EYHL WOMEN’S DIVISION 1
RAILWAY UNION 1 LORETO 1
This top-of-the-table clash could potentially have crowned the new champions of the EYHL Women’s Division 1 had Loreto managed to maintain their 100% record by winning this game at Park Avenue. However, Railway Union can claim the distinction of forcing Loreto to drop their first two points of the season and in so doing postpone their ascent to the throne, as it were, for another week at least.
The game was a little slow to get going early on and that might have been due to what was at stake. Loreto will no doubt be crowned champions eventually, but Railway Union did take a step towards claiming second spot in the table and the second bye to the semi-final of the Champions Trophy play offs, which will take place as soon as the regular League campaign ends. Loreto probably shaded the first half in terms of scoring opportunities, but they capitalized on the first penalty corner they were awarded in the match, with Sarah Torrans scoring in the 25th minute to give the league leaders a 1-0 lead. The game got more energy almost straightaway and while Loreto led 1-0 at half time the closing minutes of the first half had a lot more incident than the previous 24. Railway created more chances. Sarah Patton almost scored following a penalty corner and the parsimonious Loreto defence got in telling blocks as well as goalkeeper Liz Murphy whose saves helped preserve Loreto's lead. Both sides had key figures absent.
For Railway Union, the experienced Holly Jenkinson remains side-lined with a broken hand, but they did welcome Katie Mullan back to action following international duty alongside colleagues Sarah Hawkshaw, Niamh and Michelle Carey. Loreto were minus former international Hannah Mathews who is side-lined following a cut eyebrow that required stitches. Despite these losses their replacements stood tall, and the second half was very engaging. There were incidents in both goalmouths, and it was no surprise when Railway Union equalised through Lily Lloyd in the 55th minute. Railway Union pressed ahead in search of a winner but the next time the ball hit the backboard Síofra O'Brien's effort was disallowed. The game ended with both sides getting a share of the spoils, but Railway Union took an important step towards clinching a bye to the playoffs semi-final.
RAILWAY UNION: Emma Buckley, Sarah Patton, Orla Patton, Orla Fox, Katie Fearon, Niamh Shaw, Sarah Hawkshaw, Michelle Carey, Emma Smyth (C), Niamh Carey, Lisa McCarthy, Aebhfinn Bourke, Jenny Long, Lily Lloyd, Saoirse Griffin, Katie Mullan
LORETO: Liz Murphy, Ella Pasley, Aisling Murray, Lisa Mulcahy, Katie Dunne, Síofra O'Brien, Mia Jennings (C), Grace McLoughlin, Caitlin Sherin, Yasmin Pratt, Caoimhe Perdue, Sarah Torrans, Grace Donald, Christina Hamill, Hannah McLoughlin, Rachel Kelly
EYHL WOMEN'S DIVISION 2 POOL A
CORK HARLEQUINS 6 BELFAST HARLEQUINS 2
In the battle of the Harlequins the Munster women secured bragging rights with a comfortable win at Harlequins Park. Michelle Barry opened the scoring from open play in the 2nd minute. She made it 2-0 for Cork Harlequins with another goal in the 4th minute. Beth Anne O'Farrell added a third goal in the 5th minute. Rachel O'Shea scored a fourth in the 25th minute. Beth Anne O'Farrell got her second of the match in the 32nd minute for Cork. Belfast Harlequins trailed 5-0 at half-time. But they began strongly in the second half and two goals in the 40th and 45th minutes by Jennifer McAuley cut the deficit to three as Cork led 5-2. Emma Cripps' 57th minute penalty corner for Cork left the Munster women 6-2 up at full time.
GREENFIELDS 2 AVOCA 4
Caro Theunisz opened the scoring for the visitors at Dangan in the 8th minute. Anna Richardson made it 2-0 to Avoca in the 25th minute. Ellie Browne got the hosts on the scoresheet with a goal in the 28th minute and a third Avoca goal in the 30th minute by Lauren Tracey from a converted penalty corner left the Dubliners 3-1 up at half-time. Alice Keogh scored for Greenfields to reduce the deficit to a single goal in the 46th minute but Sarah Gardiner's 66th minute goal was enough to secure the win for Avoca by 4-2.
EYHL WOMEN'S DIVISION 2 POOL B
MUCKROSS 2 UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK 2
Nancy Browne opened the scoring for Muckross in the 14th minute from open play. Robyn Murphy equalised for UCC in the 30th minute to make it 1-1 at half time. Daisy Costello gave Muckross the lead in the 44th minute and Jane Murphy equalised for the visitors in the 53rd minute, converting a penalty corner to make the final score 2-2.
ARDS 3 LURGAN 1
Lydia McNeill opened the scoring for the visitors at Londonderry Park in only the 3rd minute. 1-0 to Lurgan. Ellen Robinson scored in the 14th minute to level matters. She got her second of the match in the 31st minute to give Ards a 2-1 lead. They sealed the win when Naomi Grundie converted a penalty corner in the 50th minute sealing a 3-1 win.
Report sourced from Hockey Ireland
