Wednesday, March 19: A potentially season-defining weekend in the EY Hockey League lies ahead as a number of top sides go head-to-head.
In the Women’s EYHL, Loreto have an opportunity to secure the league title on Saturday when they face Railway Union. Pegasus make the long journey to UCC, and UCD host Ulster Elks in Belfield. Pembroke Wanderers have a must win game against Old Alex as they battle to avoid the relegation zone. And Catholic Institute have a double-header, facing Ards in Rosbrien on Saturday before travelling to the Mardyke on Sunday to face fellow Munster side UCC on Sunday.
In the Men’s EYHL, Banbridge and Lisnagarvey headline the weekend as they face off in Havelock Park. Annadale host Avoca in a must-win game for both sides as they battle for survival. YMCA host league leaders Three Rock Rovers, while Corinthian travel to UCD. And Monkstown face a double weekend, with Pembroke away on Saturday and Three Rock Rovers at home on Sunday.
In the Women’s EYHL2, another full schedule sees Monkstown and Portadown meet in a potential decider for who will top Pool A, while Cork Harlequins play Greenfields. In Pool B, Corinthian face Ashton, with the visitors needing a win keep pace with Lurgan in third. Lurgan meanwhile face University of Galway on home soil.
In the Men’s EYHL2, Cookstown and Cork C of I meet in a crucial battle for top spot in Pool A, with Bandon travelling to face Railway Union. In Pool B, Portrane will look to bounce back when they host Kilkeel in Donabate, and Cork Harlequins and Instonians meet as both look to solidify their place among the play-off spots.
Saturday, March 22
EY Hockey League Division 1 – Women
Catholic Institute vs Ards
12:45 | Rosbrien
The first of two big games for Institute sees them face Ards in Rosbrien with a huge opportunity ahead to make a push for top 2. For Ards time is ticking as they continue to fight for survival in the EYHL. Ards are just three points adrift of Pembroke Wanderers but are without a win in the EYHL in 2025. The visitors will hope they can do what no other team has been capable of doing yet this season and leave Rosbrien with three points.
Umpires: Liz Cliford, Stuart Egner
UCD vs Ulster Elks
13:00 | Belfield Water
A collegiate battle as Ulster Elks travel to Belfield to face UCD on Saturday. Hosts UCD are in the midst of a resurgence having fought their way out of the relegation zone and put themselves within play-off contention. But Elks are a force of their own this year, enjoying arguably their best topflight season ever as they sit in third, with their 2-1 win over UCD back in October an additional source of confidence for the Ulster side.
Umpires: Linda Coughlan, Linda Johnston
Railway Union vs Loreto
13:00 | Park Avenue
With the chance to crown themselves as EYHL Champions lying ahead for the third consecutive time, Loreto will no doubt be fired up for this fixture. However, second place Railway Union will not roll over. The hosts still have a slim chance at winning the league, and while a chance still exists they will continue to fight. Loreto will need to be clinical on Saturday if they are to get the result they are after as Railway continue to give up very few chances to their opposition.
Umpires: Sarah Craig, Zoe Hall
UCC vs Pegasus
13:00 | The Mardyke
While UCC’s chances of staying in the topflight look slimmer and slimmer, they still have plenty to play for with a first EYHL win a potentially huge achievement for the Cork students. They will face Pegasus as they look to do just that. Home advantage could play a massive factor with Pegasus making the long journey down for this tie.
Umpires: Neil Sandes, Tanja Schafer
Pembroke Wanderers vs Old Alex
16:00 | Serpentine Avenue
The pressure is mounting on Pembroke as they sit just one place above relegation with four games still to play. They face an Old Alex side they sit fifth in the standings, but in the midst of a tricky patch, having drawn all four of their last games. A win today could prove vital for both sides, with Alex able to take another step towards the Play-Offs, while Pembroke could widen the gap between them and the relegation spots.
Umpires: Oli Brown, Amy Jones
EY Hockey League Division 1 – Men
YMCA vs Three Rock Rovers
13:00 | Wesley College
There is no room for errors for Three Rock as they look to keep the pressure on Lisnagarvey at the top of the table with another win on Saturday. The hosts, however, have been strong of late, securing a place in their first AIG Irish Senior Cup final since 2001, but did suffer defeat in their last EYHL outing against Avoca. For TRR it will be all about limiting YMs penalty corner count and continuing their clinical nature if they are to get a result.
Umpires: Bruce Bale, Simon McAllister
Pembroke Wanderers vs Monkstown
14:00 | Serpentine Avenue
There is a long-standing rivalry between these two Dublin clubs with them set to meet yet again on Saturday. Monkstown have enjoyed the better season of the two so far, with the visitors in fifth as things stand, and Pembroke behind them in seventh. Monkston could climb to fourth if other results go their way, while Pembroke will want to boost their Play-Off chances even more with a win potentially seeing them overtake Corinthian in the standings.
Umpires: Neil Mackay, Shane O’Donnell
Annadale vs Avoca
14:30 | CIYMS Sports Ground
A major matchup in the fight for survival as Avoca travel to Annadale on Saturday. Annadale are currently ninth, four points behind Avoca in eight. The last time these sides met Avoca had to settle for a bonus point draw. The visitors will hope that they can build on their win over YMCA a fortnight ago, as well as their win over Three Rock in the Mills Cup on St Patrick’s Day.
