Player exodus has left Ulster leagues in a real mess, claims Bangor boss Parker
“We made the request partly to help us rebuild in a league where we felt our very young squad could cope, having lost 16 of our previous season’s 17-man squad,” Parker explained.
“We also felt such a step would perhaps have made both leagues more balanced and competitive but this was turned down and we had to accept it.”
Parker believes the introduction of the full-season Irish Hockey League has had a negative impact on the game in Ulster with the reduction in the player pool at domestic level.
He added: “One major concern that was often mentioned in the consultation meetings in Ulster before the IHL came about was the detrimental effect it would have on provincial hockey and I think this has 100% been proven correct.
“I am all for elite teams performing at an elite level and it’s great to see the Ulster teams do well in the IHL.
“However, senior hockey within Ulster has suffered and the leagues are a mess and unbalanced — just look at the scores in both leagues as evidence.”
Meanwhile, a late double strike from Johnny McKee helped Banbridge defeat YMCA 3-1 on Saturday.
Lisnagarvey remain in pole position, five points ahead of Bann and Monkstown with one and two games in hand respectively over their rivals.
Annadale are now 10 points adrift at the bottom after losing 6-2 to nearest rivals Pembroke. Results: EYIHL: Annadale 2 Pembroke 6; Banbridge 3 YMCA 1; Corinthian 1 Three Rock 2; UCD 4 Glenanne 6; Monkstown v L’garvey abandoned. Ulster Premier: Cookstown 14 B’hinch 0; Kilkeel 9 Portadown 2; Mossley 7 Queen’s 2; North Down 1 South Antrim 4; Sussex Regiment Cup: Antrim 8 Armagh 1; Belfast H’quins 1 Civil Service 2.
COACH Adrian Fulton hailed the impact of Dominic Lynn in Belfast Star’s 102-61 victory away to Dublin Lions in the All-Ireland Superleague on Saturday night.
Star looked in danger of suffering another shock defeat which would have ruined their title aspirations with only two games remaining as they gave up 25 points in the opening quarter — just as they had done four weeks ago in a stunning loss at the hands of Moycullen.
Fulton admitted that he took a piece of advice from dad and former Star boss Danny to bring 21-year-old Lynn onto the court and it paid off as Star took the game by the throat.
“My dad said the game was made for Dominic to come on and give us a real spark defensively so I sent him on and that’s exactly what happened. He gave us an energy and aggression that we needed and it seemed to rub off on all the guys,” said Fulton.
“I couldn’t believe that again we had conceded so many points in the first quarter. We needed to be shaken up a bit and Dominic was terrific. He’s very athletic and he can be very effective.
“We’ve got two games left, at home to Neptune and then away to DCU, and we have to make sure we maintain our level.”
American Delaney Blaylock clicked into top gear in that second quarter when Star blitzed the Lions, finishing on 19 points along with Keelan Cairns but it was Fulton’s son CJ who top scored on 22 with an immaculate 100% shooting display.
The teenager pulled the strings with ease in the second and third quarters, torturing the Lions who were a spent force with the final quarter remaining — so much so that Star were able to rest the gifted point guard.
“It was good that we had the opportunity to play everyone on the bench. There were so many positive performances, like Adam Ryan who had 10 points. It was also important to give minutes to Conor Quinn who is getting better and better after returning from injury,” added Fulton.