Men's EY Hockey League gets underway as newcomers Avoca host Lisnagarvey

Ireland all-time top scorer Shane O’Donoghue. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

The men’s EY Hockey League starts this weekend with four games taking place.

Newcomers Avoca host last season's runners up Lisnagarvey having added Ireland all-time top scorer Shane O’Donoghue to their ranks.

Munster men Mark Collins and Kevin O’Dea are significant additions to Three Rock Rovers' already exciting young side - they face Pembroke Wanderers.

The other two Dublin derbies see UCD face Monkstown while Corinthians host YMCA.

In the men’s Munster Senior league Waterford face Bandon in a game both sides need points after defeats last weekend.

Cork Harlequins travel to Catholic Institute and will be wary of the threat they pose on the counter after they took all three points last weekend in Waterford.

In other news the men’s senior side have been reinstated to the Pro League after previously getting relegated.

New Zealand withdrawal means Mark Tumilty's side keep their top flight status for the incoming season. The promotion will give Ireland high quality games that they otherwise wouldn’t have got this year after they missed out on qualification to the Euros.

Catholic Institute women will be looking to build on an opening day win over UCC but know Railway Union will provide a stiffer challenge. Railway boasts a number of Irish internationals including ex-Institute player Roisin Upton.

UCC host fellow students Ulster Elks at the Mardyke knowing how important home advantage is going to be this season for them.

In the women’s Munster league the result of the Ashton and Bandon game could give an early indication of the favourites to make the EYHL 2 places.

Harlequins are likely to be one of these sides and they travel to Limerick to face an ever improving Crescent side.

FIXTURES Men’s EY Hockey League 1: Avoca v Lisnagarvey, Newpark, 2.30pm; Corinthians v YMCA, Whitechurch, 3.15pm; Monkstown v UCD, Rathdown, 2.15pm; Pembroke Wanderers v Three Rock Rovers, Pembroke HC, 4.15pm.

Men’s Munster Division 1: Waterford v Bandon, Newtown School, 2pm; Catholic Institute v Harlequins 2.45pm.

Women’s EY Hockey League 1: Catholic Institute v Railway Union, Rosbrien, 12.45pm; UCC v Ulster Elks, Mardyke, 1pm; Loreto v UCD, Loreto, 1.15pm; Old Alex v Ards, Old Alexandra College, 3.30pm; Pembroke Wanderers v Pegasus. Pembroke HC, 2pm.

Women’s Munster Division 1: Ashton v Bandon, Ashton School, 12.30pm; Crescent v Cork Harlequins, Crescent Comprehensive, 2pm; Waterford v Catholic Institute B, Newtown, 12pm.

Rory Noonan Chief Sub-Editor The Echo: Assistant Production Editor Irish Examiner, Western People, Roscommon Herald.

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