Keep It Going!
That is the message Bann coach Mark Tumilty will be giving to his squad as they get back to training and look forward to their next league game in the EY Hockey League. Bann backed by Swallow Groupage have opened up with two wins and six points and sit top of the new league encompassing the 10 best club sides in Ireland playing each other throughout the season.
Dublin kingpins Monkstown and Cork side Church of Ireland have matched Bann’s opening double win but Bann’s six goal salvo at Railway last Saturday sees them in top spot on goal difference. However this Saturday sees Bann compete in the standout fixture of the weekend when they welcome their neighbours and oldest rivals Lisnagarvey to Havelock Park.
Garvey have had the toughest start to the new league with opening games against Dublin heavyweights Pembroke Wanderers and Monkstown. An opening away win at Pembroke was followed by a home defeat to Monkstown and Garvey will be striving to keep in touch with the pace setters and a win at Bann would see them right in the mix. Defeat however would see them slip into mid table.
The Hillsborough outfit have secured the services of senior internationals Paul Gleghorne from Instonians and Neal Glassey from Mossley and these two combined with the services of their ace marksman Timmy Cochram and defender James Lorimer will present a real threat to the locals. Bann have enjoyed the upper hand in games between the two sides over recent seasons but the games have been close and high quality affairs and Bann’s experience has seen them just sneak through.
Bann coach Mark Tumilty saw his side find some form last week in Dublin last weekend putting Railway Union to the sword after a stuttering opening win over Annadale. With the exception of long term injury absentee Phillip Brown, Tumilty should have a full strength squad to select from and will be hoping his forward line continue to share the goals around with seven players already finding the net.
Bann’s following EY Hockey League game against Monkstown has been postponed due to Ireland taking on Argentina in a series of games in Dublin that weekend as they await their Olympic fate. Their next outing is then scheduled for Sat 31st October as they begin their defence of the Irish Senior Cup. The draw hasn’t been made yet but Bann will be hoping for a home tie when the draw is made later this month.
Saturday’s game hits off at the new late afternoon slot at 5pm and if the crowd at the opening game against Annadale was anything to go by then this later start time experiment seems to be paying off. This Saturday’s game promises to be a real cracker with two heavy weights of Irish hockey going head to head as they both aim to keep pace at the top end of the table. Miss it at your peril!