Dublin, October 13: A busy schedule of fixtures this weekend saw all 20 teams compete for the first time. For the Men, they faced an early double-game weekend to test each team’s depth and ability to rebound.
In the Women’s EY Hockey League Loreto took top spot and remain the only side to maintain a perfect record. Old Alex and Ards grab statement wins as they keep pace with the league leaders.
In the Men’s EY Hockey League, Lisnagarvey and Three Rock rovers sit in 1st place with 9pts apiece. Banbridge make it two wins from two in their first weekend of the EYHL Season. YMCA win both of their games following defeat in round 1. Avoca grab their first points of the season to lift themselves off the bottom of the table thanks to win over Pembroke on Sunday.
In the Women’s EY Hockey League, Loreto maintained their perfect league start with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over UCC. The Cork students made things difficult for their Dublin counterparts, keeping the score at 1-0 going into the final quarter. Loreto took their late chances to eventually run out 3-0 victors thanks to goals from Siofra O’Brien and Captain Mia Jennings.
Old Alex grabbed themselves a statement victory over last season’s EYHL runners-up Railway Union. Two penalty corners gave Old Alex a 2-0 lead. Róisín Upton got Railway back in contention with 20 minutes left on the clock, but Alex stood firm to take all 3pts.
Newly promoted Ards also made their mark with a 2-0 victory of their own. Rachel Houston put the home side ahead after 20 minutes. Zara Malseed secured the victory with another goal to add to her tally with 4 minutes still to play.
Ulster Elks, Pegasus, UCD and Catholic Institute had to settle for draws in Round 3. Pegasus and Elks went to battle in an exhilarating tie which saw Elks go ahead on three separate occasions. Pegasus fought level every time, with the game ending 3-3. In the Shootout to determine who would get the bonus point Elks held their nerve to run out 4-2 victors in front of a home crowd.
UCD dug deep in front of their home crowd to hold Catholic Institute to a goalless draw in regular time. The students however had to settle for just the one point, with Catholic Institute showing their experience to comfortably win the Shootout 2-4.
The results mean Loreto go top of the table with 9 points, just 1 point ahead of Limerick side Catholic Institute who are yet to record a loss. Old Alex sit just behind on 7pts, showing an early statement of intent from them. College sides UCC prop up the table, yet to record a point but showing signs of improvement week on week. UCD sit just above them on 1pt thanks to their draw today.
In the Men’s EYHL, Banbridge began their campaign with a comfortable 7-0 victory over UCD in Dublin. A very one-sided game saw the league champions lead by four before half time.
Fellow Ulster side Lisnagarvey made light work of Pembroke at home winning 9-3. The game looked like it may have been a tight matchup with the home side leading 2-1 going into half time. However, a strong third quarter saw Lisnagarvey pull away.
Three Rock Rovers bagged 5 goals for the second time in two games to beat Corinthian at home. Three Rock scored all 5 in the first half to cruise to victory, with Irish Internationals Luke Madeley, Kevin O’Dea, and Ben Johnson all on the scoresheet.
Monkstown had to fight hard to overcome newly promoted Avoca in Rathdown. The Sky Blues grabbed an early lead after 3 minutes thanks to Geoff Cole, but Avoca fought back to take a 1 goal lead thanks to two penalty corners from Guy Sarratt and Shan O’Donoghue. Monkstown took control of the game Q3 to take a 3-2 lead, but Avoca drew level with just over 10 minutes to play. Lee Cole was the hero for the home side, slotting a penalty corner into the net with 8 on the clock to give the home side the win.
YMCA recovered from their opening round defeat to beat Annadale away from home. YM went a goal down after 15 minutes thanks to a David Tremlett goal. However, the Dublin side fought back to go 4-1 up. Annadale clawed a goal back in the final quarter, but it was quickly cancelled out by a duo of late goals from YM.
On Sunday, the Men returned to the pitch for Round 3 of the EY Hockey League. The day as characterized by comfortable enough victories for most of the winning sides.
Banbridge backed up their win yesterday with a strong victory over Monkstown in front of their home fans in Havelock Park. The result never looked in doubt as Banbridge gradually built up a 4-0 lead. Lee Cole grabbed a late consolation for Monkstown to see the game end 4-1.
Three Rock made it three from three, beating Annadale away from home. Three Rock went 2-0 up before half time thanks to Evan Jennings and Kevin O’Dea. Annadale reduced the deficit to a single goal when Spencer Pinnion scored, but Ben Johnson’s second half brace made it a comprehensive victory for Three Rock.
Lisnagarvey joined Three Rock at the top of the table as they added another 7 goals to their tally during their 7-3 victory over Corinthians in Dublin. The Ulster side had built u a sizeable 4-1 lead before half time, eventually extending the lead to 4 goals to leave Dublin with all three points.
Avoca grabbed their first ever points in the EY Hockey League as they recovered from their loss against Monkstown to beat rivals Pembroke 2-0. A first half brace of penalty corners from Shane O’Donoghue gave Avoca a two-goal lead. Goalkeeper Jakim Berndsen saved yet another penalty stroke, his second in three games to maintain his team’s lead. The home side held out against several waves of Pembroke attacks to finish the game victorious.
In the final game of the weekend, YMCA hit college side UCD for six in Wesley College to grab their second win of the weekend. Victory for YM never looked in doubt as they gradually built a sizeable lead over UCD.
The weekend’s results see Three Rock and Lisnagarvey top the table with 9pts, with Banbridge hot on their heels with 6, and a game in hand. YMCA and Monkstown also have 6pts. Avoca climb out of the bottom positions thanks to today’s victory, joining Corinthians on 3pts. Annadale, Pembroke and UCD prop the table up, with all three sides yet to secure any points in the competition so far.
