The Ulster Hockey Senior Indoor Finals returns this Sunday 29th January at the Antrim Forum.
Both the men’s and the women’s tournaments will run concurrently with the chance to represent the province at the All-Ireland National Indoor Championships on the 5th February at the Antrim Forum.
Meanwhile there is further incentive with the winners of the All-Ireland competition earning the chance to represent Ireland in next year’s EuroHockey Indoor Club Championships.
This weekend’s Finals Day comes following the completion of last Sunday’s fixtures at the Queens PE Centre.
MENS COMPETITION:
This section will be contested by four sides in Annadale, Belfast Harlequins, Cookstown and Queen’s University.
A section consisting of two EYHL teams and two Premier League sides promises to provide a lot of quality as displayed when the sides met on Sunday.
In last weekend’s competition it was Cookstown who lead the group with four points from their two fixtures. Meanwhile Belfast Harlequins came bottom after losing both their games.
For information on this Sunday’s fixtures please see the schedule at the bottom of the article.
ONES TO WATCH:
There is set to be plenty of international representation on show with six players participating in the tournament having represented Ireland in indoor hockey.
Annadale’s Neal Glassey and Michael Robson have both represented their nation as well as previously playing for German club Crefelder THC.
Meanwhile 2022 runners-up Cookstown will have Mark Crooks featuring alongside Jack Haycock who recently represented Ireland in the recent EuroHockey Indoor Championships in December.
Queens have Conor Irwin and Captain Scott McCabe in their squad, who both represented the Ireland Indoor Development Squad in Poland earlier this month.
LADIES COMPETITION:
The ladies section will be contested between three sides, Ards, Queen’s University and Pegasus.
Pegasus, who have dominated the outdoor game in Ulster over the last two decades, have made a return to Ulster Indoor Championships after a 30-year absence.
Similarly to the men, the ladies also participated in last weekend’s competition with a closely contested group being topped by Ards.
For information on this Sunday’s fixtures please see the schedule at the bottom of the article.
ONES TO WATCH:
Ten times winners and current defending champions Ards will be looking towards their Irish Internationals Caroline Adams and Amy Benson to make the difference for them. Amy recently represented Ireland in the recent test series against South Africa in Cape Town in December.
Also featuring for Ards are Katie Kimber and Sophie Kidd, who represented Ireland Development team in their recent four match series against Poland.
Queens will look towards captain Alyssa Jebb and their four Ulster 21s players Rebecca Spence, Katie Stewart, Jodie Simmons and Jenna McCarlie, who they have in their ranks to make an impact for them.
Elsewhere upon their return to the indoor scene, Pegasus will be reliant on the experience of Ruth Maguire and Gemma Frazer who both set to feature for the Belfast club.
SUNDAY’S SCHEDULE:
- 09:30am – Queen’s University vs Ards – Ladies
- 10:30am – Queen’s University vs Annadale – Men
- 11:40am – Queen’s University vs Pegasus – Ladies
- 12:40pm – Cookstown vs Belfast Harlequins – Men
- 13:40pm – Pegasus vs Ards – Ladies
- 14:40pm – 3rd/4th Playoff – Men
- 15:40pm – Final – Men
CURRENT STANDINGS
| Ladies | |||||||||
| P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | ||
| Ards | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 4 | +3 | 6 | |
| Pegasus | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 7 | +1 | 3 | |
| Queens University | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 8 | -4 | 0 |
| Mens | |||||||||
| P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | ||
| Cookstown | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 7 | +3 | 4 | |
| Annadale | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 6 | +2 | 4 | |
| Queens University | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 9 | -2 | 3 | |
| Belfast Harlequins | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 8 | -3 | 0 |
