Saturday, March 14: There was plenty to celebrate on Sunday for EY Hockey League sides, as teams closed out the weekend with crucial wins.
In the Men’s EYHL, Avoca picked up their second win of the weekend as they overcame rivals Monkstown. A brace for Alex Derrien, who took his tally to four for the weekend, gave Avoca a strong lead going into the closing stages. Monkstown clawed a goal back through Jeremy Duncan, but Jason Rogan put the game to bed scoring into an empty net to secure Avoca their seventh win of the season. The result takes them to fourth in the standings, and further strengthens their bid for an EY Champions Trophy Play-Off place.
In the Women’s EYHL, Catholic Institute plunged the survival fight at the bottom of the table into further uncertainty as they picked up a 2-1 win over Old Alex. A pair of penalty corner goals, one from Emilie Ryan Doyle and the other from Eimear Ryan were enough to hand Inst. the victory, staving off a late fightback from Old Alex who made it a one score game through Jessica McGrane in the final quarter. Catholic Institute climb to seventh in the table, level on points with Portadown and a point clear of the relegation zone having played one more game than the teams around them.
In the Women’s EYHL2, Belfast Harlequins got their second win of the weekend, and their third of the campaign, beating Trinity Ladies’ with a dramatic late goal thanks to captain Alyssa Jebb. Harlequins climb to fifth, just two points off Ards and UCC at the top of the table as the Ulster club make a push into the promotion fight.
Catholic Institute 2 – 1 Old Alex
Monkstown 1 – 3 Avoca
Belfast Harlequins 1 – 0 Trinity Ladies’