Hockey: Lisnagarvey hit the front as relegation battles heat up

Title races and relegation fights go up a level as we head into the final weeks of the season.

UCC's Lauren Cripps take on the Harlequins defence during their EYHL Division Two clash at the Mardyke.

Saturday's Round 16 EY Hockey League fixtures delivered plenty of drama across all four divisions, with title races tightening and relegation battles intensifying heading into the final weeks of the season.

In the Men's EYHL1, Lisnagarvey moved two points clear at the top after Monkstown came from two goals down to snatch a bonus-point draw against Banbridge.

Corinthian hammered C of I 6–0, compounding their relegation worries further — the best they can hope for now is a relegation playoff. Pembroke Wanderers continued their fine form with a 3–1 victory over YMCA.

In the Women's EYHL1, the big result of the day saw Pembroke Wanderers stun league leaders Loreto 3–2, handing the Dublin side a rare defeat and breathing life into the bottom of the table.

Catholic Institute continued their impressive run of results with a 1–0 win over UCD, Aoife Hickey grabbing the vital goal. Old Alex also picked up a valuable bonus point in a 2–2 draw with Ulster Elks, while Portadown's 2–0 win over Pegasus eased some of their own relegation concerns. With just two rounds remaining, only six points separate six clubs at the bottom of the table.

In the Men's EYHL2, Portrane ran riot against Bray winning 7–0, as Cork Harlequins and Instonians also kept their promotion pushes firmly on track.

Bandon and Catholic Institute's hopes of promotion have evaporated as they both conceded five goals in defeats to Queen's University and Clontarf respectively.

In the Women's EYHL2, Avoca moved to the top of the table with a convincing 4–0 home win over Belfast Harlequins, while Monkstown and UCC both kept pace with big victories of their own.

UCC defeated local rivals Cork Harlequins 4–0 at the Mardyke, with goals from Micaela Sanderson (2), Eabha Curran, and Nicole Clarke giving the students the win. Despite the scoreline, it was a competitive encounter, with Harlequins goalkeeper Joy O'Kelly producing several excellent saves to keep her side in the game.

In Women's Munster Division 1, C of I closed out the season strongly with a 5–0 rout of Waterford, with the evergreen Amy Roberts getting a brace.

The Garryduff side have been a different team since the turn of the year, turning a possible relegation battle into a comfortable midtable finish.

Ashton consolidated a fourth-place finish with a 2–1 comeback win over third-placed Crescent in Limerick, with goals from Kate Harvey and Sadhbh O'Shea.

RESULTS 

Men's EYHL 1: Monkstown 2, Banbridge 2; Three Rock Rovers 2, Avoca 2; Corinthian 6, Cork C of I 0; Cookstown 2, Lisnagarvey 5; Pembroke Wanderers 3, YMCA 1.

Women's EYHL 1: Queen's University 2, Railway Union 2; Catholic Institute 1, UCD 0; Loreto 2, Pembroke Wanderers 3; Ulster Elks 2, Old Alex 2; Pegasus 0, Portadown 2.

Men's EYHL 2: Bray 0, Portrane 7; CI Annadale 1, Cork Harlequins 3; Queen's University 5, Bandon 1; South Antrim 2, Instonians 5; Clontarf 5, Catholic Institute 0.

Women's EYHL 2: Trinity Ladies 2, University of Galway 0; Avoca 4, Belfast Harlequins 0; Monkstown 6, Lisnagarvey 0; UCC 4, Cork Harlequins 0.

Men’s Munster Division 1: Waterford 4, Harlequins B 0.

Women’s Munster Division 1: C of I 5, Waterford 0; Crescent 1, Ashton 2.