Saturday, April 11: The penultimate weekend of EY Hockey League fixtures didn’t disappoint as both Banbridge and Lisnagarvey remain neck and neck in the fight for the title, the survival scrap rages on in the Women’s EYHL, and promotion remains on the cards for seven different clubs in the Women’s and Men’s EYHL2.
In the Women’s EYHL, Pembroke Wanderers climbed out of the relegation zone with a crucial 2-0 win away to Ulster Elks. A late goal and shootout victory against Pegasus added two further points to Catholic Institute’s tally to carry them into the EY Champions Trophy Play-Off places. Portadown dropped into the relegation places with an away loss to second place Railway Union. And Loreto came from behind twice to eventually beat a stubborn UCD side in Belfield.
In the Men’s EYHL, Lisnagarvey maintained their place at the summit with a confident home win against Monkstown, while a late Banbridge penalty corner ensured they stayed within touching distance of their title, beating YMCA 3-2 at Wesley College. Pembroke Wanderers came out on top of a frenetic nine goal thriller against Avoca to strengthen their target of a top four finish, and dent their opponent’s hopes of a Play-Off place. Three Rock Rovers guaranteed third spot with a 5-2 win at home to Corinthian. And Cookstown made the long trip to Cork worthwhile as they picked up a 4-1 win against Cork C of I in Garryduff.
In the Women’s EYHL2, Avoca remained in pole position in the race for promotion, leaving Lisnagarvey with a 2-0 win. Ards came away with a potentially crucial drawing bonus point against UCC, but drop to third, as Monkstown capitalised to take second place with a 4-0 away win against Cork Harlequins. And University of Galway edged out visiting Belfast Harlequins in Dangan.
In the Men’s EYHL2, Cork Harlequins put 11 past Bray to stay top of the table. Portrane survived a home scare against South Antrim, coming from a goal behind to remain in the promotion race. Instonians made no mistake against Clontarf to stay within a point of Portrane in second. And Bandon and Queen’s University secured bragging rights with the former leaving Catholic Institute with a drawing bonus point, while the later beat CI Annadale 3-1.
Catholic Institute 1 [3 – 2] 1 Pegasus
UCD 2 – 3 Loreto
Railway Union 2 – 1 Portadown
Ulster Elks 0 – 2 Pembroke Wanderers
Women’s EYHL Standings
Loreto – 42pts
Railway Union – 34pts
UCD – 28pts
Pegasus – 24pts
Queen’s University – 22pts
Catholic Institute – 21pts
Pembroke Wanderers – 20pts
Old Alex – 20pts
Portadown – 19pts
Ulster Elks – 19pts
Three Rock Rovers 5 – 2 Corinthian
Cork C of I 1 – 4 Cookstown
YMCA 2 – 3 Banbridge
Avoca 4 – 5 Pembroke Wanderers
Lisnagarvey 3 – 1 Monkstown
Men’s EYHL Standings
Lisnagarvey – 41pts
Banbridge – 39pts
Three Rock Rovers – 34pts
Pembroke Wanderers – 29pts
Monkstown – 24pts
Avoca – 23pts
Corinthian – 22pts
YMCA – 17pts
Cookstown – 9pts
Cork C of I – 5pts
Ards 2 [3 – 0] 2 UCC
Cork Harlequins 0 – 4 Monkstown
Lisnagarvey 0 – 2 Avoca
University of Galway 1 – 0 Belfast Harlequins
Women’s EYHL2 Standings
Avoca – 18pts
Monkstown – 17pts
Ards – 16pts
UCC – 15pts
Belfast Harlequins – 11pts
University of Galway – 9pts
Trinity Ladies’ – 4pt
Cork Harlequins – 4pts
Lisnagarvey – 2pts
Portrane 3 – 2 South Antrim
Cork Harlequins 11 – 1 Bray
CI Annadale X – X Queen’s University
Instonians 3 – 1 Clontarf
Catholic Institute 1 [1 – 3] 1 Bandon
Men’s EYHL2 Standings
Cork Harlequins – 21pts
Portrane – 20pts
Instonians – 19pts
Queen’s University – 15pts
Clontarf – 12pts
South Antrim – 9pts
Bandon – 5pts
Catholic Institute – 5pts
CI Annadale – 5pts
Bray – 3pts
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