THE final round of the EY Hockey League season takes place this Saturday and, with Loreto crowned champions, the focus switches to the promotion battles.
In the Women’s EYHL, Loreto close out their title winning campaign with a home match versus rivals Old Alex.
UCD will attempt to end Railway Union’s 11 game unbeaten streak and lock down their Play-Off place.
Relegated sides UCC and Ards meet in The Mardyke, hoping to grab a win in their final top flight games this season. Catholic Institute host Pegasus, with the former hoping to secure third place while the latter looks to re-take sixth and progress to the Play-Offs.
And Ulster Elks will attempt to re-establish some momentum with a home win over Pembroke Wanderers as they begin to look ahead to the next stage.
In the Women’s EYHL2, Corinthian host Muckross in an All-Leinster quarter final, while Monkstown welcome Lurgan to Rathdown School as all four sides look to join Queen’s University and Portadown in the semi-finals.
Saturday, April 12
EY Hockey League Division 1 – Women
Loreto vs Old Alex
13:15 | Loreto Beaufort
With the league title secured for the second successive season, it’s all about closing this out on a high in front of their home fans for Loreto, and of course continuing good habits ahead of an exciting couple of weeks that includes the EuroHockey Club Trophy I, the EY Champions Trophy Finals Weekend and the AIG Irish Senior Cup. Old Alex sit in fifth but could leapfrog to fourth if they can cause an upset, and Ulster Elks fail to get a result at home to UCD.
Umpires: Rob Argent, Zoe Hall
UCD vs Railway Union
13:15 | Belfield Water
UCD host second place Railway Union as they look to end Railway’s eleven game unbeaten run in the league. Railway Union’s exceptional form continued a fortnight ago against Loreto where they inflicted their nearest rivals in the competition with their first loss in the last two seasons, perfect preparation ahead of the EuroHockey League during the Easter break. UCD on the other hand have almost completed their season turnaround, going from potential relegation to the Play-Offs in a matter of weeks. A win on Saturday would guarantee sixth, unless Pegasus can put a big score up against Catholic Institute in Rosbrien.
Umpires: Julie Fisher, Gillian Garrett
Catholic Institute vs Pegasus
13:15 | Rosbrien
With their Play-Off place secured and a home draw likely already locked in Catholic Institute will look to finish the league season with an unbeaten home record to give themselves momentum. They face visiting Pegasus who are fighting to retake sixth place from UCD having fallen out of the Play-Off places last weekend. It’s a big ask but with such a big prize on the line, Pegasus will make the trip to Rosbrien with plenty of fight in them.
Umpires: Malcolm Coombes, Ian Strange
Ulster Elks vs Pembroke Wanderers
13:15 | Jordanstown
Pembroke Wanderers have a final chance to sneak their way into the Play-Offs this Saturday when they face Ulster Elks, but they need Catholic Institute and Railway Union to do them a favour against Pegasus and UCD respectively. The Leinster club face Ulster Elks and will be full of confidence going into the tie having beaten Elks 4-1 when the sides last met in October 2024. Having said that, Ulster Elks have a Denman Shield title now under their belt, having beaten Portadown in the final last weekend, something that could jolt them back to their best, after a bit of a wobble in the league of late.
Umpires: Oli Brown, Aaron Saunders
UCC vs Ards
13:15 | The Mardyke
A final topflight outing for both sides this Saturday offers them both the opportunity to finish things off with a win. For UCC there is arguably mor to play for given the Cork college side have never recorded a win in the competition, and they will hope that home advantage will give them the extra edge. Ards will need to shake off the fatigue from the journey quickly in order to keep UCC at bay. Both sides have fought exceptionally valiantly making this last outing a tough one to call.
Umpires: Liz Clifford, Tanja Schaffer.
EY Hockey League Division 2 – Women
Quarter Finals
Corinthian vs Muckross
11:30 | St Columba’s College
Two very well-acquainted sides will meet once again this season, but this time for a chance at promotion to the EY Hockey League. Comparatively, Corinthian have enjoyed a stronger EYHL2 campaign so far, but Muckross were the only side to take points against Corinthian during the side’s provincial campaigns throwing this tie wide open. One thing is for sure, anything could happen.
Umpires: Paul Rainey, Michael Scott
Monkstown vs Lurgan
12:20 | Rathdown School
Having been pipped to an automatic place in the semi-finals by Portadown, Monkstown will now have to beat Lurgan in Saturday’s quarter final to be in with a shot of promotion back to the EYHL. Their opponents, Lurgan, have been a bit of a dark horse this season, quietly going about their business and picking up the necessary results to progress. They’ll need to step up another level if they are to get a result, but that’s well within their capabilities given they are among the top sides in Ulster at the minute.
Umpires: Ellie Duffy, Peter Urwin
Irish Hockey Challenge 2 Final – Women
Larne vs CI Ladies
12:00 | Stormont
Irish Hockey Challenge 1 Final – Women
Instonians vs Dungannon
14:00 | Stormont
Irish Junior Cup Final – Women
Catholic Institute vs Pembroke Wanderers
16:00 | Donabate
