Queen’s University and Lurgan get their EYHL2 campaigns underway as they go head-to-head in an all-Ulster Clash
The sides are joined by Portadown as they begin their quest to earn promotion to the EYHL for the 2025/26 season.
It is the student side who come into the tie as favourites, second in the Legacy Wealth Management Premier League and yet to lose a game this season, they have been in sensational form as they begin their promotion push.
The sides last met just last month when two goals from Jenna McCarlie and a third from Megan Cochrane sealed a win for the student outfit.
However, Lurgan will prove a test for their Ulster rivals having recently secured top spot of their Denman Shield group with back to back wins over Omagh and Mossley since the new year.
Elsewhere, Portadown take on Leinster side Muckross at Edenvilla as they look to get off to a winning start in the competition.
Like Queen’s University, the youthful Portadown side are unbeaten in all competitions this season as they sit top of the league.
Meanwhile, they have also proven their EYHL pedigree in recent weeks, beating last season’s EYHL2 winners Ards 3-2 with goals from Emily Adamson, Katie Herron and Lara Wilson.
Saturday’s opponents Muckross aren’t having quite as successful of a season as their Ulster rivals, currently fourth in their division and having only won four of their ten league games.
In the Legacy Wealth Management Premier League, Belfast Harlequins are looking to continue their fine form in recent weeks.
The side are unbeaten in their last five league and cup outings, recently beating EYHL side Ards as well as thrashing Lisnagarvey 5-0 in December with goals from Jenna McAuley (2), Claire Whiteside, Katie Larmour and Megan Getty.
They now face a youthful Armagh side who have drawn their last two games – both against Omagh.
The side are currently eighth in the division and led by Mia Taylor who has scored a team high five goals this season.
The final game of the day sees Omagh host Mossley with the two sides coming into the weekend separated by just one place and two points in the division.
It is the visitors who rank higher in the table and Davy Menaul’s side have been on a good run of form recently, winning their last two outings against Armagh and Ballymoney.
Following their promotion, the side have been led by Reah Little and Lucy Campbell who have netted a joint six goals this campaign with Little netting in the recent win over Ballymoney.
As for Omagh, they come into the tie off the back of three consecutive draws with Sophie Egerton netting in her last two outings.