MEN'S HOCKEY:WITH LISNAGARVEY the only side assured of a place in the semi-finals of the Irish Hockey League, which they will host, along with the final, over the May bank holiday weekend, six more teams will battle it out tomorrow in the final round of pool matches for the three remaining spots.
YMCA, four points clear of Annadale, and Church of Ireland, are favourites to join Lisnagarvey as qualifiers from Pool B, their 4-0 win over Pembroke Wanderers last weekend giving them the advantage.
A point from their home game against Three Rock Rovers would seal YMCA’s place in the last four, with Annadale and Church of Ireland, who meet at Lough Moss, needing a sizeable favour from Rovers – while at the same time taking a bonus-points win from their game and overturning YMCA’s goal difference advantage (they are seven clear of both Annadale and Church of Ireland).
If the odds are stacked in YMCA’s favour to go through with Lisnagarvey, it’s too close to call in Pool A where Banbridge and Monkstown are tied on 10 points, three behind Cookstown, with an identical goal difference.
A defeat by more than a goal for Cookstown away to Instonians, combined with bonus-points wins for Banbridge (away to Glenanne) and Monkstown (at home to Cork Harlequins) would see them miss out, but as one of only two unbeaten teams in the competition so far this season, along with Lisnagarvey, they’ll be confident enough of stretching that streak.
Cookstown also have the safety net of a superior goal difference (by six) over both Banbridge and Monkstown, so should they finish level on points with either team they’d be well placed to go through – unless, of course, there’s a significant turnaround in the goals department tomorrow.
Barring that, it’ll be Cookstown and one from Banbridge and Monkstown from Pool A – it’s going to be a nervy afternoon for all concerned.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Tomorrow– Irish Hockey League Pool A: Glenanne v Banbridge, Glenanne Park, 4.0; Monkstown v Cork Harlequins, Rathdown, 4.0; Instonians v Cookstown, Shawsbridge, 4.0. Pool B: Annadale v Church of Ireland, Lough Moss, 2.0; Lisnagarvey v Pembroke Wanderers, Comber Road, 2.0; YMCA v Three Rock Rovers, Claremont Road, 2.0.
Sunday– Irish Junior Cup final: Corinthian v Cookstown, Belfield, 3.30.