Umpires: Les Allen, Robert Johnston
Corinthian vs UCD
15:15 | St Columba’s College
With Pembroke breathing down their neck, Corinthian have an opportunity to strengthen their position amongst the top six on Saturday when they face UCD. The hosts continue to be a tough team to beat most recently drawing with YMCA last weekend and narrowly missing out on their first Irish Senior Cup Final on a penalty shootout. The students are still without a win in the league but can’t be underestimated.
Umpires: Malcolm Coombes, Simon O’Connor
Banbridge vs Lisnagarvey
17:00 | Havelock Park
Undoubtedly the tie of the round, Banbridge host Lisnagarvey in a game that could play a huge role of the destination of the league title this season. Lisnagarvey are in control, with three points separating them and Banbridge who sit third, but Banbridge do hold the bragging rights having beaten Garvey in the league before Christmas. This is going to be a massive tie.
Umpires: Rob Argent, Alison Keogh
EY Hockey League Division 2 – Women
Pool A
Cork Harlequins vs Greenfields
12:45 | Harlequin Park
While passage out of the Pool stages is now out of the question for both of these sides, both Quins and Greenfields will be keen to finish out their campaigns in positive manners. Last time these teams met, Quins came away with as 2-0 wins, a result that Greenfields will be keen to reverse.
Umpires: Peter Motyer, TBC
Monkstown vs Portadown
14:20 | Rathdown School
A potentially pivotal fixture in Pool A as Monkstown and Portadown meet in a top of the pool clash. A win for Portadown would secure their spot at the top and see them progress directly to the Semi-Finals, while a result for Monkstown keeps their top spot hopes alive. Portadown remain unbeaten in the pool, and are the only side to inflict a loss on Monkstown this campaign.
Umpires: Paul Rainey, TBC
Pool B
Lurgan vs University of Galway
12:30 | Lurgan
Depending on results elsewhere, Lurgan could almost guarantee their place in the play-offs this Saturday if they can pick up a home win against University of Galway. The hosts won 4-0 the last time these sides met back in February, a result they will hope to reproduce on Saturday.
Umpires: Lyn Morrow, TBC
Corinthian vs Ashton
13:15 | St Columba’s College
After last weekend’s huge away win to Queen’s University, Corinthian have a chance to go top of Pool B on Saturday and really put the pressure on Queen’s. As it stands Queen’s boast a better goal difference than Corinthian, something that the Dublin club will need to bear in mind in their final two games. For Ashton however, they need to pick up more points this weekend in order to keep pace with Lurgan and keep their play-off hopes alive.
Umpires: Abigail Bolger, Gill Hohn.
EY Hockey League Division 2 – Men
Pool A
Cookstown vs Cork C of I
14:30 | Cookstown High School
A battle for top spot in Pool A between Cookstown and Cork C of I promises to be an exciting one. Both sides remain unbeaten in the competition thus far, with Cookstown marginally ahead by 3pts. The sides shared the points last time out down in Garryduff and we expect this encounter to be another closely fought one.
Umpires: TBC
Railway Union vs Bandon
15:15 | Park Avenue
A match that Kilkenny will certainly be keeping a close eye on, Bandon travel to Park Avenue to face Railway Union. A win or draw for Munster side Bandon would guarantee them third spot in the Pool and a place in the play-offs, putting them mathematically out of reach of Kilkenny and Railway. For Railway, it’s all about pride on Saturday.
Umpires: Neal Hermon, Ryan Smith
Pool B
Portrane vs Kilkeel
14:00 | Donabate
A shock defeat last weekend against Cork Harlequins could threaten to unbalance Portrane who were unbeaten in the competition up to that point. Despite the result, Portrane are well on track to top their pool and secure passage directly to the Play-Off Semi-Finals. First though they will face Kilkeel this Saturday. Bottom in the pool having played four times, Kilkeel have been a mixed bag to date showing an ability to score goals but also a propensity to concede them too. Every game they have been involved in to date has had atleast a combined 5 goals scored, so expect plenty more this Saturday.
Umpires: Michael Scott, TBC
Cork Harlequins vs Instonians
14:45 | Harlequin Park
A huge encounter in the battle for that preferred second spot in Pool B when Cork Harlequins welcome Instonians to Harlequin Park. The hosts have momentum on their side as they come off the back of a major result last weekend over Portrane. Instonians though look to be improving with each round, having recorder teir first win last weekend as well. The sides shared the points in an exciting 3-3 draw last time out, this one is likely to be just as close.
Umpires: Jim Butler, David Murray
Sunday, March 23
EY Hockey League Division 1 – Women
UCC vs Catholic Institute
12:30 | The Mardyke
A second game of the weekend for both sides sees bottom side UCC host Catholic Institute. A second win in two days could see Institute close the gap on the teams above considerably, and even leapfrog Ulster Elks, should Elks fail to get a result on Saturday. Hosts UCC will be up for this one, with bragging rights over their Munster rivals a huge incentive, as well as the change in fortunes three points could afford them.
Umpires: Jim Butler, Malcolm Coombes
EY Hockey League Division 1 – Men
Monkstown vs Three Rock Rovers
16:00 | Rathdown School
Every game is must win from here on out in the battle for the league title as Three Rock pay a visit to fellow Leinster side Monkstown. A TRR win would see them take top spot if they also get a result on Saturday. Last time these sides met, TRR emerged as 3-1 winners but the return of Jeremy Duncan and the continued form of Lee Cole from set-pieces could play a factor. Having said that, TRR are not short of goal threats with Ben Johnson, Luke Madeley, and Ryan Spencer all in fine form.
Umpires: Robert Johnston, Simon McAllister