Harlequins and C of I target EYHL1 promotion
Harlequins and C of I men have the opportunity this weekend to gain promotion to EYHL 1 for next season in the EY Hockey League Division 2 play-off on Saturday at St Columba's College.
C of I take on Portrane, a side that topped their Pool impressively in just their second ever campaign. C of I have been strong defensively this season with captain Ian Balding leading the backline with Sean Bateman.
Up front Gearoid Cashman and Rob Sweetnam have hit a run of goalscoring form which they will look to carry into the match.
Immediately following C of I's game, Cork Harlequins return to the semi-finals for the second year running, taking on Cookstown.
After narrowly missing out last season, Quins will be determined to go one better this term. The addition of Iarlaith O'Neill in goal had shored them up defensively this season and all eyes will be on top scorer Julian Dale to provide the firepower up front.
Elsewhere, in the Men's EY Champions Trophy Play-Offs, third place finisher Banbridge face Avoca in Havelock Park, while fourth place Monkstown host fifth place YMCA as the sides look to join Lisnagarvey and Three Rock Rovers for the Men's EY Champions Trophy Finals Weekend.
In the Women's EY Champions Trophy, Catholic Institute meet Old Alex in Rosbrien after the two sides finished fourth and fifth, while third place Ulster Elks face fellow Ulster side Pegasus who finished sixth in the league standings.
The winners of each will join Loreto and Railway Union in the Women's EY Champions Trophy finals weekend.
C of I women also have a big weekend in store as they take on Avoca in Garryduff in the semi-final of the Irish Hockey Trophy.
C of I have an incredible pedigree in the competition having won it on three occasions. In what has been a rebuild for the team, they have done remarkably well to get this far in the competition and with home advantage, will fancy their chances of making another final.
It is also Munster finals weekend in Harlequins this weekend.
A total of 17 games will take place over the weekend with teams competing across all divisions for cups, leagues and promotions.
Fixtures
Friday
Munster finals weekend - all at Harlequins
Men's Div 3 title play-off: Harlequins C v Midleton B, 6.45pm.
Women's Div 6 plate final: Blackrock III v Midleton III, 7.45pm.
Saturday
Men's EYHL Division 1 quarter-finals: Banbridge v Avoca, 2.30 pm; Monkstown v YMCA, 2.20 pm.
Men's EYHL Division 2 semi-finals: Portrane v Cork Church of Ireland, 10.30 am; Cookstown v Cork Harlequins, 12.30pm.
Men's Irish Hockey Trophy semi-final: Queen's University v South Antrim, 2.30 pm
Women's EYHL Division 1 quarter-finals: Catholic Institute v Old Alexandra, 12.45 pm; Ulster Elks v Pegasus, 2pm.
Women's EYHL Division 2 semi-finals: Portadown v Corinthians, 2.45 pm; Queen's University v Monkstown, 4.45pm.
Women's Irish Hockey Trophy semi-finals: Ballymoney v Glenanne, 2.30 pm; Cork Church of Ireland v Avoca, 2pm.
Munster finals weekend U16 Girls Div 2 cup final: Belvedere v C of I, 10am.
Women's Div 5 cup final: C of I IV v Clonmel II, 11am.
Women's Div 4 cup final: Belvedere II v Crescent II, 12pm.
Men's Charity cup final: Catholic Institute v Waterford, 1pm.
U.8 Girls Div1 cup final: Clonmel v Limerick, 2pm.
Women's Div 2 cup final: Ashton II v U.C.C. II, 3pm.
Men's McLean cup final: Catholic Institute B v C of I D, 4pm.
Women's Div 3 cup final: Bandon II v U.C.C. III, 5pm.
Sunday
Munster finals weekend
U16 Girls Div 3 cup final: Limerick B v Nenagh, 11am.
Women's Div 6 cup final: Cork Wanderers III v Tipperary II, 12pm.
U18 Girls Div 2 cup final: Kinsale v Nenagh, 12:45pm.
Men's Munster Junior Cup final: Ashton v Harlequins B, 2pm.
Men's Cork Cup final: C of I C v Waterford B, 2:30pm.
Women's Examiner Cup Final: Crescent v UCC II, 4pm.
