Friday, December 12, 2008

Irish Hockey Challenge tips off as IHT reaches business end

This weekend sees the first round of the newly inaugurated Irish Hockey Challenge tip off around the country - a new competition for junior men's and women's clubs. On the men's side, Leinster has four entrants.

Division 5's SBPP have been in decent form this term with former Glenanne player and Dublin football legend Dessie Farrell banging in the corners at North Kildare last weekend. They travel to Omagh for their first round tie. Mullingar, with Woody O'Neill and Ed Lindsay as the centre-back pairing, welcome PSNI while St James's Gate travel to East Antrim. Portrane have a bye.

On the women's side, the newly formed Monkstown - led by Suzi Murray - have been awarded a walkover against Bangor while YMCA are also into the second round hat courtesy of a bye. Phoenix Park and Naas, though, both face tricky road trips.

The third round of the Irish Hockey Trophy also takes place. Rowland Rixon-Fuller's Muckross go to Ballymena while Newbridge - bouyed by news on the pitch front - host Priorians in Naas. Three Rock, meanwhile, will hope Suzanne Mellon and Brigid Charmant can keep firing at Grange Road against Bandon.

The men's IHT has reached the real business end with winners on Saturday not only getting a final four spot but also a place in the Irish Senior Cup draw. Suttonians are the last of the Leinster sides remaining and Nasir Munir's side have the conquerors of Weston, Catholic Institute in their path.

ESB Irish Hockey Trophy – ROUND 3 (Saturday)
Ulster Elks v Carrickfergus, 1pm, UUJ; Ballymena v Muckross, 2.30pm, Showgrounds; Newbridge v Priorians, 1.30pm, St Mary’s Naas; Cookstown v Wexford, 11am, Cookstown HS, Genesis v Dromore, 2.30pm, UCD; Ashton v QUB, 12.30pm, Ashton School; Three Rock v Bandon, 1.30pm, Grange Road; Waterford v Cath Institute, 2pm, Newtown School

Men’s Irish Hockey Trophy – ROUND 3 (Saturday)
South Antrim v North Down, 2.30pm, Laurelhill; Antrim v Kilkeel, 2.30pm, Antrim Forum; Suttonians v Cath Inst, 12pm, Sutton Park; NICS v UCC, 2.30pm, Stormont

ESB Irish Hockey Challenge – ROUND 1 (Saturday)
Grovesnor v Phoenix Park, 2.30pm, CIYMS; Newry v Naas, 1pm, Newry Olympic; Renmore v Derg Valley, 2pm, Mervue; Limerick v Greenfields II, 1.30pm, Villiers; Clonmel v Enniscorthy, 2.30pm, Tipperary Town; Kilkenny II v Mallow, 2.45pm, Kilkenny College; Midleton v Wexford II, TBC; Dungarvan v Gorey, 2pm, Priory College; Athlone v Enniskillen, TBC; Monkstown w/o Bangor scr
(Sunday) Tipperary v Mullingar, 2.30pm, Tipp Sports Complex
Byes to Round 2: Athy, Fermoy, Newcastle, Raphoe, YMCA

Men’s Irish Hockey Challenge – ROUND 1 (Saturday)
Omagh v SBPP, 1pm, Youth Sports; Ballymena v Saintfield, 1pm, Ballymena; Mullingar v PSNI, 1.30pm, Loreto Mullingar; Limerick v Down, 3pm, Villiers; East Antrim v St James Gate, 1pm, Paisley Park; Campbellians v Parkview, 1pm, Campbell College
Byes to Round 2: Portrane, Portrush

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

just heard that the esb irish hockey trophy game Cookstown v Wexford has been called off.