Wednesday, March 5: With the international duties now concluded, the EY Hockey League returns with a full bill of fixtures this weekend.
In the Women’s EYHL, Loreto have a chance to put one hand on the trophy as they visit Pembroke Wanderers. Catholic Institute look to maintain their unbeaten home record against Old Alex. UCD welcome Pegasus to Belfield with an opportunity to complete their season turnaround. And Ulster Elks travel to Ards for an all-Ulster encounter, with the visitors looking to continue their fine run of form.
In the Men’s EYHL, Three Rock Rovers host Banbridge in one of three upcoming title deciding fixtures. Lisnagarvey face Monkstown in Comber Road, with Garvey needing a win to keep pressure on the teams above. YMCA visit Avoca, with the hosts keen to seek their vengeance for their two narrow losses against the Dundrum club this year. Annadale will look to build on their bonus point draw last week when they face Corinthian at home. And Pembroke Wanderers have an opportunity to continue their pursuit of a play-off place as they face UCD away from home.
In the Men’s and Women’s EYHL2, the sides surpass the halfway point as they repeat their Round 1 fixtures.
In the Women’s Competition, Muckross host Portadown and Monkstown visit Cork Harlequins in two crucial battles in Pool A. In Pool B, Lurgan will hope to knock Queen’s University off their perch, while Corinthian will hope to grab a third win to help solidify their spot within the play-off places.
In the Men’s Competition, two provincial rivalries headline Pool A with Bandon facing Cork Harlequins and Kilkenny hosting Railway Union. In Pool B, Portrane return from their weekend without a game to face nearby rivals Clontarf, and Kilkeel and Instonians play out a potentially crucial game in the hunt for a play-off berth.
On Sunday, University of Galway host Corinthian in a re-fix of their postponed Round 1 tie.
Saturday, March 8th
EY Hockey League Division 1 – Women
Catholic Institute vs Old Alex
12:45 | Rosbrien
The first women’s game of the day sees 5th place Catholic Institute welcome 4th place Old Alex to Rosbrien. Inst have enjoyed a perfect home record so far which they will be keen to continue this weekend, and with Naomi Carroll back among the goals during Ireland’s FIH Nations Cup campaign, they will likely look to her to help them do that. For Old Alex, a win would help change their fortunes in the league. The team are without a win in six league games but have continued to add points to their tally. While a draw would only serve to extend their winless run, to leave Rosbrien with points would be a result for any side.
Umpires: Malcolm Coombes, Ellie Duffy.
UCC vs Railway Union
13:00 | The Mardyke
With just six games remaining for UCC, time is ticking if a late survival surge is to be made by the Munster college side. They have a tough task on their hands as they welcome in-form Railway Union to the Mardyke. The visitors have had plenty to celebrate in recent weeks, with a stellar European indoor campaign under their belt, and an AIG Irish Senior Cup Semi-Final secured, they’ll have no intentions letting their streak end on Saturday.
Umpires: Ben Geoghegan, Peter Motyer.
Ards vs Ulster Elks
14:30 | Londonderry Park
Third place Ulster Elks visit ninth place Ards in another provincial an Ulster Derby. The hosts now sit in the uncomfortable position of being among the relegation spots, three points from safety. Elks on the other hand are enjoying a landmark season in the EYHL, sitting in third spot, just three points behind Railway Union with a place in the Champions Trophy play-off almost guaranteed. Despite the comfortable position, Elks can’t rest on their laurels. With four very winnable games ahead, the Ulster club could even manage a top two finish which would guarantee them passage straight to the Semi-Finals.
Umpires: Linda Coughlan, Amy Jones
Pembroke Wanderers vs Loreto
14:30 | Serpentine Avenue
In need of points, Pembroke have a tough task ahead on Saturday when they welcome unbeaten Loreto to Serpentine Avenue. The hosts sit eighth in the table, just 3 points clear of Ards in the relegation zone, and with only five games still to play it’s imperative that Pembroke find ways to add to their tally. Loreto meanwhile are comfortably top, with 5 points separating them and Railway as well as a game in hand. The visitors look on course to secure their third league title on the bounce but can’t afford to take their foot off the gas if they are to secure their first EY Champions Trophy since 2018. Momentum could be vital.
Umpires: Oli Brown, Mike Campbell
Pegasus vs UCD
14:30 | Queen’s University
Having been dumped out of the AIG Irish Senior Cup by UCD just a fortnight ago, Pegasus will have an opportunity on home soil, in a game that holds just as much importance in the EYHL. As it stands Pegasus sit one place and one point above UCD in the table, currently occupying the last EY Champions Trophy Play-Off place. Having spent an extended period among the relegation places, breaking into the top six would likely be another significant lift for a squad that continues to improve.
