26-04-2025
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.
