WITH the Women’s EY Hockey League top division set to resume after the winter break this Saturday, with all 10 teams in action, here’s a look at how each side has fared thus far, in order of their league positons.
Loreto – 27pts (7W, 4D, 0L)
The current title holders picked up from where they left off last season, entering the winter break unbeaten, meaning they closed out 2024 having not suffered a single loss in the EY Hockey League in 2024.
Several important outgoings in the summer for Loreto such as Hannah McLoughlin and Sarah Torrans could have spelled trouble for the Rathfarnham side, but this has proven not to be the case as they continue to be one of, if not the, strongest side in Irish hockey.
Having said that it hasn’t been plain sailing. The side dropped points in three straight rounds, showing they are in fact human. A number of long-term injuries forced head coach Paul Fitzpatrick into some key changes. The side did right the shit in their final game of 2024, a narrow 3-2 win over UCD to return to winning ways.
Loreto absolutely hold all the cards and will be favourites to retain the league title this season, but there won’t be any room for complacency with several sides giving chase.
Railway Union – 23pts (7W, 1D, 4L)
A slower than usual start to the season saw Railway Union in seventh after six rounds, having lost more matches in those rounds than they had in all of 2023/24.
Rather than sit and feel sorry for themselves, Railway took control, dialling up the intensity and resolidifying their defence, changes that resulted in the team going unbeaten in the six rounds that followed, taking 17 of the 18 points on offer back to Park Avenue. The side now sit second, four points adrift of Loreto having played an extra game.
With six games still to play the side could still mount a title challenge. However, they won’t have it easy. Railway have just two home games remaining, meaning they will have to ensure they are effective on the road. A trip to Ulster University is next as they try to continue their unbeaten run.
Ulster Elks – 21pts (5W, 3D, 4L)
Having finished outside the EY Champions Trophy places last season, Ulster Elks are staking their claim as a top side in the EYHL this year as they sit third in the table, with a six-point cushion separating them from seventh place. An impressive run in their final three games before the winter break saw them pick up a huge win over UCC at home, produce a comeback draw against Loreto, and then beat local rivals Pegasus to take them from sixth to third.
Elks have a tricky set of fixtures to navigate when they return as they face Railway Union and Catholic Institute as they attempt to record their best finish in the EY Hockey League so far.
Old Alex – 19pts (5W, 3D, 4L)
A strong start to their 2024/25 campaign saw Old Alex put themselves in the conversation for potential title contention, sitting in second after eight rounds with a win over Railway Union one of several statement performances.
A dip in form from mid-November onwards saw the side slip down the table, eventually stopping in forth, a point above Catholic Institute who have two games in hand. However, a hard-fought home draw against Railway Union in final round before the break may well have been a statement of intent from the Milltown side, who still have plenty to fight for as they sit within the EY Champions Trophy spots as it stands.
Catholic Institute – 18pts (5W, 2D, 3L)
While saying a fifth-place side are still challenging for the title may seem counterintuitive, Catholic Institute are very much still in the conversation given they have two games hand, games that if they win would lift them from fifth to second.
The Limerick side have looked the business yet again this year and have made Rosbrien a fortress. In the four home games they have played, they are yet to record a loss, dropping points just once in their draw against league leaders Loreto. Institute will play five of their remaining eight games on home turf, a factor that could play a huge part in their pursuit of Loreto at the top, or at the very least their likelihood of securing an automatic place in the EY Champions Trophy Semi-Finals, if they can lock down second spot.
Pegasus – 15pts (2W, 7D, 3L)
Excluding Loreto, Pegasus have recorded the joint fewest losses in the league this season with just three from 12 games so far. Seven draws, however, means the side aren’t as high up the table as maybe they would like to be, given their overall improvements since last season.
The Belfast side have been defensively solid, averaging just over 1 goal conceded per game. Their struggles have been largely offensively, having scored just 15 goals so far and over half of them coming in their first four games.
A top six finish is well within Pegasus’ reach. If they can find the net at a higher rate while maintaining their defensive form they are sure to start recording some wins.
Pembroke Wanderers– 15pts (3W, 4D, 4L)
Sitting in seventh place, level on points with Pegasus but with one less game played, Pembroke have shown flashes of being a strong side this season. Wins over Catholic Institute and Ulster Elks, along with a draw against Loreto suggest the side have the ability to compete with the top teams in the league, but other mixed results mean they sit just outside the Champions Trophy spots after eleven games played.
Much like Pegasus, Pembroke have been defensively sound but have struggled for goals particularly from open play, with 9 of their 14 goals this season coming from penalty corners. While it can be difficult to miraculously score more goals, leveraging their potent set-piece could be a strategy to success for the Dublin club.
Ards – 13pts (2W, 5D, 4L)
In their first season back in the EYHL, Ards have given a good account of themselves thus far and closed out the first half of the season with a positive string of results. Back-to-back draws against Pegasus and Ulster Elks followed by a win at home against Old Alex added crucial points to the board to keep themselves within touching distance of the teams above.
Zara Malseed has been talismanic, leading the goalscoring charts with an impressive tally of 7 in the competition, accounting for half of the team’s goals. Continuing to provide her with chances will be critical for Ards as they attempt to remain in the league, and maybe even sneak their way into those coveted top six spots.
The side have a crucial few weeks coming up during which they will face all of the current top five teams in their next five games. If they can cause a few upsets during that period, then anything is possible.
UCD – 11pts (3W, 2D, 6L)
UCD find themselves in a precarious position, sitting inside the relegation zone, while also being just 4pts away from a possible top 6 finish. The college side had a tough start to the season, picking up just one point from their opening five games. However, in the five games that followed the side enjoyed a considerable uptick in form, picking up wins against Ards, UCC and Pegasus to add crucial points to their total.
The side are not short of quality across the pitch, with the likes of Leah O’Shea, Mikayla Power, and Lauren Moore giving them a goal tally that is comparable to the top five sides. Defensively, they have conceded the second most goals of any side, a stat they will definitely look to change as they fight for their place in the league.
UCC – 6pts (0W, 3D, 7L)
Propping up the table is EYHL newcomers UCC. Despite occupying the bottom spot, UCC’s fight so far in the league has been relentless and exceptionally admirable. The side are yet to record a win, but have secured three draws, winning the bonus point on each occasion and could have a few more points having given teams like Railway Union and Old Alex scares during their encounters.
The side have a tough journey on their hands if they are to stay in the division and will need to make an immediate start with a result against visiting UCD in their first game back if they are to have a chance. But don’t count them out, there’s plenty more fight in UCC.
