Reds confirmed for EYHL2 semi-finals as Naas make big move
Corinthian became the first team to confirm their place in the semi-finals of EYHL Division 2 as they ran up their sixth successive win in Pool A, beating NUIG 5-1.
Amber Kinlan put them in pole position from the outset with a second minute goal and she then helped created another for Nicola Torrans at the back post for a 2-0 lead.
NUIG pulled one back via Sinead Minihan before the end of the first quarter but the buffer was back in place when Cilia Holderman assisted Jodie Douglas for 3-1 at half-time.
Jessica McGrane finished between her legs for goal four and Niamh Walsh completed the win from a tight angle in the final quarter.
Chasers Lurgan and Trinity, meanwhile, shared a 1-1 draw which leaves them both 10 points back as their game just about got the go-ahead. After initial Lurgan pressure, it was Trinity who went in front in the second quarter via Ailish Long before Julie Morrow equalised soon after half-time.
Pitch clearing at Lurgan, 5 minutes to start @Lurganladies_hc @DULHC @UlsterHockey @EY_Ireland @irishhockey @FLACKEROOS @nigelringland pic.twitter.com/Ewi24xT7sr
— Lurgan Ladies HC (@Lurganladies_hc) February 15, 2020
And the Ulster side hung on to parity in the closing minutes when they survived four penalty corners for Trinity. Lurgan have the edge on goal difference in the battle for the second place in the group but have played an extra game which could be vital.
Both games in Pool B were postponed due to Storm Dennis with UCC against Ards and Greenfields’ tie with Monkstown succumbing to the weather.
In Leinster Division One, meanwhile, Naas made the big jump up to fifth place thanks to Clara Chamberlayne’s lovely finish from a penalty corner for a 1-0 win over Rathgar in tough conditions.
North Kildare and Genesis shared a scoreless draw as the former made it 10 points from the last 12; the two sides ended the weekend in a share of seventh place on 11 points.
Avoca and Glenanne called a halt to their tie in the second quarter with the score at 1-1 – it means more work for the Avoca match secretary who has had their work cut-out this term with a wealth of refixes.
Corinthian face Monkstown on Monday evening where a win for the Whitechurch Park hosts would put them 10 points clear at the top and ever closer to the title.
The first Jacqui Potter Cup semi-final was abandoned at half-time amid hail, thunder and lightning at Beaufort – it was 1-1 at the time. The second semi-final is due on Monday night between Pembroke and Old Alex at 8.45pm.
Women’s EYHL Division 2
Pool A: Corinthian 5 (A Kinlan, N Torrans, J Douglas, J McGrane, N Walsh) NUIG 1 (S Minihan); Lurgan 1 (J Morrow) Trinity 1 (A Long)
Pool B: UCC v Ards; Greenfields v Monkstown – both postponed due to Storm Dennis
Leinster Division 1: North Kildare 0 Genesis 0; Rathgar 0 Naas 1 (C Chamberlayne); Avoca v Glenanne – match abandoned in second quarter at 1-1
Monday: Corinthian v Monkstown, Whitechurch Park, 8.15pm
Jacqui Potter Cup semi-final: Loreto v UCD, abandoned at 1-1 due to hailstorm
Monday: Pembroke v Old Alex, Serpentine Avenue, 8.45pm