Glenanne can tighten their grip at top of the league

Men’s hockey: Victory over Cork C of I could push Dublin side over 30 points

Victory for Glennane over Cork C of I would enhance their European ambitions. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
Victory for Glennane over Cork C of I would enhance their European ambitions. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho

Glenanne have an excellent chance of extending their lead at the top of the EY Irish Hockey League this weekend. With one match taking place in Banbridge on Friday night and a second scheduled for St Andrew's School on Saturday, then four more scheduled for Sunday, Glenanne's seven-point lead could grow even larger in their quest to play in Europe.

The Dublin side's meeting with Cork C of I, who are struggling on nine points, could push them over the 30 points mark with just six games remaining before the playoff stages. Victory tomorrow would put the west Dublin team in a hugely strong position.

Lisnagarvey have games in hand (they have only played eight with all other teams on 10 or 11) but they must beat Banbridge in Havelock Park tonight and turn it around for a game in Dublin against Monkstown on Sunday if they have any ambition to chase down the Dublin side.

The winner of the home and away format will qualify for the EY Hockey Champions Trophy but also secure a place in Europe next season as the number two Irish representative.

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Banbridge also have a double header with Railway Union travelling north on Sunday. But the pick of the weekend is Monkstown's home game with Lisnagarvey in Rathdown School. The sides met in Hillsborough in the first game of the season with 'Garvey coming out on top 4-2.

Monkstown are currently in third place and the Ulster side in fourth with Pembroke also threatening to push into that space.

Johnny Watterson

Johnny Watterson

Johnny Watterson is a sports writer with The Irish Times