EYHL Men: Lisnagarvey Bounce Back, Pembroke Go Top as Three Points Cover the Top Five
Saturday hurt. Sunday fixed it. That’s the short version of Lisnagarvey’s weekend, and it’s why the Irish men’s EY Hockey League is suddenly the tightest title race in Europe.
Garvey went into Saturday as the only unbeaten side left, and they came unstuck at Three Rock Rovers. Chances were hard to come by all afternoon. Josh Gill put the hosts ahead in the first half, then Ryan Spencer flicked the ball into the roof of the net from the right baseline to make it two. Matthew Nelson pulled one back with seven minutes left, but Garvey couldn’t find another chance. First defeat of the season, 2-1, and just like that the unbeaten tag was gone.
The response came less than 24 hours later. Garvey beat bottom side Cork Harlequins 4-2 in the second half of their double-header, with Nelson scoring twice and Mark McNellis and Oliver Kidd adding one each. That’s what good sides do. They don’t dwell on it. They go out the next day and put it right.
But the weekend belonged to Pembroke Wanderers, who are now top of the league. They beat Monkstown 4-3 with a final-play winner on Saturday, then drew 2-2 with Three Rock on Sunday. Two tough games, four points, and the lead. They’ve now won the games that matter two weekends running, and they look like a side that believes in itself.
Three points cover five teams
That’s the real story here. Avoca are still unbeaten in third place, Banbridge won twice over the weekend to sit fifth on 15 points, and just three points separate the top five. One bad weekend and you’re fourth. One good one and you’re top. There’s no room to coast.
Banbridge deserve a mention. Two wins in a weekend is hard work in this league, and it keeps them right in the hunt. They were the ones who put nine past Cork on Saturday, and they’ve carried that momentum on. They’re not making up the numbers this season.
The race goes again on Saturday, and the fixture list hasn’t been kind to anyone. Lisnagarvey host leaders Pembroke at Comber Road, which is exactly the game you want when the top five are separated by a single win. Garvey will want revenge for nothing, really, they just need the points. Pembroke will want to prove the top spot is theirs to keep. It’s the biggest game of the Irish season so far, and it’s only November.
For our money, Pembroke are the form side right now, but Garvey’s Sunday response says they won’t go away quietly. Avoca are still unbeaten and lurking. Three points, five teams, and a top-of-the-table clash on Saturday. This league is delivering.
