and brother Sam grabbing a hattrick, meaning the Munster side will be full of confidence going into this Saturday’s match.
Umpires: Jim Butler, Neil Sanders
EY Hockey League Division 2 – Women
Pool A
Cork Harlequins vs Portadown
12:45 | Harlequin Park
Both sides started well in Round 1, with Portadown scoring late to grab a draw against Muckross, and Quins narrowly losing 2-1 on the road against Monkstown. With little to separate the sides, Harlequins experience in the competition along with their home advantage could hold them in good stead in this tie, but Portadown will certainly not want the long journey to be in vain!
Umpires: Gill Hohn, Grahm Hohn
Muckross vs Greenfields
13:30 | Muckross
Two experienced EYHL2 sides meet in Dublin, as Muckross aim to build on their draw against Portadown, while Greenfields aspire to start their season with a win. Last week, Muckross showed their ability to score from set pieces, overturning a one goal deficit with a penalty corner and stroke, something Greenfields might want to be wary of as they approach this game.
Umpires: Abigail Bolger, Peter Urwin
Pool B
Corinthian vs Queen’s University
13:15 | St Columba’s College
Both sides had to wait a week longer than previously anticipated to get underway with their round 1 games postponed due to Storm Eowyn.
Both Corinthian and QUB sit top of their respective divisions, with Corinthian crowned champions, and QUB unbeaten after 12 games, with 6 still to go. This game could be one of the best of the weekend so worth keeping an eye on.
Umpires: Luka Novakovic, TBC
Ashton vs University of Galway
14:30 | Ashton
Ashton will welcome University of Galway to Cork as the home side make their debut in the EYHL2. For both sides, Saturday poses a massive opportunity; a first EYHL2 win for either club. Despite being a seasoned side in the competition Galway are yet to record a win, but their form provincially this season may indicate that this is the year they make their mark.
Umpires: Stuart Egner, Deirdre Magner