U16 Girls Div 1 cup final: Cashel/New Inn v Harlequins, 4:30pm.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Irish Independent
Ireland men's hockey team announced for FIH Pro League in Netherlands and Belgium
Jaime Carr and Luke Roleston have been named as the two goalkeepers, both bringing winning momentum from their club seasons. Carr recently celebrated a league title with Gantoise in Belgium, while Roleston lifted the EY Champions Trophy with Banbridge, securing their place in next season's Euro Hockey League. Ireland's defence sees the return of Luke Madeley and Lee Cole, both of whom missed the India leg of the FIH Pro League in February but featured in Ireland's home series against India earlier this month. Also returning to the side are Seán Murray and Johnny McKee, who will make their first appearances for Ireland since the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Ireland will open this final leg of the FIH Pro League against World number and reigning Olympic gold medallists, the Netherlands, in the iconic Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen. The two matches are scheduled for June 11 and 12 at 7pm. The squad then moves on to Antwerp, Belgium, to take on Belgium, Australia, and Spain across six matches from June 14 to June 22. All of Ireland's FIH Pro League matches will be available to watch live or on demand on the TG4 Player. Ireland Men's Squad Jaime Carr, Luke Roleston, Lee Cole, Fergus Gibson, Nick Page, Ben Ryder, Peter McKibbin, Mark McNellis, Kyle Marshall, Luke Madeley, Sean Murray, Ben Pasley, Peter Brown, Kevin O'Dea, Daragh Walsh, Matthew Nelson, Ben Walker, Jeremy Duncan, Louis Rowe, Adam McAllister, Ali Empey, Ben Nelson, Luke Witherow, Jonny Lynch, Sam Hyland, Johnny McKee. FIH Pro League – Netherlands Stage – Fixtures (All times Irish) Learn more Wednesday, June 11: Netherlands v Ireland, 7pm Irish Time Thursday, June 12 – Netherlands vs Ireland – 7pm FIH Pro League – Belgium Stage – Fixtures (All times Irish) Saturday, June 14 – Belgium vs Ireland – 2.30pm Sunday, June 15 – Belgium vs Ireland – 2.30pm Tuesday, June 17 – Australia vs Ireland – 2.30pm Wednesday, June 18 – Ireland vs Australia – 2.30pm Saturday, June 21 – Ireland vs Spain – 9.30am
Irish Times
22-05-2025
- Irish Times
Ireland backrow Aoife Wafer to join Harlequins
Ireland backrow Aoife Wafer will join Premiership side Harlequins later this season. The 22-year-old was named 2025 Six Nations player of the championship last week, having previously been shortlisted for the award in 2024. The Wexford woman, who was also included in this season's Six Nations team of the championship and the 2024 world Rugby team of the year, will leave Leinster for the west London club following the conclusion of the Rugby World Cup later this season. Harlequins' last Premiership title came in 2021. This season they reached the semi-finals but were defeated by Saracens. READ MORE Speaking of her move, Wafer said: 'I'm really looking forward to being here and I can't wait to get going. 'This league has all the star players in the world in it. I want to be the best player in the world, and I can't wait to test myself out against those stars every week.' ✍️ History in the making. The next chapter is ready to be written. 📚 📦 Delivered by — Harlequins Women 🃏 (@HarlequinsWomen) Harlequins head coach Ross Chisholm said he's delighted with Wafer's addition to his squad. 'We saw Aoife break through on the international scene and saw that the way she plays the game really suits the brand of rugby we want to play here too. We've watched her on her journey over the last few years and seen the progression she has had. She's announced herself as a real world-class operator,' said Chisolm. 'We want people here who are going to fit into our environment and also feel like they belong in it and with Aoife, we feel like it's a perfect fit.'
The 42
22-05-2025
- The 42
Ireland star Aoife Wafer seals Women's Premiership move to Harlequins
IRELAND RUGBY STAR Aoife Wafer is set for a move to England's Premiership after agreeing a deal with Harlequins. Wafer, 22, moves off the back of a stellar international campaign which saw her named Six Nations Player of the Championship. Advertisement The backrow, who is expected to have recovered from her recent knee injury in time for Ireland's pre-World Cup preparations, will link up with Quins after the tournament later this year. 'This league has all the star players in the world in it,' Wafer said. I want to be the best player in the world, and I can't wait to test myself out against those stars every week. Quins head coach Ross Chisholm hailed his new recruit as 'a real world-class operator'. 'We want people here who are going to fit into our environment and also feel like they belong in it and with Aoife, we feel like it's a perfect fit. 'When we are looking at recruitment, we always look at how players will fit into the Harlequins DNA, and with Aoife, it's clear that she really suits our style and the way we want to play. 'I'm delighted that she is going to be with us next season.'
