Irish Hockey League

The Men’s Irish Hockey League will progress through to round 4 this weekend as they race towards the end in a bid to secure one of the four coveted semi final spots on May 15th in Three Rock Rovers, Grange Road.

Firstly looking to Pool A following their experience in the last 16 of the EHL in Rotterdam at Easter Pembroke return, after a short and refreshing break to a vital IHL fixture at home to Corinthian on Saturday. Pembroke are in pursuit of successive IHL titles and Corinthian are well placed in Pool A, in second place, and only 3 points behind unbeaten Pembroke so this is a crucial match to both.
Corinthian will be very confident having got the better of Pembroke in their two Leinster League fixtures albeit by narrow margins; the first time they have achieved this for many seasons. However, since this rare defeat at home Pembroke have gone on to win the Leinster League by 1 point from Corinthian who are to be congratulated for this for this fine achievement and their overall performances this season. A very close game is anticipated although the greater experience of Pembroke with a squad of experienced International and Interprovincial players as well as home advantage may just tip the scales in their favour.

Next in Pool A Monkstown line up against Banbridge with nothing to play for but pride and with a 6-0 drubbing at the hands of Banbridge in last seasons IHL still in the minds of many of the players Monkstown will be very keen to exact revenge for that alone. This game will very much act as a practice game prior to Monkstown’s ISC semi against Annadale with starting places up for grabs many of the town players have something to prove. The town will go into the game as underdogs as Banbridge who are placed third nipping at Corinthian’s heels will be keen to leapfrog into second position if they can secure three points this weekend.

The final match in Pool A takes place on Sunday when Instonians welcome Cork Harlequins after what will be a long trip to Ulster. But Harlequins will be buoyed by the fact that ex international Jason black will return to action after he sustained an injury in the third round of the ISC, but they will have to compensate for the lack of Eddie Dore in their squad who is in the middle of exams. Harlequins & Instonians played two very exciting matches last season with Harlequins winning the ISC match in Belfast with an extra time golden goal and the IHL match in Cork ending in a high scoring 4-4 draw, so this is no doubt going to be a tasty affair.

Over to Pool B and Church of Ireland and Cookstown meet this weekend in Garryduff with both sides looking to put some pressure on the top two in advance of the final round of matches. Cookstown and Church of Ireland sit third and fourth respectively in Pool B with Church of Ireland come into the match off the back of a 3-1 victory over Bandon last weekend which saw them retain the Munster Senior League trophy.

Church of Ireland will be at near full strength despite still missing Irish international net minder Mark Ruddle through injury. In his absence Billy Lynch has been in outstanding form, earning a call up to the Irish training camp in the process. The stakes are high this week as the loser can wave goodbye to any chance of making the last four, which should make for an enthralling encounter.

Elsewhere Glenanne will open the gates to St Mark’s School for the travelling Lisnagarvey at 3pm this Saturday in what is going to be a mouth watering match. Lisnagarvey are currently top of the table on 10 points and will be keen to keep their perfect record in tact when they face the might of Glenanne who are just two points a drift on 8. Both will be keen to secure their foothold at the top of the table before they race into Round 5 which is set for May 1st.

Pool B wraps up on Sunday at 2.30 when Three Rock Rovers make the trip to Annadale. Both sides have yet to record their first win in this tournament sitting in 5th and 6th place respectively, so pride is at stake all though Three Rock are still trying to cope with the loss of a number of players since Christmas.

Pool A
Saturday 17th April
Pembroke W  v Corinthian  15.00 (Serpentine Ave)
Monkstown  v Banbridge  16.00 (Rathdown)
Sunday 18th April
Instonians  v Cork HQ  13.00 (Shawsbridge)

Pool B
Saturday 17th April
Cork C of I  v Cookstown  15.00 (Garryduff)
Glenanne  v Lisnagarvey  15.00 (St Marks School)
Sunday 18th April
Annadale  v Three Rock  14.30 (Lough Moss)

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2010/2011 Season - Press & News

Preview for Round 4 Men's Irish Hockey League.

14 April 2010