Wednesday, April 30: This Saturday and Sunday, May 3 & 4, eight of the top club hockey sides from across Ireland will descend on Havelock Park, Banbridge, as they battle it out in the EY Champions Trophy Finals.
In the Women’s EY Champions Trophy, back-to-back EY Hockey League Champions Loreto face off against fellow Leinster side Old Alex in the first Semi-Final at 10:30am. Loreto will hope they can better their silver medal last time out, but will have to overcome an Old Alex side that are on the hunt for their first EY Champions Trophy Finals appearance, and will be high on confidence following their 2-2 draw with Loreto in Round 18 of the EYHL, and their 6-0 performance against Catholic Institute in the EY Champions Trophy Quarter Finals.
Immediately after, Railway Union face Ulster Elks in the second Women’s Semi-Final of the day at 12:30pm. Defending Champions Railway Union will hope to become the first women’s side to win back-to-back EY Champions Trophies, writing their names into the history books for a second time this season following their EHL win over Sumchanka which made them the first Irish Women’s side to record a win in the competition. They meet Ulster Elks who are enjoying a statement season as they solidify themselves as a top side, securing a third-place finish in the league in just their second season.
In the Men’s EY Champions Trophy, League champions Lisnagarvey face YMCA in the first of two Semi-Finals. YMCA earned the right to face Lisnagarvey following an exceptional comeback in the final ten minutes of their Quarter Final clash with Monkstown. They now face a Lisnagarvey side that has been the top side in the country this season, scoring the most goals of any side and conceding the fewest. The Ulster outfit will hope they can add another title to their collection this season and set up a potential treble.
Afterwards, Three Rock Rovers and Banbridge meet in the second Men’s Semi-Final and last match of the day. Three Rock narrowly missed out on a league title on goal difference, pushing Lisnagarvey until the final weekend for the destination of the title to be determined. They face current back-to-back EY Champions Trophy holders Banbridge, who stumbled in the latter stages of the league campaign but regained their footing to beat Avoca 6-0 in their Quarter Final.
The winners of each Semi-Final will progress to Sunday’s EY Champions Trophy Finals with the Women’s teams set to compete at 13:00 and the Men’s teams playing at 15:45. Both Finals will be available to watch live on YouTube Sport TG4 and Hockey Ireland TV.
Saturday, May 3
EY Champions Trophy – Women
Semi-Finals
Loreto vs Old Alex
10:30 | Havelock Park, Banbridge
Having secured their second league title in a row and a bronze medal in the EuroHockey Club Trophy in the last few weeks, Loreto will enter the weekend as favourites to secure the EY Champions Trophy. With just a single loss all season in the league, the most goals scored, and the third fewest conceded their record speaks for itself.
However, they won’t have it easy as they face an Old Alex side that seems to be hitting its peak at just the right time. Alex secured their Semi-Final spot thanks to a comprehensive 6-0 win away from home against Catholic Institute. Add to that their 2-2 draw against Loreto in Round 18 and you have yourself a very exciting match-up.
This time could well be won or lost in the opening quarter. If Old Alex can deny Loreto’s attacking options opportunities, and knab the opening goal like they did in Round 18 they could well cause an upset. If Loreto hit the ground running, then it’s hard to see a way that any team can stop them.
Umpires: Liz Clifford, Zoe Hall.
Railway Union vs Ulster Elks
12:30 | Havelock Park, Banbridge
Somewhat of a David versus Goliath story in this Semi-Final as current EY Champions Trophy holders Railway face an Ulster Elks side that is proving themselves to be one of the top side in only their second season in the topflight.
After recovering from a shaky start to the season, Railway have looked unstoppable, recording an incredible unbeaten run across domestic competitions that stretches back to October of last year and has seen them secure second place in the league, a Leinster Jaqui Potter Cup, an AIG Irish Senior Cup Final, and of course their place in the EY Champions Trophy Finals. While their cohort of Ireland Internationals are key to their success, the players around them have been nothing short of exceptional this year, with Emma Maloney topping the Goalkeeping charts, Niamh Shaw proving crucial in defence, and the likes of Lily Lloyd and Niamh Gowing proving most of their goals.
Ulster Elks though are no walkovers. While their results through the season have been more mixed than Railway’s, they have quietly been very effective all year. The addition of Canadian internationals Anna Mollenhauer and Audrey Sawers added some additional experience to the side, while the talents of Jessica McMaster, Gabi Scott and Evie Duncan, to name a few, provide a flare and cutting edge.
Two very different styles will likely come head-to-head in this one; Railway will look to limit their opponents attacking opportunities and punish mistakes quickly, while Elks will throw the kitchen sink back at them, using their pace and skill to try carve open the most resolute defence in the league. This is going to be a fascinating tie.
Umpires: Oli Brown, Sarah Craig
EY Champions Trophy – Men
Semi-Finals
Lisnagarvey vs YMCA
15:00 | Havelock Park, Banbridge
League winners and European silver medalists Lisnagarvey face YMCA as they pursue a second trophy this season. The Ulster side have been almost unstoppable all year, with three players on double-digits for goals, and a handful more not far behind them, giving them the most ruthless attack in the league. Add to that a defensive core that has conceded the second fewest goals thanks to the efforts of players like James Milliken and Peter McKibbin and you have a dangerous combination that is hard to compete with.
They face a YMCA side that has a penchant for the unpredictable. The Leinster side have managed some superb results this year, taking points off Banbridge and Three Rock but also dropping points to teams that finished below them like Avoca and Corinthian. However, both times they faced Lisnagarvey they lost by just a single goal, something that will no doubt give them confidence entering this match. They also love a late goal, most recently booking their place in the Semi-Final with their win over Monkstown thanks to two goals in the final ten minutes.
An early goal for Lisnagarvey will be the best way to assert themselves on the game, but if the game is in anyway close entering the final few minutes, don’t be surprised if YMCA managed to score another late goal to force a shoot-out or even cause an upset.
Umpires: Bruce Bale, Alison Keogh
Three Rock Rovers vs Banbridge
15:00 | Havelock Park, Banbridge
Having finished below Lisnagarvey on goal difference, an EY Hockey League title continues to evade Three Rock Rovers. But the Leinster side still have the ultimate prize to fight for: the EY Champions Trophy and a place in Europe next season.
Three Rock have been almost faultless all season, recording the fewest losses, conceding the fewest goals and scoring the third most. The return of Luke Madeley has been a key element of this, the Ireland international added considerable experience to the backline, with young keeper James Coffey excelling behind him. But the prowess of Ben Johnson in front of goal has been the difference maker; 21 goals this season saw him top the scoring charts.
Banbridge meanwhile looked to be every bit as good as they were in 2023/24 when the season began, scoring goals for fun as they always do. Their late season faulter which saw them lose three in their last five threatened to derail them entirely as they entered the Quarter Finals, but a confident 6-0 win over newly promoted Avoca has put them right back in the mix to secure a third EY Champions Trophy in a row. Johnny McKee’s electric performance last weekend will no doubt have opposition on high alert.
Three Rock’s positive record over Banbridge this season, 1 win and a bonus point loss stands them in good stead going into the tie. But as Banbridge have proven, the past is the past and it’s what you do in the here and now that matters in the EY Champions Trophy.
Umpires: Rob Argent, Shane O’Donnell
Sunday, May 4
EY Champions Trophy – Women
Finals
Winner SF 1 vs Winner SF2
13:00 | Havelock Park, Banbridge
EY Champions Trophy – Men
Finals
Winner SF 1 vs Winner SF2
15:45 | Havelock Park, Banbridge