Wednesday, March 25: It’s neck and neck in the race for EY Champions Trophy play-off places and top-flight promotion across EY Hockey League Division 1 and 2 as the league reaches its closing stages.
On Saturday, in the Women’s EYHL, Loreto host Pembroke Wanderers at Loreto Beaufort as they look to go another step closer to retaining the league title, while the visitors eye a major upset that would significantly bolster their survival hopes. Pegasus host Portadown in an Ulster derby, with Pegasus eyeing a seventh win, while Portadown look to distance themselves from the relegation zone. Catholic Institute return to action against UCD at Rosbrien, with the hosts also aiming to secure another win in their survival fight. Railway Union travel north to take on Queen’s as both sides hope to recover from league defeats last weekend. Ulster Elks take on Old Alex in the clash of the weekend, as both sides look to complete their impressive turnarounds and push further into the EY Champions Trophy play-off places.
On Sunday, Loreto return to action with an opportunity to secure the league title, should they win on Saturday, when they take on Queen’s University at Loreto Beaufort.
In the Men’s EYHL on Saturday, Monkstown host Banbridge at Rathdown School, aiming to put a stop to their run of recent defeats, while the visitors look to maintain control of the league title’s destination. Three Rock Rovers and Pembroke Wanderers will both look to lock down their spots among the top four as they take on chasers Avoca and YMCA, respectively. Lisnagarvey travel to Camlin Park to take on Cookstown, as the reigning champions look to keep their title fight alive. Corinthian host Cork C of I at St Columba’s, looking to pick up third win from three, as their pursuit of an EY Champions Trophy play-off place continues.
The action continues into Sunday, as the current top three are all in action, with Lisnagarvey taking on Pembroke Wanderers, Banbridge facing Corinthian, and Three Rock Rovers hosting Cookstown.
In the Women’s EYHL2, Avoca can go a point clear at the top of the table should they beat an in-form Belfast Harlequins side on Saturday. UCC and Monkstown will look to go level on points with Ards as they take on Cork Harlequins and Lisnagarvey, respectively. Trinity Ladies will hope to get their first win of the season in their penultimate outing but will have to beat a strong University of Galway side to do so.
In the Men’s EYHL2, Cork Harlequins and Portrane will both look to maintain their places in first and second as they take on CI Annadale and Bray away from home. Third-placed Instonians are also on the road, facing fourth-placed South Antrim in a must-win game for the former top-flight side. Clontarf host Catholic Institute as the Dublin outfit target a fourth win in five games, while Queen’s University take on Bandon, with both hosts targeting a top-half finish.
CI Annadale and Bandon will be in action again on Sunday at CIYMS Sports Ground, as the hosts hope to grab a win in their penultimate game, while the visitors continue their search for a first win of the season.
12:30 – Queen’s University vs Railway Union – The Dub
12:45 – Catholic Institute vs UCD – Rosbrien
13:15 – Loreto vs Pembroke Wanderers – Loreto Beaufort
14:30 – Ulster Elks vs Old Alex – Jordanstown
16:15 – Pegasus vs Portadown – The Dub
12:30 – Monkstown vs Banbridge – Rathdown School
13:00 – Three Rock Rovers vs Avoca – Grange Road
13:15 – Corinthian vs Cork C of I – St Columba’s
14:30 – Cookstown vs Lisnagarvey – Camlin Park
14:30 – Pembroke Wanderers vs YMCA – Serpentine Avenue
13:00 – Trinity Ladies’ vs University of Galway – Santry Sports Ground
14:30 – Avoca vs Belfast Harlequins – Newpark School
14:30 – Monkstown vs Lisnagarvey – Rathdown School
15:00 – UCC vs Cork Harlequins – The Mardyke
12:30 – Bray vs Portrane – Temple Carrig
12:45 – CI Annadale vs Cork harlequins – CIYMS Sports Ground
14:30 – Queen’s University vs Bandon – The Dub
14:45 – South Antrim vs Instonians – Friends’ School
17:00 – Clontarf vs Catholic Institute – Mount Temple
13:45 – Loreto vs Queen’s University – Loreto Beaufort
13:00 – Lisnagarvey vs Pembroke Wanderers – Comber Road
14:30 – Banbridge vs Corinthian – Havelock Park
14:30 – Three Rock Rovers vs Cookstown – Grange Road
14:00 – CI Annadale vs Bandon – CIYMS Sports Ground
