Banbridge look to continue dominance over Ulster rivals Lisnagarvey in Irish Senior Cup decider

The sides were the top two in this season’s EYHL and will also go head-to-head in Tuesday’s Kirk Cup Final.

Last weekend it was Banbridge who came out on top when they lifted the Champions Trophy with a 2-1 win over Garvey.

Two goals from Josh Moffett and Philip Brown sealed the victory despite a consolation strike from Peter McKibbin.

As a result, Scott McCandless’ side remain on course for a potential quintuple as they also progressed to the Semi-Final of the Anderson Cup following a 4-1 midweek win over Kilkeel.

However, as always Lisnagarvey will prove no pushovers as the EuroHockey Club Trophy I champions could also end the season with a potential quadruple. Having already lifted their European silverware, they will be hoping to add the Irish Senior Cup, Kirk Cup and Anderson Cup to their trophy cabinet by the end of the season.

Erroll Lutton’s side will have to go one better than last weekend to win their first domestic silverware of the season, but there are positives from that performance with his side having forced Banbridge goalkeeper Luke Roleston into a number of fine saves.

Key men Andrew Williamson and Matthew Nelson have been in fine form and will likely have a big part to play on Saturday with both players having played a key role in their side’s European success in April.

The meeting between the two will be the fourth time this campaign they have gone head-to-head with Banbridge coming out on top each time.

They first met back in October when the EYHL champions ran out as 4-1 winners before completing the League double over their rivals with a 3-2 win in March at Havelock Park.

Garvey will now be looking to make it fourth time lucky and prevent Banbridge from lifting the Irish Senior Cup as well as preventing them from completing a treble of the major Hockey Ireland competitions for a second year running.

Elsewhere, Kilkeel take on North Down in an all-Ulster Premier League Irish Hockey Trophy Final.

It is Kilkeel who come in as favourites having finished second in the League and with the joint top goalscorer for the division amidst their ranks.

Luke Russell netted on 19 occasions this campaign and will be hoping to make it 20 to give his side Cup success.

However, North Down also have firepower amongst their squad with Gareth McKeown netting 13 times in the League.