Lisnagarvey seal their semi-final spot

HOCKEYLISNAGARVEY BECAME the first side to seal their place in the semi-finals of the Irish Hockey League on Saturday, two goals from Timmy Cockram helping them to a 4-2 victory over Annadale that ensured them a top-two finish in their pool.

YMCA are well placed to join them in the last four after their 4-0 bonus-point win over Pembroke Wanderers, Marcus Richardson, Ian McHugh, Richard Pedreschi and Phil Powderly getting their goals. Annadale are now four points behind YM, so only a bonus-point victory over Church of Ireland next week, combined with YM losing at home to Three Rock Rovers, would see them take second in the pool. C of I are in the same position as Annadale, four points adrift of YM.

Only three teams are still in contention for a top-two finish in pool A, Cookstown, Banbridge and Monkstown. Banbridge had an epic 6-5 triumph over Instonians on Saturday. Cookstown moved three points clear at the top with a 5-0 win away to Cork Harlequins, with Monkstown beating Glenanne. Needing a bonus point to keep their hopes alive, Glenanne took their goalkeeper off when they were 3-2 up in the last quarter, but paid dearly, losing 4-3.

Meanwhile, in women’s hockey, Hermes, last season’s beaten finalists, became the first side to make it through to the semi-finals of the Irish Hockey League on Saturday, their 3-0 defeat of Catholic Institute making it four wins in as many pool games.

For the other contenders, though, it all goes down to next weekend’s final round of pool matches.

While Institute still have a mathematical chance of finishing in the top two of pool A, it’s more likely to be Pegasus or UCD who go through to the last four, with Loreto, Railway Union and Ballymoney vying for a top two finish in pool B.

UCD’s scoreless draw at home to Old Alexandra, combined with a 3-0 win over Armagh for Pegasus, saw the defending champions move a point clear of the students in to second place, but both sides have tricky final fixtures, Pegasus at home to Hermes and UCD away to Institute.

In pool B a late equaliser from Ali Meeke against Railway ensured Loreto held on to top spot by a point, with Ballymoney now just another point behind Railway after beating Lurgan 5-0. Those results set up an intriguing – and nervy – conclusion to the pool next weekend, with Ballymoney hosting Loreto and Railway away to Cork Harlequins.