HOCKEY: Will double header mean double delight?

Banbridge Hockey Club face another significant weekend in their EY League season.
Bruce McCandless will be part of the Banbridge squad who face a key double-header this weekend in their battle to claim the EY League title. INBL1545-243PBBruce McCandless will be part of the Banbridge squad who face a key double-header this weekend in their battle to claim the EY League title. INBL1545-243PB
Bruce McCandless will be part of the Banbridge squad who face a key double-header this weekend in their battle to claim the EY League title. INBL1545-243PB

On Saturday, Mark Tumilty’s side travel to Dublin to face Three Rock Rovers before returning to Havelock Park to host Cork C of I, who sit alongside Bann in joint second spot.

After four games, just one point separates the top four teams and a ‘double header’ weekend such as this could see big swings throughout the table.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“They’re two great games for us to look forward to,” said Tumilty, who stopped short of demanding maximum points from the two matches.

“We can’t expect anything in this league. We’ll get ready for the Three Rock game and then we will think about Cork after that.

“Three Rock will feel good about themselves after their result last weekend and they must be very solid at the back.

“That’s the challenge for us, to go there and break them down.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Three Rock held leaders Monkstown to a 0-0 draw last weekend, ending the current champions’ 100 per cent record.

“There are a lot of good teams in this league and points will be dropped all over the place,” said Tumilty, whose side begin their match against Cork at Havelockon Sunday at 3pm.

“It’s a big weekend for Cork C of I as well, facing Monkstown and then us. They have started very well and they will be competitive in every game they play this season.

“If we play to our capabilities though, we should be able to grind out the results.”

Bann will go into the game without the services of Josh Moffett, who suffered a hamstring injury during training last Thursday and will be out for around four weeks.