Queen’s University and Portadown contest the 2026 Denman Shield Final at Playball, Stormont this evening with the action getting underway from 7:30pm.
Looking to go one step further than last season, Queen’s University are in the final for a second season running having lost to Ulster Elks in the 2025 showpiece.
The students are five times winners of the competition, but are now looking to end an eight year wait to lift the trophy, last winning it in the 2017-18 season when they beat Legacy Wealth Management Premier League side Lurgan 2-1 in the final.
In this years competition, Adam Louden’s side progressed through a group with Pegasus and Lurgan before thrashing Larne 5-0 in the Semi-Finals last month.
Their opponents Portadown are also looking to end their wait to lift the trophy and are competing in the final for an impressive 19th time.
The EYHL side haven’t won the Denman Shield since 1991-92 when they beat Randalstown 1-0, however, the side haven’t reached the final since 2000-01 when they were comfortably beaten 5-0 by record winners Pegasus.
Coming into tonight’s tie, Portadown have endured a solid first season in the EYHL and picked up some impressive wins along the way.
In the Denman Shield they progressed to the final with a convincing 6-0 win over reigning champions Ulster Elks and set up tonight’s clash with rivals QUB.
The sides have already met once this season, when they went head-to-head in the EYHL back in September and played out a 2-2 draw at Edenvilla with goals from Annie Gordon and Evie Girvan for the hosts, whilst Eva Gaston and Jodie Simmons both struck for the visitors.
However, last season, the sides proved fierce rivals in the Legacy Wealth Management Premier League, playing out a dramatic title race which saw Queen’s University eventually crowned champions, finishing five points ahead of Portadown.
In their two meetings last campaign, the sides once again proved a near even match, drawing 1-1 at The Dub before Queen’s edged out their second meeting, winning 2-1 at Edenvilla.
All support is welcome at the event, with a gate fee of £8 for adults and £5 for children.
PHOTO: Front Row Union