Saturday, May 10 – Lisnagarvey: It was a fitting end to a sensation domestic hockey season, as Lisnagarvey and Railway Union crowned themselves EY Champions Trophy winners in two epic finals.
Railway Union and Loreto got the day underway in another incredible encounter of the two heavyweight sides of women’s hockey. A close opening quarter ensued, Loreto getting the only penalty corner of the first period, but their effort was well saved.
Railway Union were quick out of the blocks in Q2, Katie Mullan winning the ball in the press and firing at goal, but her effort went over the bar. A second effort followed, calling Elizabeth Murphy into action to make a smart save.
Railway’s pressure eventually came good, Hollai Quinn pouncing quickest on a loose ball to break the deadlock. Loreto, however, had a response, scoring with a minute remaining in the first half from a penalty corner, with Hannah Matthews providing the decisive touch to lift the ball over Jade Arundell.
A tense third quarter followed, as the sides battled it out in the middle of the park. A chance came Railway’s way from a penalty corner, but Loreto cleared their lines well. The EY Hockey League winners went up the other end, winning a penalty corner after some excellent play down the left flank. Their variation looked destined for the net, but flashed past the back post and the sides remained level.
The decisive moment of the game came in the final quarter as Kate Mullan took a quick free hit and earned a penalty corner for her side. Railway went back to their injector who played the ball back across goal for captain Sarah Patton to finish off, securing a third successive EY Champions Trophy title for the Sandymount side.
The Men’s Final followed, as fierce rivals Lisnagarvey and Banbridge met once again for what promised to be an epic conclusion to the side’s battle all season.
Chances came for both sides in the first quarter, coming largely in the hosts favour, but Banbridge came closest to opening the scoring from a penalty corner, forcing a good save from James Milliken and seeing their follow-up effort go over the bar.
The game continued in a similar vein until half-time, this time seeing Lisnagarvey have the better of the chances, Ben Nelson breaking with just seconds remaining in the half and forcing Luke Roleston into action in the Banbridge net.
James Milliken was required early in quarter 3 for Lisnagarvey to keep the game level, making an excellent save to deny Jake Rowe from a penalty corner. Peter Brown forced another save from Milliken, stinging the palms of the Garvey goalkeeper. The sides went into quarter four locked at 0-0.
A rapid start to the final period saw Lisnagarvey find the opening goal having won a penalty corner, Peter McKibbin deflecting in at the back post to put his side ahead. Banbridge, however, levelled, winning a penalty corner of their own, forcing another save from Milliken but the ball fell to Owen McElhinney to fire in on the rebound.
Lisnagarvey restored their lead with just three minutes remaining, Jonny Lynch providing the final touch in a super attacking move, a goal that the home support thought was the deciding moment. However, there was to be one more twist in the tale as Banbridge won a penalty corner, followed by a penalty stroke for a foot on the goal line. Peter Brown made no mistake from the spot to force a shootout.
James Milliken was the hero for the second weekend in a row, making three crucial saves to secure a historic treble and a place in Europe for Lisnagarvey.
Loreto 1 – 2 Railway Union
Lisnagarvey 2 [3 – 2] 2 Banbridge
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