The Men’s & ESB Electric Ireland’s Irish Senior Cup is set to take centre stage this weekend (Saturday 8th October) across 17 venues, which means the top flight branch hockey will take a back seat for the moment.
Firstly to the men and this round throws up some interesting contests first out of the traps Pembroke Wanderers will take on Clontarf, Pembroke last won this title in 2009 but since then have seen a big change in the team line up but under Brendan Carolan they will no doubt be keen to progress far in this tournament. Monkstown will kick off their ISC campaign at 13.30 on home turf playing hosts to Fingal, Monkstown, last year’s runners up, have faired excellently in this Cup making three of the last four finals but have only walked away with silver but keep an eye on this team it could be their year.
Elsewhere Corinthian under Lucas Piccioli will take to the road to face NICS while the students of UCC will make their way to the impressive grounds of Lisnagarvey for a 14.30 tip off. With plenty of other round 1 matches taking place 7 teams will enjoy a bye to round 2 including last year’s winners Cookstown.
On to the women which throws up 8 fixtures. Late entry Three Rock Rovers (who took the place of Bray who dropped out of Leinster division 1) will have to take on the might of Pegasus, last year’s winners, a big ask for the ladies of Three Rock Rovers. UCD students who have seen an influx of talent this year including internationals Anna O’Flanagan and Deirdre Duke are looking very strong as they head to Cork Harlequins at 13.30. Lurgan who have risen in the ranks recently and as a result qualified for the IHL this year will host their Ulster counterparts Ulster Elks at 14.30. Eight teams have been given byes including last year’s runners ups Hermes.
All results will be press released and updated on the website www.hockey.ie
The 2nd Round Draw will be done at approximately 4.30 in Cork Harlequins all are welcome to attend.
Men’s Round 1 Irish Senior Cup
Saturday 8th October
Pembroke W v Clontarf 13.00 (Serpentine Avenue)
Instonians v North Down 13.00 (Shaws Bridge)
Monkstown v Fingal 13.30 (Rathdown)
NICS v Corinthian 14.30 (NICS)
Belfast HQ v Kilkeel 14.30 (Deramore Park)
Lisnagarvey v UCC 14.30 (Hillsborough)
Annadale v YMCA 14.30 (Lough Moss)
Railway U v South Antrim 14.45 (Park Avenue)
Bandon v UCD 15.00 (Bandon Grammar)
Byes: Cork Church of Ireland, Cork Harlequins, Banbridge, Cookstown, Mossley, Glenanne, Three Rock Rover
ESB Electric Ireland Round 1 Irish Senior Cup (w)
Saturday 8th October
Armagh v UCC 13.00 (Orchard RC)
Queens Uni v Randalstown 13.00 (Queens)
Cork HQ v UCD 13.30 (Harlequins Park)
Lurgan v Ulster Elks 14.30 (Lurgan Junior HS)
Lisnagarvey v Loreto 14.30 (Hillsborough)
Ards v Dublin University 14.45 (Ards)
Three Rock R v Pegasus 15.00 (Grange Road)
Pembroke W v Old Alex 15.00 (Serpentine Avenue)
Byes: Ballymoney, Belfast Harlequins, Portadown, Catholic Institute, Corinthian, Glenanne, Hermes, Railway Union.
BRANCH LEAGUE FIXTURES – DIVISION 1 / PREMIER
As this week sees most Ladies and Men’s teams in action in the Irish Senior Cup there is only one Leinster League game scheduled. Corinthian host Railway Union on Saturday at 2.15 in the ladies. With one point from four games, Corinthian will be hoping that home advantage will help them overcome a Railway team who have 5 points from three games.
Leinster Women – Division 1
Saturday 8th October
Corinthian v Railway Union 14.15 (Whitechurch)
The two top teams in the South East Women’s league for the past number of years face each other again in what is always a fascinating encounter. Wexford have remained league and cup champions for the last two years and Kilkenny are hoping to end their run this season. Kilkenny lost their opening match against Carlow so are desperately looking to pick up 3 points in order to stay within reach of Wexford 1sts, who go into this match unbeaten in their opening league match.
Enniscorthy who finished 3rd in the league last year having only lost 5 matches kick off their league campaign against Wexford 2nds who have already suffered defeat in their opening league match. Enniscorthy who narrowly missed out on the Division 2 cup last season will be hoping to get back to their winning ways on Sunday.
South East Women – Division 1
Sunday 9th October
Wexford v Kilkenny 12.00 (Bellefield Enniscorthy)
Enniscorthy v Wexford 2 TBC (Bellefield Enniscorthy)
Source: Irish Hockey Association