Latest news with #EYChampionsTrophy
Belfast Telegraph
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Banbridge see off Lisnagarvey in dramatic shoot-out to claim third straight Champions Trophy
League champions Garvey made them fight all the way to retain the title, Bann coming from behind thanks to a Peter Brown penalty stroke to eventually win the shoot-out 4-3. An intense opening quarter saw Lisnagarvey come out of the blocks quickly, forcing a superb save from Luke Roleston in the opening minutes. A second chance from a penalty corner came soon after, with Lisnagarvey finding the net but the goal being chalked off for a foul in the build-up. A rare chance for Banbridge late in the first quarter gave Adam McKee a shot on goal on his reverse, but his effort went wide to leave the sides level at the break. The game evened out in the second quarter, with both sides going end-to-end in quick breaks. It was Lisnagarvey who opened the scoring though, captain Andrew Williamson reacting quickest to a loose ball and finding the net. The Lisburn side's hold on the game continued into the second half, Daniel Nelson providing a great opportunity for brother Ben that just failed to materialise. But Banbridge responded well, beginning a period of ascendency that lasted for the remainder of the game. Two penalty corners in the third quarter gave them chances to draw level, chances they failed to take as the first effort from Louis Rowe was blocked, followed by Philip Brown's drag flick that went wide. Banbridge continued to produce chances in the final quarter. A penalty corner in the 57th minute finally resulted in a positive outcome for Bann, with the effort striking the Lisnagarvey defender on the goal line. Peter Brown stepped up to convert the resulting penalty stroke and force a shoot-out. Luke Roleston shrouded himself in glory in the shoot-out, producing two huge saves to give Mark Cowan the opportunity to win it on the final attempt. Cowan stepped up and calmly slotted the ball past Lisnagarvey goalkeeper James Milliken to secure Banbridge's third EY Champions Trophy title in a row. Banbridge's victory secures their place in Europe in 2025/26, with the side returning to the EHL.
Irish Examiner
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Church of Ireland secure promotion to the EYHL Division 1
Having secured promotion in Saturday's semi-finals, Cork C of I and Cookstown, and Queen's University and Portadown met in their respective EYHL 2 finals to determine the destination of this season's silverware. Cork C of I and Cookstown met in the first final of the day. A closely contested first half saw Cork C of I go into the break leading 2-1. The Munster side turned up the heat in the second half, producing a clinical performance to put three unanswered goals passed Cookstown to win out 5-1. Straight after, Ulster rivals Queen's University and Portadown met, to determine the destination of the women's trophy. A confident and professional performance from Queen's saw them secure a 2-0 victory, adding the EYHL 2 trophy to their Ulster Premier League title this season. Cork C of I, Cookstown, Queen's University, and Portadown will all play in next season's EY Hockey League following their promotion this weekend. In the Men's EY Champions Trophy, Banbridge made no mistake against Avoca to book another finals weekend place, with a Johnny McKee hat-trick helping them secure a 6-0 win. YMCA produced a stunning final quarter comeback to beat Monkstown 2-1, Oliver Graham and Adam Walker grabbing the crucial goals. Banbridge will now face Three Rock Rovers, while YMCA meet Lisnagarvey in the EY Champions Trophy semi-finals in Havelock Park on May 3. In the Women's EY Champions Trophy, Old Alex hit Catholic Institute for six in Rosbrien to reach the finals weekend, with six different scorers helping them overcome Catholic Institute. Elsewhere, Ulster Elks edged a tight encounter with fellow Ulster side Pegasus, with Elks eventually managing to book their place in the Finals Weekend in the Penalty Shoot-Out. Old Alex will face Loreto and Ulster Elks will meet Railway Union in the EY Champions Trophy Finals Semi-Finals in Havelock Park on May 3. In Munster it was a busy weekend of cup action with Crescent winning the Women's Division 4 final. It was double delight for UCC women's sides as they won the Division 2 and 3 finals. Waterford won the Men's Charity Cup final, with Catholic Institute to the fore in the McLean Cup final. On Sunday C o I beat Waterford in the Men's Cup final to finish off a good weekend for the club.
Irish Examiner
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
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.
