This weekend the first round of fixtures for the 2025 EY Hockey League Division 2 is set to take place, with 10 Men’s and 10 Women's clubs battling it out for promotion to the EY Hockey League, Ireland’s premier hockey division. The teams will be split into two pools, with the top three sides in both pools progressing to the play-offs. Winners of the semi-finals will automatically gain promotion, with the winner of the finals being crowned EYHL2 Champions.
The University of Galway will be at home for their opening match in Pool B with Corinthian the visitors to Dangan on Saturday afternoon. UG will be eager to make their mark as they prioritize growth and consistency under coach Damien Kelly. Corinthian, Leinster champions and last season’s EYHL competitors, boast an attacking edge through players like Hollai Quinn which they hope will help lift them back to the top division. Push back is at 2.30.
Pool B promises to be very competitive. Queen’s will look to captain Jenna McCarlie and Ireland U21 International Eva Gaston to drive their bid for promotion. First-time entrants Ashton bring fresh ambition with a squad featuring Ireland Pathway players, while Lurgan, building on a quarter-final finish last season, aim to break new ground with a mix of youth and experience.
Pool A features a fascinating mix of seasoned contenders and ambitious newcomers. Munster champions Cork Harlequins, led by experienced player-coaches Cliodhna Sargent and Yvonne O’Byrne, are early favorites to exit the group along with former EYHL side Monkstown who bring valuable top-flight experience and a strong roster featuring Irish international Chloe Watkins. Alongside them is newcomers Portadown, who enter their first EYHL2 campaign as Ulster Premier League leaders, with an impressive group of young talent at their disposal.
Meanwhile, Muckross Hockey Club, boasting Ireland U18 stars Amelia Ryan and Daisy Costello, will aim to go one better than last season's near-miss at a pay-off berth. Connacht’s Greenfields Hockey Club complete the Pool A lineup, as they hope their league experience will help them build on a promising campaign last year.
In the Men’s Competition, Pool A is finely poised. Current Munster league leaders Bandon bring a mix of youth and experience as they aim to progress beyond their previous play-off appearances. Under player-coach Alistair Smith, this Munster side, anchored by talents like Clinton Sweetnam and Harry McCourt, promise to be a difficult side to beat, particularly on their home turf in West Cork. Cookstown, a team with a storied past including a 2011 Irish Senior Cup, look like strong contenders once again. Captain Jack Haycock leads a squad that includes midfield maestro Mark Crooks and the explosive Scott McCabe, as they aim to build on last season’s narrow semi-final loss and regain EYHL1 status.
Cork Church of Ireland, ever-present in the competition since its inception, enter the fray under the leadership of former Ireland international Jonny Bruton. With a blend of experienced campaigners like Ian Balding and rising stars like Rob Olen and Gearoid Cashman, C of I will aim to go further than their quarter-final appearance last season.
Newcomers Kilkenny Hockey Club are the group’s unknown quantity, bringing a combination of seasoned players like Billy McEnery and developing talents such as Kyle Handcock. With a reputation for causing upsets in Leinster competitions, Kilkenny will look to make a strong impression in their debut campaign. Rounding out Pool A, Railway Union, a side with consistent play-off appearances, will hope that their unbeaten run in Leinster Division 1 and the return of key players like Mark English can finally see them achieve promotion.
In Pool B, Clontarf Hockey Club, bolstered by the experience of the likes of Sam Grace and Tim Cullen, and a midseason Neville Cup victory, look poised for a serious promotion push in their fourth EYHL2 campaign. Fellow Dubliners, Portrane, return for their second season in the competition with a well-balanced squad featuring key players like Ross Hetem, Anthony Glutz, former Pakistan international Imran Khan and young Noa Mulvey. With strong form in Leinster, they aim to translate that success into a play-off berth. Munster’s Cork Harlequins, led by coach Denis Pritchard, come into the competition as one of the favorites, boasting prolific goal-scorer Julian Dale and a midfield duo of Sam Dale and Sean Curtin, who represent Ireland's future talent.
The Ulster contingent is equally formidable, with Kilkeel and Instonians both returning to the competition. Kilkeel, energized by the breakout seasons of youngsters Taylor McConnell and David Hamilton, are eager to make their mark after a year’s absence. Instonians, under new head coach Adam Louden, combine experienced players like with top young talents such as Matthew McAreavey and Michael Hollway to mount a challenge for immediate promotion back to EYHL1.
EY Hockey League Division 2 – Round 1 Fixtures
Men’s - Pool A
Railway Union vs Kilkenny – 13:30 | Park Avenue
Cork Church of Ireland vs Bandon – 14:00 | Garryduff
Men’s Pool B
Portrane vs Clontarf – 14:00 | Donabate Leisure Centre
Women’s Pool A
Monkstown vs Cork Harlequins – 12:20 | Rathdown School
Portadown vs Muckross – 15:00 | Portadown
Women’s Pool B
Queens University vs Lurgan – 12:30 | Queens University
University of Galway vs Corinthian – 14:30 | Dangan