Banbridge and Queen’s University contest the 2026 Kirk Cup Final this evening at Lisnagarvey Hockey Club with the action getting underway from 7:30pm.
Tonight’s clash will also mark the first time in six years that a team other than Lisnagarvey lifts the trophy, with the four time champions having exited at the Semi-Final stage this time around.
Other than Lisnagarvey, the last side to lift the trophy was Scott McCandless’ Banbridge back in the 2019-20 season when they won 3-2 against their local rivals to lift the trophy for a 23rd time.
When the sides met in this season’s semi-finals, it was Banbridge who came out on top with a narrow 1-0 win having already progressed through a group with Premier League sides Mossley and Bangor.
Meanwhile, Queen’s University are looking to win the competition for the very first time.
The students have reached the final on four occasions and on all four they have played Banbridge with the last of those meetings coming over 100 years ago in the 1919-20 season.
Matthew Bell’s side progressed from a group with Cookstown and Belfast Harlequins before sealing their place in the final with a shootout victory over their Premier League title rivals South Antrim.
Tonight’s meeting will be the second time this season that the sides have gone head-to-head, as they met in the Anderson Cup Semi-Finals just a matter of weeks ago when it was Banbridge who sailed to victory winning 8-1 at Havelock Park.
However, with silverware now on the line, Queen’s University will be hoping to overturn that disappointing loss.
PHOTO: Front Row Union