Thursday, October 12 – Eindhoven, The Netherlands: Lisnagarvey Hockey Club secured their place in the Euro Hockey League Final 12 this Easter after an impressive weekend in Eindhoven, recording back-to-back victories over Swiss champions HC Rotweiss Wettingen and French side CAM92 to progress from Round 1 in emphatic fashion.
Garvey began their European campaign in sensational form against Rotweiss Wettingen, racing into an early lead with two penalty corners in quick succession. Jonny Lynch opened the scoring with a powerful slap before captain Mark McNellis followed suit, flicking into the back of the net to give the Lisburn side a dream start.
Erroll Lutton’s side continued to build their advantage in the second quarter, with Oliver Kidd slapping home a Matthew Aughey pullback before Harry Archbold added a fourth, finding the net from close range with his reverse stick to put Garvey firmly in control.
The Swiss champions responded in the third quarter, converting a penalty corner to reduce the deficit, but Garvey quickly restored their four-goal cushion as Kidd produced a deft touch to a Lynch delivery, diverting the ball beyond the goalkeeper for his second of the match. Wettingen added a late consolation, but it did little to take the shine off a commanding 5-2 victory which left Garvey firmly in control of Pool D heading into their final fixture.
Wettingen had opened their campaign the previous day with a 3-1 victory over CAM92, meaning a draw in Garvey’s final pool match would be enough to guarantee progression. However, there was little sign of complacency from the Irish side as they took to the pitch against the French outfit, with Garvey keen to avenge their defeat to CAM92 in the EuroHockey Club Trophy final earlier this year.
Ben Nelson set the tone with an excellent individual effort, driving into the opposition circle before calmly flicking the ball into the net to give Garvey the lead. Kidd then continued his outstanding weekend in front of goal, converting a penalty corner in the second quarter to register his third goal of the campaign and double the advantage.
Garvey maintained their momentum after the break, with Matthew Nelson making it three early in the second half, slapping home after an excellent carry from Lynch. Aughey then produced a moment of individual quality, weaving his way towards the right-hand baseline before finding just enough space to squeeze the ball into the net from a tight angle.
McNellis added a fifth from a penalty corner, finding the bottom corner to further underline Garvey’s dominance, before Archbold put the finishing touch on an outstanding team performance. Reacting quickest after Matthew Nelson’s effort was saved, the young attacker supplied the decisive touch to send the ball goalward just before the final hooter and complete a comprehensive 6-0 victory.
The result confirms Lisnagarvey’s place at the Euro Hockey League Final 12 in March 2027, a third ever appearance at the competition’s knock-out stages for the Lisburn side. Lisnagarvey will now return to Irish domestic action where they will hope to continue their flawless start to their EY Hockey League defence as they turn their attention to a home tie with Avoca in Round 5.
Lisnagarvey 5 – 2 HC Rotweiss Wettingen
CAM92 0 – 6 Lisnagarvey
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