Away victories (and goals) registered on Saturday by Annadale (3-2), Cork Harlequins (3-2) and Pembroke Wanderers (4-2) against Glenanne, Corinthians and Cookstown, respectively, leave them poised to advance next weekend from the quarter-final stages to the ultimate showdown for the All-Ireland title at Belfield on May 11th-13th.
Cork C of I, winning encouragingly 4-2 at home against Lisnagarvey, are also keenly placed. Apart, though, from Pembroke who take a comfortable cushion into their second leg tie, the other three pairings are still in the balance.
Annadale, developing as Ulster's best side and who were barely edged out by Glenanne last season, led 3-1 going into stoppage time at Tallaght, only to concede two penalty strokes to Stephen Butler, the first of which he converted. But the second was saved by Johnny Moore, whose goalkeeping in several instances was a key element in the scoreline.
Spurred by Chris Jackson, Annadale had been the more effective side in the opening half, going two up through Grant Hayes and JP McGranaghan. Glenanne fought back for John Goulding to reduce the arrears which were extended again by Ian Hamilton before Alan Browne and Graham Shaw roused the home team in a stirring finish.
The Corinthians-Harlequins match at Whitechurch followed a similar pattern except that it was the Leinster side who set the pace as Olly Close put away two goals and the margin could have been wider but for the agility of Wesley Bateman. But Paul Lombard ignited Harlequins by putting away a short corner after the interval, then Dave Eakins equalised and the captain, Jason Black, swept home number three.
Pembroke made a flying start at Cookstown in taking a three goal lead through Justin Sherriff, Gordon Elliott and Dougie Good and although Andy Barbour replied twice to make it 3-2 at half-time, Sherriff scored again to keep the Dubliners in control.
At Garryduff, Cork C of I's international figures, Alastair Dunne, Mark Black and Nigel Buttimer were to the fore in the defeat of Lisnagarvey, both of whose goals came from Jonathan Bloomfield.
Trinity beat Portrane 4-0 in the Leinster league play-off at Serpentine Avenue yesterday, thus ensuring the presence of two university teams in Division One following UCD's promotion.
