YMCA and Cork C of I escaped automatic relegation for now as they nicked results against top-half sides in the men’s EY Hockey League, condemning Cookstown to a return to the Ulster Premier League. YMCA went into the weekend as the only side with their fate in their own hands, and they duly took that chance in beating Pembroke 2-0 at Wesley. An undramatic scoreline but drama did abound, particularly in the first half when a penalty stroke was awarded to the YMCA. Throughout the second half YMCA lived on their nerves while Pembroke lost their heads, going down to nine players for the last few minutes during which Cillian Hynes scored the second. With Cookstown losing 5-1 against Banbridge, they dropped through the trapdoor with something of a whimper, with Cork C of I the beneficiaries.

Source: The Irish Times April 28, 2019 19:41 UTC