FOLLOWING on from last weekend’s Knockout-16 round, the winning teams are preparing for the AIG Irish Senior Cup quarter final match-ups this Saturday, February 22.
In the Women’s competition, Ulster Elks host Railway Union in one of the most difficult ties of the round to call. Loreto welcome Pembroke Wanderers to Beaufort with the hosts high on confidence following an 8-2 win in their KO16 round. Corinthian will be keen to cause an upset when they face Catholic Institute. UCD and Pegasus will battle it out for a place in the semi-finals in another interesting encounter.
Elsewhere, three EY Hockey League Division 2 games will take place between Saturday and Monday as Monkstown face Muckross in a crucial Women’s Pool A match as both teams look to keep pace with Portadown. And on Monday night, Queen’s University host fellow Ulster side Lurgan in a Women’s Pool B meeting.
AIG Irish Senior Cup – Women
Ulster Elks vs Railway Union
Saturday | 12:45 | Ulster University
Arguably the most difficult match-up of the quarter final stage to call is first on the bill as Railway Union travel north to face Ulster Elks. Both sides are enjoying fine veins of form with Elks on a seven-game and Railway on a nine-game unbeaten streak across Hockey Ireland outdoor competitions. These sides met less than three weeks ago in the league, playing out a tight 1-1 draw.
Umpires: Sarah Craig, Julie Fisher
Loreto vs Pembroke Wanderers
Saturday | 12:45 | Loreto Beaufort
Host Loreto have continued their flying form from 2024 into 2025 and will have aspirations of a return to the AIG Irish Senior Cup Final, having exited the comp in the semis in 2024. The side got off to an ideal start with a confident 9-2 win over visiting Cork Harlequins. Pembroke’s win over Monkstown last week saw them progress, with the chance of an upset fueling the already burning fire of an all-Leinster encounter.
Umpires: Alison Keogh, Luka Novakovic
University College Dublin vs Pegasus
Saturday | 15:00 | Belfield Water
Hosts UCD have been on a constant upward trajectory since their slow start to the campaign, a trend they will look to carry into their second game of the AIG Irish Senior Cup. They face a Pegasus side who have been defensively solid all year, forcing sides into tight encounters both at home and on the road. Another difficult fixture to call, this one might go all the way to a penalty shootout to decide who progresses to the Semi-Finals.
Umpires: Ben Geoghegan, Peter Urwin
Corinthian vs Catholic Institute
Saturday | 15:15 | St Columba’s College
After coming out on top against Portadown, Corithian face another massive test as they welcome Catholic Institute. The visitors will be favourites among neutral fans given their topflight status, but progression is by no means guaranteed for the Munster side. Corinthian will take a lot of confidence into the game, particularly from the strong performances of goalkeeper Berne Van Wyk both in normal time and when called upon in the penalty shootout.
Umpires: Liz Clifford, Cameron Slade
EY Hockey League Division 2 – Women
Pool A
Monkstown vs Muckross
Saturday | 15:00 | Rathdown School
A crucial Pool A tie for both sides sees Monkstown host fellow Leinster side Muckross in Rathdown School. The sides are well acquainted having met in their provincial league before Christmas with Monkstown emerging as 2-0 winners, a result that will bolster their confidence for the Pool A meeting. For both sides, a win is critical as they aim to keep pace with Portadown and finish among the play-off places in their pool.
Umpires: Kris Cholewa, Simon MacAllister
Pool B
Queen’s University Belfast vs Lurgan
Monday | 19:45 | Queen’s University
QUB host Lurgan for a Monday night match under the floodlights as both sides play their second Pool B games of the campaign so far. Both Ulster teams made strong starts in their first games, with Lurgan grabbing a 4-0 win on the road against University of Galway, and QUB picking up a 1-0 win away to Corinthian. A win for either side would see them top the table to take early control of the pool.
Umpires: TBC
