Ireland: Hockey Ireland Weekend Domestic Features Preview: Saturday April 20th & Sunday April 21st.

This weekend sees both the EY Hockey League Men’s and Women’s Division 1 Champions Trophy Quarterfinals, and the EYHL Division 2 Men’s and Women’s Play Off Finals.

EY Hockey League Men’s and Women’s Division 1 Champions Trophy Quarterfinals:

Last weekend, in the Women’s Division 1, we had a particularly tight playoff race with Ulster Elks and Old Alexandra finishing on the same number of League points as well as being dead level on goals for, against and goal difference. So, it came down to other criteria and the deciding factor was the number of League wins each team managed to get. Both teams had 22 League points, but Ulster Elks had 5 wins and Old Alexadra had 6 wins, and therefore took the 6^th and final quarter-final playoff berth. Ulster Elks unfortunately in 7th place miss out on the Champions Trophy for this season.

The draw for the quarterfinals which is known in advance is that the 3^rd placed team is at home to the 6^th placed team. So, in the Men’s draw Glenanne host Monkstown and in the Women’s draw Catholic Institute host Old Alexandra. In the other quarterfinal, the 4^th placed team host the 5^th placed team. So, in the Men’s draw YMCA host Three Rock Rovers and in the Women’s draw, Pembroke Wanderers host UCD.

EYHL Division 2 Men’s and Women’s Play Off Finals:

Cork Church of Ireland will host this weekend’s EYHL 2 Play-Off Finals at Garryduff. Both of the semi-finals in both divisions take place on Saturday with both finals taking place on Sunday. All finalists, Men’s and Women’s, will be promoted to the EYHL Division 1 for season 2024-25.

For Avoca in the EYHL Men’s semi-final it’s a chance to qualify for the EYHL Division 1 for the first time in their history. For opponents Cork Harlequins, a chance to return a Munster team to the elite level for the first time in several years. Cookstown will be looking for a swift return to the topflight as will their Leinster opponents Pembroke Wanderers having suffered relegation in 2023.

For Ards in the Women’s semi-finals, it could also mark a swift return to the topflight having suffered relegation twelve months ago. Cork Harlequins are seeking a return to the topflight where they feel they belong. Harlequins won the Irish Senior Cup as recently as 2019. Belfast Harlequins were also relegated in 2023 and will be seeking a swift return to Division 1. For University College Cork, they will be seeking to join fellow universities UCD and UUJ (Ulster Elks) in the top division for the first time in the current season long format.

SATURDAY APRIL 20TH 2024

EYHL MEN’S DIVISION 2 SEMI-FINALS

AVOCA V CORK HARLEQUINS – 10:30 A.M. GARRYDUFF , CORK

COOKSTOWN V PEMBROKE WANDERERS – 12:30 P.M. GARRYDUFF , CORK

EYHL WOMEN’S DIVISION 1 QUARTER-FINALS

CATHOLIC INSTITUTE V OLD ALEXANDRA – 13:00 ROSBRIEN

PEMBROKE WANDERERS V UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN – 13:00 SERPENTINE AVENUE

EYHL MEN’S DIVISION 1 QUARTER-FINALS

GLENANNE V MONKSTOWN – 13:30 ST. ANDREW’S COLLEGE

YMCA V THREE ROCK ROVERS – 13:30 WESLEY COLLEGE

EYHL WOMEN’S DIVISION 2 SEMI-FINALS

CORK HARLEQUINS V ARDS – 15:00 GARRYDUFF, CORK