27-04-2025
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.
