THE DRAW for Round 1 of the Irish Senior Cup took place this week at Hockey Ireland offices. Both the men’s and women’s competitions are rich in history, and date from 1894 and 1903 respectively.
On the women’s side, last year’s winners Ulster Elks go in search of their third Irish Senior Cup in a row but a tough task faces them in the form of Railway Union in their opening fixture. Elks are in the midst of a rebuilding period having lost several key players but the experience of Shirley McCay, the most capped female in Irish hockey history, will be crucial for them. Railway looks a relatively unchanged side with familiar stalwarts like Emma Smyth and Kate Dillon leading the charge alongside the talented young Carey twins, Michelle and Niamh.
Last year’s mens Irish Senior Cup winners Monkstown received a bye into the second round while their fellow 2015/2016 finalists Lisnagarvey must travel to Pembroke in the only clash of EYHL teams in the men’s draw. Lisnagarvey will surely be feeling confident coming off the back of last seasons’ EY Hockey League and EY Champions Trophy victories, not to mention two victories in their opening rounds of the 2016/2017 EYHL season. However, Pembroke’s goal is ably guarded by Irish International Mark Ingram while Maurice Elliot is known to cause the best defences trouble with his darting runs. Regardless of the score, there will be no fewer than 4 Olympians and 9 Irish Internationals taking to the pitch in what should prove to be a highly competitive fixture.
Women’s Senior Cup
Limerick v Belfast Harlequins
Cork Harlequins v UCC
Dungannon v Loreto
Ards v Muckross
Lisnagarvey v Trinity
Ulster Elks v Railway Union
UCD v Old Alex
Hermes/Monkstown v Corinthian
Byes for Pegasus, Pembroke Wanderers, Genesis, Glenanne, Ballymoney, Banbridge, Lurgan & Queen’s University.
The games are to be played on 15th October.
Men’s Senior Cup
Pembroke v Lisnagarvey
Mossley v Avoca
Rathgar v UCD
Kilkeel v Cookstown
Portadown v Instonians
Clontarf v YMCA
Corinthian v Raphoe
NICS v Three Rock Rovers
Belfast Harlequins v Cork COI
Byes for Railway Union, Monkstown, Glenanne, Kilkenny, Dublin University, Annadale & Banbridge.
These game are to be played on 22nd of October.
