Women’s EY Hockey League Fixtures – Saturday, November 9
IN this weekend’s Women’s EY Hockey League, Railway Union travel to Ards with the hopes of building on last week’s crucial win. Loreto face another test to maintain their unbeaten record as they face a stubborn Pegasus side. UCC and Catholic Institute will both hope to recover from last weekend’s losses but face tough opposition in Old Alex and Ulster Elks respectively. And Pembroke host UCD, with the chance to put some distance between them and the relegation zone up for grabs.
On Sunday, the Girls’ Inter Provincial Series Finals take centre stage as Leinster Take on Ulster in both the U16 and U18 Finals in Monkstown Hockey Club.
CATHOLIC INSTITUTE v ULSTER ELKS
(Rosbrien 12.45pm)
It’s third vs fourth is what is likely the game of the round in the Women’s EYHL as Catholic Institute host Ulster Elks. Institute faltered last week, losing out to Pembroke in Serpentine Avenue which saw them behind Old Alex in the standings. Similarly, Ulster Elks suffered a narrow defeat to Railway Union. With third place on the line, and potentially even second depending on the results elsewhere, this game is going to be a feisty affair!
Umpires: Julie Beamish, Liz Clifford
UCC v OLD ALEX
(The Mardyke 1.00pm)
After a run of three straight bonus point draws the Cork students were unfortunately brought back down to earth, and bottom of the table by UCD. This weekend’s game is likely to offer another significant challenge as second place Old Alex make the journey to the Mardyke. Both sides are in need of points, but for very different reasons. Old Alex will continue to try to close the gap to leaders Loreto, while UCC need them as they fight for survival. We wouldn’t rule anything out here.
Umpires: Fiona Davitt, Eimear Linehan
ARDS v RAILWAY UNION
(Londonderry Park 2.30pm)
Injury ravaged Railway are likely to still be without the services of Katie Mullan and Sarah Hawkshaw this weekend as they attempt to build on last week’s victory. They face an Ards side whose form in front of goal has dipped since their opening games where they seemed to be finding the net almost for fun. And for Ards this weekend will pose another attacking challenge as they will have to try break down a Railway defense marshalled by the peerless Patton sisters, who as a unit don’t give up many opportunities in front of goal.
Umpires: Linda Coughlan, Patrick Wright
PEMBROKE v UCD
(Serpentine Avenue 2.30pm)
Another matchup between teams of a similar rank, eighth place UCD visit seventh place Pembroke in what will be something of a reunion for a cohort of Pembroke players who made the move over from Belfield this summer. Despite both sides sitting in the bottom half, recent form would suggest that things are starting to click for both following slower than ideal starts to their campaigns. And with the gap from second to tenth being separated by just seven points, every side is still very much in the conversation for those coveted EY Champions Trophy places. This week, however, the focus for both sides will be to build momentum and continue those incremental improvements, so expect a tactical battle to ensue in Ballsbridge.
Umpires: Ellie Duffy, Sarah Craig
PEGASUS v LORETO
(Queen’s University 4.15pm)
Loreto have looked close to unbeatable so far this season, with Catholic Institute the only side so far to disrupt their charge. Pegasus, though, boast a commendable record in the competition to date, recording just one loss from 7, and conceding only twice in their last three games. Loreto certainly can’t take their foot of the gas going into this game if they plan to extend their unbeaten record by another week.
Umpires: Zoe Hall, Aaron Saunders
STANDINGS
Loreto – 20pts
Old Alex – 13pts
Catholic Institute – 12pts
Ulster Elks – 11pts
Pegasus – 11pts
Railway Union – 9pts
Pembroke Wanderers – 9pts
UCD – 7pts
Ards – 7pts
UCC – 6pts
Girls Inter Provincial Series Finals – Sunday, November 10
On Sunday, the Finals of the 2024 Girls Inter Provincial Series will take place as Ulster take on Leinster in both the U16 and U18 competition.
In both pool stages Leinster topped the group, maintaining an unbeaten record while Ulster secured their spots in the final having come second. Leinster will arguably enter both finals as the more confident side, given they beat Ulster during the group stages, but anything can happen on finals day!
Both finals will take place in Monkstown Hockey Club on Sunday, November 10 with the U16 Final taking place at 13:30, followed by the U18 Final at 15:30. Purchase your tickets now to watch the Girls Inter Provincial Series Finals from the sidelines or grab a Game Pass or Season pass to watch live or on-demand on Hockey Ireland TV.
Ulster U16s celebrate reaching the Inter Provincial final
Portadown HC have no fewer than 15 players in the Ulster U16 and U18 sides (above and below)
