Latest news with #EYHL
Belfast Telegraph
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Derby rivals Ulster Elks and Pegasus lock horns in mouth-watering Play-Off Quarter-Final duel
It is the hosts who come into the weekend as hot favourites having finished six points and two places ahead of their Belfast rivals in the regular season. Meanwhile, of the 2024/25 season's previous four meetings, it is Joel Cathcart's side who come out on top with two wins and two draws. However, Elks come into the tie with just one win in their previous three outings, beating Pembroke Wanderers 1-0 on the last day of the season with a Zahra Lowry strike. In contrast, Pegasus won three of their previous four League games, with a Katie McKee strike earning a 1-0 win on the last day of the season to secure their Play-Off spot. Elsewhere, Banbridge are also in Quarter-Final action as they host Avoca in the men's section of the competition. The 2023/24 EYHL champions finished the regular season in third place, ending the season with a 3-1 defeat to Monkstown two weeks previously. Looking to bounce back, they take on an Avoca outfit they have already beaten twice in the 2024/25 season with an aggregate score of 9-2. The sides last met back in February when four goals from Johnny McKee were added to by Peter Brown and Phillip Brown (2) strikes that sealed a comfortable win for the Ulster side. In the EYHL2, Cookstown, Portadown and Queen's University could all earn promotion as they contest their Semi-Final clashes. In the men's section, Cookstown take on Cork Harlequins in Dublin with the mid-Ulster side looking to return to the EYHL after two seasons in the Premier League. The Ulster Premier League champions finished the group stages with an almost faultless record, winning seven of their eight group games and scoring an outstanding 37 goals. Forward Greg Allen was also in sensational form in the group, scoring 10 goals, and his side will be relying on him once more today as they take on the Munster champions for a place in the EYHL in the 2025/26 season. In the women's section, Queen's take on Monkstown, hoping to cap off an impressive 2024/25 season. In the midst of a successful season, Simon Bell's side finished the domestic League unbeaten to win the Legacy Wealth Management Premier League for a second consecutive term, wrapping up their invincible campaign with a 3-0 win over Mossley in midweek. Two goals from Ellie Edwards and a Zoe Wilson strike sealed the win and continued their fine form in their push for promotion. They now face a Monkstown side who came second in Pool A behind Ulster outfit Portadown and are led by Chloe Watkins, who scored three goals in the group stages of the competition. The final game of the weekend sees Portadown just one win away from promotion, and they face a Corinthians side who knocked them out of the Irish Senior Cup with a shoot-out victory in February.
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.
