EY Hockey League roars into life as title holders make winning starts.

Saturday, September 19: The 2026/27 EY Hockey League season roared into life today as all ten sides began their campaigns.

In the Women’s EYHL, it was neck and neck in the opening round with four of the five matches won by a single gol, and the fifth ending in a draw. Loreto began their quest for a fourth successive league title with a 2-1 win over UCD. Pembroke Wanderers and Railway Union both secured wins over Dublin rivals, with the former beating Old Alex and the latter getting the better of newly promoted Monkstown. In Ulster, Queen’s University Belfast got the better of Portadown, scoring a last minute penalty corner to secure all three points. And Ards mark their topflight return with a final quarter equaliser and shootout win over Pegasus to secure an early two points.

In the Men’s EYHL, five thrilling ties kicked off what is poised to be a closely fought season. Pembroke Wanderers came away with three points in a seven goal thriller against Corinthian, an Alan Sothern goal with two minutes to play proving the difference maker between the Leinster sides. A Lee Cole brace helped Monkstown salvage a point against Avoca, but the Blackrock side got the last laugh as they secured the bonus point from the shootout. Three Rock Rovers got their season underway with a commanding 4-1 win over newly promoted Cork Harlequins, with captain Ben Johnson scoring twice from penalty corners to open his personal account. Banbridge made their trip to Dublin a worthwhile one as they returned home with all three points from their encounter with YMCA. And Lisnagarvey began their title defence with a comprehensive seven-goal win over topflight debutants Portrane, with five different players getting on the scoresheet.

 

 

 

Monkstown 0 – 1 Railway Union

Queen’s University 2 – 1 Portadown

Loreto 2 – 1 UCD

Old Alex 0 – 1 Pembroke Wanderers

Pegasus 1 [3 – 4] 1 Ards

 

Loreto – 3pts

Queen’s University Belfast – 3pts

Pembroke Wanderers – 3pts

Railway Union – 3pts

Ards – 2pts

Pegasus – 1pt

Monkstown – 0pts

Old Alex – 0pts

Portadown – 0pts

UCD – 0pts

 

 

Three Rock Rovers 4 – 1 Cork Harlequins

Monkstown 3 [0 – 2] 3 Avoca

YMCA 0 – 2 Banbridge

Lisnagarvey 7 – 0 Portrane (Live on Hockey Ireland TV)

Pembroke Wanderers 4 – 3 Corinthian

 

Lisnagarvey – 3pts

Three Rock Rovers – 3pts

Banbridge – 3pts

Pembroke Wanderers – 3pts

Avoca – 2pts

Monkstown – 1pt

Corinthian – 0pts

YMCA – 0pts

Cork Harlequins – 0pts

Portrane – 0pts

Hockey Ireland