Ireland: Hockey Ireland Weekend Domestic Fixtures Preview: EY Champions Trophy, Saturday April 27th & Sunday April 28th

The EY Hockey League season is coming to its climax this weekend with the last four of the Champions Trophy for both Men and Women. Banbridge are the hosts with all matches taking place on the main pitch at Havelock Park. The action begins on Saturday at 10:30am with the first of the two Women’s Champions Trophy semi-finals.

Loreto, who are the current holders of the Champions Trophy and the recently crowned EYHL Division 1 winners, take on 2023 EYHL Division 1 winners UCD. In 2018, UCD won the EYHL Women’s League elite Division and Loreto denied them the Champions Trophy defeating UCD en route to winning the Trophy. In 2023, UCD also won the EYHL Women’s League elite Division and once again Loreto denied them the Champions Trophy defeating UCD en route to winning the trophy.  In 2024 Loreto have won the EYHL Women’s League elite Division, on this occasion could UCD be the party poopers?  The most recent league game was decided by the only goal, so this game is full of potential outcomes.

Railway Union who narrowly missed out on the Champions Trophy play-offs in 2023, got a bye into the semi-finals by virtue of their 2^nd place finish in the League Table. Third placed Catholic Institute recently qualified for their third consecutive Irish Senior Cup final, winning the Senior Cup in 2022 and beaten finalists last year. Could Catholic Institute make the final? Their big game experience suggests it’s possible, but the excellent form of Railway Union this season suggests the opposite outcome is also highly likely. This game is very likely to be very close and go all the way to 1 v 1s.

In the men’s competition, YMCA surprised a lot of people by reaching the semi-final last weekend. They shouldn’t have been so surprised as YMCA’s form since Christmas has been excellent. Banbridge, EYHL Division 1 winners for the past two years and winners of the Champions Trophy in 2023, are also at home so would be most people’s favourites to advance. This game my well go to form but this is knockout hockey after all.

In the second semi-final Lisnagarvey who finished in 2^nd place in the EYHL in both 2023 and 2024 take on a Monkstown side that beat highly fancied Glenanne in the quarter final. Monkstown go into this game with nothing to lose. Lisnagarvey have to take them on in a venue where they have enjoyed mixed results over the years. Lisnagarvey are justifiable favourites but Monkstown have caused upsets before and may do so again.

Sunday sees the Women’s final at 13:00 and the Men’s final will follow at 15:30. This event is ticketed, prices start at GBP 10 and can be purchased at the gate on arrival.