It’s a packed weekend of hockey action as both Cork Church of Ireland men and Catholic Institute women face double headers in the EYHL 1, while the Munster senior leagues finally get underway after a delayed start.
Cork Church of Ireland men’s team will be looking to bounce back after a narrow 2–1 home defeat to YMCA last weekend. They now face a challenging trip north, starting with a clash against Banbridge—widely regarded as one of the best teams in the country—followed by a Sunday fixture against Cookstown, where they’ll be hoping to pick up points.
Catholic Institute’s women’s side also suffered an opening loss, falling to defending champions Loreto. Their weekend begins with a visit to Queens University on Saturday, followed by a tough test against Pegasus on Sunday. With two away fixtures, the Limerick side will be eager to find form over the weekend to kickstart their campaign.
Meanwhile, the Munster senior leagues begin after a one-week delay caused by a shortage of volunteers to fill key roles within the Munster Branch. The men’s competition sees a new format this season, with nine teams competing in Division 1 until a mid-season split in the new year. Midleton makes its debut at this level after years in Division 2, and all eyes will be on how they adapt to the step up. Harlequins are tipped as early favourites but won’t begin their campaign until next week.
On the women’s side, the return of University College Cork to Division 1 after a season in EYHL 1 adds extra spice to the title race. UCC and Harlequins are expected to be the main contenders. UCC starts their season away to Cork Church of Ireland, while Harlequins travel to Waterford in what promises to be a competitive game against the team that finished second last term.
Saturday 20th September 2025
Men – EYHL Division 1: Banbridge vs Cork Church of Ireland, Havelock Park, 2.45pm; Lisnagarvey vs Corinthians, Lisnagarvey HC, 2.00pm; Monkstown vs Three Rock Rovers, Rathdown School, 12.20pm; Pembroke Wanderers vs Cookstown, Pembroke Wanderers HC, 2.30pm; YMCA vs Avoca, Wesley College, 1.15pm.
Men – Munster Division 1: Bandon vs Cork Harlequins B, Bandon Grammar School, 3.00pm; Cork Church of Ireland B vs Bandon B, Garryduff, 12.00pm; Midleton vs Catholic Institute, Midleton College, 3.00pm.
Women – EYHL Division 1: Loreto vs Railway Union, Loreto Beaufort High School, 1.15pm; Queens University vs Catholic Institute, Malone Playing Fields, 2.30pm; Ulster Elks vs Pegasus, University of Ulster Jordanstown, 1.00pm; University College Dublin vs Portadown, Belfield, 1.00pm.
Women – Munster Division 1: Ashton vs Bandon, Ashton School, 2.00pm; Catholic Institute 2 vs Crescent, Rosbrien, 12.30pm; Cork Church of Ireland vs University College Cork, Garryduff, 2.00pm; Waterford vs Cork Harlequins, Newtown School, 12.00pm.
Sunday 21st September 2025
Men – EYHL Division 1: Banbridge vs YMCA, Havelock Park, 2.30pm; Cookstown vs Cork Church of Ireland, Cookstown HC, 12.45pm; Corinthians vs Three Rock Rovers, Whitechurch Park, 3.45pm; Monkstown vs Lisnagarvey, Rathdown School, 2.30pm; Pembroke Wanderers vs Avoca, Pembroke Wanderers HC, 3.00pm.
Women – EYHL Division 1: Loreto vs University College Dublin, Loreto Beaufort High School, 4.30pm; Pegasus vs Catholic Institute, Queens University, 12.30pm; Pembroke Wanderers vs Ulster Elks, Pembroke Wanderers HC, 1.00pm; Portadown vs Railway Union, Edenvilla SC, 3.00pm; Queens University vs Old Alexandra, Malone Playing Fields, 2.30pm.