Wednesday, April 08: A season-defining weekend lies ahead in the EY Hockey League Division 1 & 2, with titles still on the line, safety hanging in the balance, and the promotion fight reaching a crucial stage.
On Saturday in the Women’s EYHL, another relegation battle grabs the headlines as Ulster Elks look to climb the table towards the play-off places when they host tenth-placed Pembroke Wanderers, who need to secure points to bolster their survival hopes. Catholic Institute host Pegasus, with the former looking to potentially widen the gap between themselves and the bottom two, while the latter targets a return to winning ways after defeat last weekend. Portadown travel south in the hope of causing an upset against second-placed Railway Union and keeping their pursuit of a play-off place alive. UCD host champions Loreto as they aim to lock down third spot in the standings.
On Friday in the Men’s EYHL, Three Rock Rovers and Corinthian meet under the Grange Road floodlights as the hosts look to secure a tenth league win and guarantee third spot, while the visitors hope to cause an upset that could earn them an EY Champions Trophy play-off place.
On Saturday, Lisnagarvey and Banbridge begin crucial double weekends with encounters against Monkstown and YMCA respectively, two sides that have enjoyed success against the top two over the last two seasons. Avoca face nearby rivals Pembroke Wanderers in a must-win match in their fight for a play-off place. Relegated sides Cork C of I and Cookstown go head-to-head in a battle for pride in Garryduff, as both look to secure late league victories to close out their campaigns on a high.
On Sunday, the top two sides return to action, with both clubs away from home. Current league leaders Lisnagarvey take on Corinthian, while Banbridge make the long journey to face Cork C of I.
In the Women’s EYHL2, the penultimate round of fixtures sees Ards and UCC go head-to-head in a potentially crucial meeting for two promotion hopefuls. Current league leaders Avoca will hope to claim a fifth win from seven as they travel to ninth-placed Lisnagarvey. Monkstown make the trip to face Cork Harlequins as they look to keep pace with the top three and potentially move into the promotion places. University of Galway welcome Belfast Harlequins to Dangan.
On Saturday in the Men’s EYHL2, Portrane and Instonians begin vital double weekends with meetings against South Antrim and Clontarf respectively. Cork Harlequins will look to remain top by the end of the day when they face Bray at home. Two provincial rivalries close out the day as CI Annadale take on Queen’s University and Catholic Institute host Bandon.
On Sunday, all eyes will be on Shaw’s Bridge as Instonians host Portrane in a tie that could prove decisive in the battle for promotion. Should both sides record wins on Saturday, the victors on Sunday would go top and take a huge step towards promotion.
20:00 – Three Rock Rovers vs Corinthian – Grange Road
12:45 – Catholic Institute vs Pegasus – Rosbrien
13:00 – UCD vs Loreto – UCD Belfield
13:40 – Railway Union vs Portadown – Park Avenue
14:30 – Ulster Elks vs Pembroke Wanderers – Jordanstown
13:00 – Cork C of I vs Cookstown – Garryduff
14:00 – YMCA vs Banbridge – Wesley College
14:30 – Avoca vs Pembroke Wanderers – Newpark School
15:30 – Lisnagarvey vs Monkstown – Comber Road
12:00 – Ards vs UCC – Londonderry Park
12:30 – Cork Harlequins vs Monkstown – Harlequin Park
13:30 – Lisnagarvey vs Avoca – Comber Road
14:30 – University of Galway vs Belfast Harlequins – Dangan
14:00 – Portrane vs South Antrim – Donabate
14:30 – CI Annadale vs Queen’s University – CIYMS Sports Ground
14:30 – Cork Harlequins vs Bray – Harlequin Park
14:30 – Instonians vs Clontarf – Shaw’s Bridge
14:45 – Catholic Institute vs Bandon – Rosbrien
12:30 – Cork C of I vs Banbridge – Garryduff
13:15 – Corinthian vs Lisnagarvey – St Columba’s
14:30 – Instonians vs Portrane – Shaw’s Bridge
16:00 – Clontarf vs South Antrim – Mount Temple
