Women’s hockey preview: Loreto look to upset Pembroke

A month after winning the EY Hockey League for the first time, Pembroke Wanderers turn their attention to the second leg of a potential treble this weekend when they join Catholic Institute, Loreto and UCD in the line-up for the Champions Trophy in Banbridge.

Pembroke meet Institute, the team they pipped to the Hockey League title, in the Irish Senior Cup final on Saturday week but the two clubs could also square up in Sunday’s Champions Trophy decider if they can overcome Loreto and UCD, respectively, in their semi-finals.

The final standings in the Hockey League suggest that is the most likely pairing on Sunday, with Loreto back in fourth and UCD only making the top six on goal difference, but both “outsiders” carry impressive form in to the weekend.

Having won just four of their first 11 Hockey League games, Loreto finished the season with six wins and a draw from their last seven, maintaining that streak in Wednesday's quarter-final win over Old Alexandra, Yasmin Pratt getting the only goal of the game.

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They now face a Pembroke side that had to come from behind to beat them 2-1 back in February, so Loreto’s challenge won’t be taken lightly.

UCD, meanwhile, reached the last four of the Champions Trophy by beating Pegasus 1-0 in Belfast on Wednesday, Hannah McLoughlin, one of six current Irish internationals in their squad, their match-winner. They now face an Institute side that scored twice in the last 10 minutes of the teams’ Irish Senior Cup semi-final last month to win 2-1, pointing to another close encounter between the sides.

So far, UCD have been the only side to do the Hockey League, Champions Trophy and Irish Senior Cup treble, Gillian Pinder among the players who contributed to that success back in 2017. This weekend she captains Pembroke as they aim to continue their journey towards emulating that feat.

Champions Trophy (at Havelock Park) – Saturday – Semi-finals: Pembroke Wanderers v Loreto, 10.30; Catholic Institute v UCD, 12.30. Sunday – Final: 2.30.