Belfast Harlequins and Ards eager to clinch promotion to the EYHL

The two clubs both face Cork opposition and know a win would seal promotion to the EYHL ahead of Sunday’s Final.

First up it is Ards who play Pool A winners Cork Harlequins who ended the group stage with a perfect record from their eight games.

The Down side come into the game having won their Quarter-Final last weekend when they beat Avoca 1-0 courtesy of a Rachel Houston strike in the fourth minute of the tie.

Due to winning the group, Harlequins have been out of EYHL2 action for a month with their last outing being their 6-0 thrashing of Greenfields.

In the other EYHL2 game, Belfast Harlequins take on University College Cork as they continue their push to return to the EYHL on the first attempt.

The Deramore Park side suffered a slow start to the 2023/24 season, but post-Christmas have seen an upturn in form.

The returns of Emma Fraser and Claire Whiteside have played a key role in their recent improvement with Fraser finishing the EYHL2 group stages as the competition’s top goal scorer.

Their side finished second in Pool A with five wins from their eight games and they now face a UCC side who topped Pool B unbeaten and are looking to join Ulster Elks and UCD as the third university side in the top flight.

Elsewhere, Coleraine take on Dungannon in the Ulster Senior Cup at Playball, Stormont.

The two Senior One sides have had strong campaigns this season, but it is Coleraine who come into the tie as strong favourites.

Stephen McCartney’s side could still seal promotion to the Legacy Ulster Women’s Premier League as well as lifting the Cup.

Meanwhile, Dungannon are looking to add silverware to their name having also had a strong season in the division as they finished third.