Welcome wildcard news for Munster

Bandon have finally got their wish of something resembling a hometown venue for the Irish Hockey League wildcard playoffs, which will take place at Garryduff on May 6-8 having been held in Dublin for the past three seasons. The west Cork side have represented Munster in the wildcard every year since its inception,and are currently in pole position to hold off UCC this time around, but have thus far failed to qualify for the competition proper.

Games against the B teams of C of I and Quins do not count towards IHL qualification, meaning Bandon have a three-point lead over the students in this respect, each with one game to play. College can force a playoff if they beat C of I on home turf and Bandon lose at home to Quins. Last season, Bandon bemoaned having to travel for all three tournaments, especially while many of their players were mired in college exams, saying their pleas to the IHA to have the competition rotated around the provinces have fallen on deaf ears. In 2007/08, they travelled to Belfast only to narrowly lose out to Instonians and Fingal, before getting little change out of Lisnagarvey and Corinthian in Dublin a year later, with ‘Garvey and YMCA doing the damage last time out. The tournament timetable will now be the next focus for the club; the last two tournaments have seen them play their games back-to-back. Whoever qualifies from Munster will be hoping for a Friday night and Sunday afternoon slot this time around. Meanwhile, Lisnagarvey and their Comber Road home have been announced as the hosts for the Irish Hockey League finals weekend on April 30 to May 1 following the tender process. The IHA received six bids to host the finals – coming from Instonians, Pembroke, NICS, Banbridge and Three Rock Rovers – with the decision moving the finals in Ulster for the first time in the new format. Following a review of each, the IHL Working Group stated that they “are committed to moving the IHL finals around the country to maximise exposure, while seeking to generate sizeable spectator crowds. “At the same time, it is important that the event retains a ‘club atmosphere’ where the hockey community can meet up in a convivial social setting. “The choice of Lisnagarvey will enable these objectives be met and the IHL Working Group is looking forward to working with the team to what we hope is another fantastic IHL finals weekend.