BANBRIDGE – 3 LISNAGARVEY – 1
Banbridge and Lisnagarvey have a long established rivalry from their days in the Ulster League. The games between them are considered derbies and they have long been in contention for titles at the same time. Lisnagarvey won the League title in 2022 and were leading the charge for this seasons title until February when they were overtaken by Banbridge who eventually were crowned 2023 champions.
Lisnagarvey qualified for the semi finals of this competition by virtue of their runner-up slot in the this season’s EYHL Men’s Division. Banbridge by virtue of winning the League were in the opposite semi-final and dispatched Glenanne in yesterday’s contest by 4-3. Lisnagarvey beat Monkstown by 2-1 in their semi-final. Two very tight semi-finals and this contest seemed likely to follow in that vein.
Banbridge got off the mark as early as the 3rd minute through a Louis Rowe goal where he converted a penalty corner. It is said that the penalty corner is the most important set piece in the sport of hockey. Well let us present you with this game as exhibit A in support of this theory because all the goals in this game came about as a result of the set piece.
There was no further scoring in the first or second quarter and it was 1-0 at half-time. Jake Rowe increased Banbridge’s lead on 40 minutes converting a penalty corner. Four minutes later Joshua Moffett added a third goal from yet another penalty corner to make it 3-0.
Heading towards the end of the fourth quarter, Lisnagarvey finally got on the scoresheet for what would prove to be a consolation goal. Andrew Williamson converting a penalty corner but it was to no avail for Lisanagarvey because a few minutes later when the end of match hooter sounded the final score was Banbridge 3 Lisnagarvey 1.
The Champions Trophy, League Trophy and Irish Senior Cup treble has suddenly become a potential target as Banbridge return to the Irish Senior Cup Final at UCD next weekend with the first two already in the trophy cabinet.
