Saturday, April 25: The last of the EY Champions Trophy Finals Weekend places were snatched up today, as two Men’s & Women’s sides progressed following four tense Play-Offs.
In the Women’s EY Champions Trophy Play-Offs, Portadown secured the first of the Finals Weekend places up for grabs with a roaring upset over UCD. An Annie Gordan brace in the opening quarter set the Ulster side on their way. UCD pulled a goal back in the opening minutes of the final quarter but goals in quick succession from Lara Wilson and Lucy McGaw put the game out of reach, with UCD scoring a late consolation.
Elsewhere at The Dub, Pembroke Wanderers came out on top of a very close encounter with Pegasus to progress. Katie McKee opened the scoring for the hosts after just four minutes, but Pembroke’s Holly Farrell cancelled the goal out before the end of the opening quarter. It remained neck and neck between the sides until the closing stages when Pembroke captain Emma Young converted from a penalty corner to hand her side the win.
In the Men’s EY Champions Trophy Play-Off, Three Rock Rovers put in a faultless performance to see off Corinthian. A first quarter brace from Ben Johnson was the ideal start for the hosts, before Conor Walsh and Simon Montgomery found the back of the net to finish off two excellent attacking moves for the home side.
In Serpentine Avenue, Pembroke Wanderers edged past rivals Monkstown to make their way to the EY Champions Trophy Finals. Pembroke Goalkeeper Ross Clarke saved a penalty stroke early on to keep the game scoreless before James Maginnis opened the scoring with a minute remaining in the first half to give the hosts the lead. Monkstown drew level soon after through Jeremy Duncan, but a late penalty corner gave Pembroke the opportunity to win the game, an opportunity Alan Sothern took, dragflicking the ball low and hard into the net.
The results see Portadown face Railway Union and Pembroke Wanderers take on Loreto in the Women’s EY Champions Trophy Semi-Finals, while Three Rock Rovers take on Banbridge and Pembroke Wanderers meet Lisnagarvey in the Men’s EY Champions Trophy Semi-Finals. All four matches will take place on Saturday, May 09 at Lisnagarvey Hockey Club, with the winners progressing to Sunday’s Finals.
UCD 2 – 4 Portadown
Pegasus 1 – 2 Pembroke Wanderers
Three Rock Rovers 4 – 0 Corinthian
Pembroke Wanderers 2 – 1 Monkstown
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