Irish Hockey League hots up for Three Rock Rovers

Just two more weekends to go before the semi-finals of competition are known

Three Rock Rovers dominate Pool A of the Irish Hockey League with 17 goals scored in three games. Photograph: Inpho.
Three Rock Rovers dominate Pool A of the Irish Hockey League with 17 goals scored in three games. Photograph: Inpho.

It’s not the last round of matches but teams this weekend could secure places at the top of the two pools of the Irish Hockey League.

With the first and second placed sides advancing to the April 6th semi-finals, Pool A continues to be dominated by free scoring Three Rock Rovers, who have 17 goals from three matches and second placed Pembroke Wanderers, who have the same full points but are 10 goals less better off.

This weekend, however, could place a hurdle on Rovers smooth passage as they have to visit Lisnagarvey, a match the home team have to win to stay in the mix for the final weekend. Garvey are on nine points, still in touch with the top two but the Ulster side need a win, preferably with a handful of goals, over the pool leaders to take them to 12 points.

Pembroke’s task against Cork Harlequins in Dublin seems comparatively straight forward with the visitors seeking their first points of the campaign.

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In Pool B and its Ulster’s Banbridge and Monkstown who are dominating the top two spots and again the sides are on the full 12 points each.

This weekend is less threatening than in Pool A as the remaining teams in the pool are a well off the pace. The closest side to the leaders, Leinster Senior Cup finalists UCD, are on four points with Cork C of I.

Johnny Watterson

Johnny Watterson

Johnny Watterson is a sports writer with The Irish Times