Umpires: Sarah Craig, Julie Fisher
EY Hockey League Division 1 – Men
UCD vs Pembroke Wanderers
13:00 | Belfield Water
Bottom of the table UCD Take on 7th place Pembroke Wanderers in a game the students simply must win if they have any chance of avoiding relegation. The students will take good confidence from seeing Annadale grab a bonus point draw last week against Pembroke, a result they will be keen to emulate or even better in their encounter on Saturday. For Pembroke the game offers them a crucial opportunity to continue their pursuit of a play-off place, with the side sitting just three points behind 6th place Corinthian, albeit having played an additional game.
Umpires: Bruce Bale, Aaron Saunders
Lisnagarvey vs Monkstown
14:30 | Comber Road
Third placed Lisnagarvey host Monkstown at Comber Road in one of the ties of the round. Garvey cannot afford any slip ups given how tight things currently stand at the top of the table, and Monkstown could well be a potential banana skin for any of the top sides in the run-in, with the Dublin club bolstered by the return of Jeremy Duncan, who was among the goals during Ireland’s recent India stage in the FIH Pro League. Garvey, however, will also benefit from the return of key personnel, with fellow Ireland forward Matthew Nelson also back on the pitch and looking just as sharp as ever.
Umpires: Zoe Hall, Alison Keogh
Annadale vs Corinthian
14:30 | CIYMS Sports Ground
Just a fortnight on from their AIG Irish Senior Cup Quarter Final encounter, Annadale on Corinthian meet again with the hosts keen to reverse the result and pick up soem crucial points in their hunt for survival. Having added two points to their tally last week, Annadale have closed the gap between them and possible safety to just three points so the opportunity to build on last weeks performance on the road to Pembroke is one they won’t take lightly. For Corinthian, cementing their place among the EY Champions Trophy Play-Off spots is priority number one as Pembroke bite at their heels. Despite needing a shoot-out to progress past Annadale a fortnight ago, Corinthian will hope the return of International debutant Greg WIlliams from Ireland duty will provide the lift to see them past Annadale on Saturday.
Umpires: Robert Johnston, Patrick Wright.
Avoca vs YMCA
14:30 | Newpark School
Having lost to YMCA by a goal on two occasions this season, Avoca will be desperate to right that wrong on Saturday as they face them on home soil. The hosts find themselves teetering just above the relegation zone, three points and a considerable goal difference ahead of Annadale in ninth, so any opportunity to gain valuable points is crucial. YM won’t be an easy target though, the visitors have enjoyed a decent spell of late, most recently coming from behind to beat Pembroke and progress to the AIG Irish Senior Cup Final.
Umpires: Rob Argent, TBC
Three Rock Rovers vs Banbridge
16:00 | Grange Road
If there’s one game this weekend to get to, it’s this one as Three Rock host Banbridge in one of a handful of title-deciding games in the closing stages. In their last encounter in the league, Three Rock returned from their visit to Havelock Park with a bonus point draw and also have bragging rights in the cup having beaten Banbridge in the KO16 three weeks ago. Banbridge will be out for blood this time around, and with both teams at full compliments, this matchup will be a fascinating game with plenty of goals to enjoy.
Umpires: Russell Donaldson, Shane O’Donnell
EY Hockey League Division 2 – Women
Pool A
Muckross vs Portadown
13:30 | Muckross School
Umpires: Paul Bonar, Allister Campbell
Cork Harlequins vs Monkstown
14:45 | Harlequin Park
Umpires: Liz Clifford, Tanja Schafer
Pool B
Lurgan vs Queen’s University
13:00 | Lurgan
Umpires: Les Allen, Lyn Morrow
Corinthian vs University of Galway
13:15 | St Columba’s College
Umpires: Abigail Bolger, Gill Hohn
Hockey League Division 2 – Men
Pool A
Bandon vs Cork Harlequins
12:00 | Bandon Grammar
Umpires: Jim Butler, Neil Sanders
Kilkenny vs Railway Union
14:00 | Loreto Kilkenny
Umpires: Simon McAllister, Neil Mackay
Pool B
Clontarf vs Portrane
13:00 | Mount Temple
Umpires: Graham Hohn, Simon O’Connor
Kilkeel vs Instonians
14:30 | Kilkeel
Umpires: Aaron Donnell, Neal Hermon
Irish Hockey Challenge 1 – Women
Semi-Finals
Galway Hockey Club vs Instonians
TBC | Dangan
Waterford vs Dungannon
14:00 | Newtown School
Irish Hockey Challenge 2 – Women
Semi-Finals
Raphoe vs Larne
12:45 | Royal and Prior School
C.I. Ladies vs Bangor
12:45 | CIYMS Sports Grounds
Irish Hockey Challenge – Men
Semi-Finals
Catholic Institute vs Raphoe
14:45 | Rosbrien
Sunday, March 9th
EY Hockey League Division 2 – Women
Pool B
University of Galway vs Corinthian
TBC | Dangan
Umpires: Tanja Schafer, TBC