Hockey Ireland announce EY champions trophy venue

Hockey Ireland is pleased to announce the venue for the EYHL Champions Trophy, as well as venues for the cup finals. The EYHL Trophy finals will return to Banbridge Hockey Club this summer, who have proved themselves highly capable and enthusiastic hosts, having previously hosted the EY Champions Trophy and EuroHockey League Round 1. Meanwhile the Cup Finals will be held in UCD, with the first of the Cup finals, the Irish Senior Cup, taking place on the 29^th March.

One of the closest EY Hockey Leagues in years, with the top of the Women’s table changing almost weekly at present, it is shaping up to see some exciting hockey being played in Havelock park.

2019 winners Pegasus, who also topped the EYHL League, snatched a dramatic victory with a 4-2 penalty shoot-out win over Loreto. With Loreto having dominated for long periods of the match, Siofra O’Brien put one past Loreto keeper Liz Murphy with just 5 minutes to go. The sides remained level at the final whistle taking them to a nail-biting shoot-out, which resulted in Pegasus taking home the EY Champions Trophy for the first time.

Pegasus’ victory means they will represent Ireland in the new EHL Women’s competition in 2020 at Easter in the top tier of European club competition, while Loreto will contest the EuroHockey Trophy. You can read all about last year’s action in the match report available at: https://www.hockey.ie/news-detail/10051265/

In the Men’s EY Hockey League, Three Rock Rovers claimed a third successive EY Champions Trophy last summer as they warded off regular season champions Lisnagarvey, 

Madeley delivered the opening goal of the game to give Three Rock Rovers a 1-0 half-time lead. Although James Milliken denied both Daragh Walsh and Mitch Darling from extending the lead, the killer blow came with 15 minutes to go when Ben Walker got underneath a long overhead which Garvey were pinged for encroaching on. You can read all about last year’s action in the match report available at: https://www.hockey.ie/news-detail/10051278/

Jo-Ann Little, President of Banbridge Hockey Club, said “We are delighted to be chosen as host for the 2020 EYHL finals.  Planning has already started for the event in May and we hope to once again showcase all that is good about our sport.  As always, we will be heavily reliant on our fantastic volunteers and we're looking forward to the weekend.”

Frank O’Keeffe, Managing Partner, EY Ireland said: “This league has been really exciting so far and we’re very much looking forward to the EYHL Champions Trophy Finals, which is always a great showcase of the fantastic talent in EYHL. I’m delighted EY’s sponsorship of the league continues to give players and clubs all over the country an opportunity to excel at their passion.”

The venue for the EYHL Division 2 Playoffs, remains to be confirmed. The decision regarding the venue for the EYHL2 Playoffs is expected in the coming week.