Saturday, March 21: Another round of EY Hockey League fixtures brought yet more twists in the tale of the survival battle, while league leaders across the EYHL Divisions 1 & 2 maintained their imperious form.
In the Women’s EYHL, Loreto took another major step towards a third successive league title as they beat Pegasus away from home. Ulster Elks and Old Alex both secured wins to give themselves a small cushion above the relegation zone, with Elks stunning Railway Union in Park Avenue, while Old Alex fended off a late Queen’s fightback to secure a 4-3 win. UCD solidified their place further in the top three with a 1-0 win that applied further pressure on Pembroke who sit bottom of the table and two points adrift of safety.
In the Men’s EYHL, Banbridge and Lisnagarvey both put five on the board in home wins over Cookstown and Cork C of I respectively. Corinthian came from two goals behind to stun Avoca at Newpark and bolster their EY Champions Trophy Play-Off hopes. Three Rock Rovers took their revenge over YMCA after their provincial loss earlier in the week to climb to third. And Pembroke surged to a 4-2 win away to Monkstown thanks to a brace each for Alan Sothern and Matthew Treacy.
In the Women’s EYHL2, Ards and Avoca both managed to record wins over Trinity Ladies’ and University of Galway respectively to maintain their unbeaten records and stay at the top of the table. Belfast Harlequins secured a bonus point after a scoreless draw with Monkstown to boost their promotion hopes and dampen their oppositions’. And Lisnagarvey recorded their first EYHL2 points with a shootout win over Cork Harlequins, following a 2-2 draw in regular time.
In the Men EYHL2, Portrane and Cork Harlequins secured three points over CI Anndale and Queen’s University respectively to remain top of the Men’s table. Instonians eeked out a tense 2-1 win over a stubborn Bray side to remain within touching distance of the top two. South Antrim climbed to fourth with their win over Catholic Institute to continue their upward momentum. And Clontarf beat Bandon away from home to record a third win.
Railway Union 0 – 1 Ulster Elks
Old Alex 4 – 3 Queen’s University
Pegasus 0 – 4 Loreto
Pembroke Wanderers 0 – 1 UCD
Monkstown 2 – 4 Pembroke Wanderers
Avoca 2 – 3 Corinthian
Lisnagarvey 5 – 0 Cork C of I
YMCA 0 – 3 Three Rock Rovers
Banbridge 5 – 1 Cookstown
Belfast Harlequins 0 [3 – 2] 0 Monkstown
Ards 2 – 0 Trinity Ladies’
Avoca 1 – 0 University of Galway
Lisnagarvey 2 [3 – 2] 2 Cork Harlequins
Cork Harlequins 5 – 3 Queen’s University
Instonians 2 – 1 Bray
Portrane 4 – 0 CI Annadale
Bandon 0 – 2 Clontarf
South Antrim 2 – 1 Catholic Institute