Hockey: Double header weekend as Banbridge begin title defence
Lauren Cripps, UCC breaking through the Ulster Elks defence during their EYHL Division match at the Mardyke, Cork. Picture Dan Linehan
It’s shaping up to be a demanding weekend for the men’s EYHL 1 teams, as all sides face a double-header with matches on both Saturday and Sunday.
Banbridge, the defending champions, are set to start their league campaign after missing the opening weekend due to their involvement in the EuroHockey League, Europe’s top club competition.
In the EuroHockey League round of 16, Banbridge faced a tough challenge against Belgian side Royal Leopold, ultimately losing 4-2. However, they bounced back impressively, defeating Grasshoppers Zurich from Switzerland 3-1 to secure 13th place overall.
This weekend, Banbridge will begin their domestic EYHL 1 campaign with an away match against UCD on Saturday, followed by a home game against Monkstown on Sunday.
In the women’s EYHL 1, it’s another tough test for newcomers UCC as they are away to defending champions Loreto.
Historically, promoted teams have often needed time to adjust to the higher level of competition, and UCC is no exception.
Meanwhile, Catholic Institute will be watching the UCC v Loreto match with keen interest. If UCC can manage a surprise upset, it would open the door for Catholic Institute to claim the top spot in the standings. To do so, they’ll need to take care of their own business at Belfield, where they face UCD.
UCD has had a difficult start to the season, suffering defeats in their opening matches against Loreto and Old Alex, and are still looking to put their first points on the board.
This weekend also marks the start of the Irish Cup competitions, with the Irish Hockey Trophy taking centre stage.
On the men’s side, former champions Bandon and Waterford will be looking to use the competition as a turning point, having both endured tough starts in the Munster Senior League.
Both teams face tricky away fixtures, with Bandon travelling to South Antrim and Waterford heading to Portadown.
For the women’s competition, the standout fixture is the local derby between Church of Ireland and Ashton. Church of Ireland, three-time winners of the trophy, still boast key players from their 2019 triumph, including Sarah Wrixon, Julie Coyne, Hannah Honner, and Nicola Kerr.
Ashton, despite a challenging start to the season and a squad that underwent significant changes over the summer, will be looking to this match as a chance to build momentum.
Coach Darren Wilkinson will view the tie as a key opportunity for his team ahead of their participation in EYHL 2.
Elsewhere, Bandon women, two-time champions themselves, will host Glenanne from Dublin. Bandon will be full of confidence, having secured a big win over Ashton last weekend, and will hope to carry that form into this cup clash.
Annandale v YMCA, CIYMS Sports Ground, 2.30pm; Lisnagarvey v Pembroke Wanderers, Lisnagarvey HC, 3pm; Monkstown v Avoca, Rathdown School, 2.15pm; Three Rock Rovers v Corinthians, Grange Road, 1pm; UCD v Bandbridge, Belfield, 3pm.
Clontarf v North Down, Mount Temple School, 1.30pm; NICS v Railway Union, Stomont, 2.30pm; Portadown v Waterford, Edenvilla SC, 1pm; Portrane v Dublin University, Donabate, 2pm; Queens University v Kilkenny, Queen's University, 2.30pm; South Antrim v Bandon, 2.45, Friends School; Weston v Wicklow, Griffeen Valley Park, 2pm.
Ards v Pembroke Wanderers, Londonderry Park, 2.30pm; Loreto v UCC, Loreto Beaufort High, 1.15pm; Railway Union v Old Alex, Railway Union, 1.30pm; Ulster Elks v Pegasus, University Ulster Jordanstown, 2.30pm; UCD v Catholic Institute, Belfield, 1pm.
Avoca v Lisnagarvey, Newpark School, 2.30pm; Ballymoney v Banbridge, Joey Dunlop LC, 2.30pm; Bandon v Glenanne, Bandon GS, 2pm; Clontarf v Trinity, Mount Temple, 12pm; Church of Ireland v Ashton, Garryduff, 12pm; Greenfields v Portrane, Dangan, 1.45pm; NUIG v Mossley, Dangan, 3.45pm; Omagh v Three Rock Rovers, Campsie Pitch, 2.30pm.
Annadale v Three Rock Rovers, CIYMS Sports Grounds, 2.30pm; Avoca v Pembroke Wanderers, Newpark School, 3.30pm; Banbridge v Monkstown, Havelock Park, 2.30pm; Corinthians v Lisnagarvey, Whitechurch, 2pm; YMCA v UCD, Wesley College, 4.30pm.
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