Within a year, Glenanne - like Tiger Woods - have duly won all the "majors" on home turf and they will thus be going into Europe for the second successive season after carrying off the Irish Senior Cup in their first appearance in the final at Belfield on Saturday.
The Tallaght side, though, had to use every ounce of their resources to shake off YMCA's challenge (2-1). "They gave it everything, they really made a game for us," was the combined tribute to the losers from the Glenanne coach Noel Keogh, captain Alan Browne and veteran centre-back Rory O'Donoghue (two weeks away from his 44th birthday).
YMCA had prepared earnestly for the occasion. This was soon apparent as Jason Milne, Will Powderly and Michael Fry thoroughly matched Glenanne in midfield. The defence, too - not least the two youngest members, Greg Keeley and Keith Benson - was alert to every thrust. There was just one blemish, after 30 minutes, when a penalty was conceded to Graham Shaw but Stephen Butler sent the stroke against the post.
While player-of-the-match Butler turned up the gas significantly after the interval, several counter attacks by YMCA went close to snatching the lead, notably when Sean Southgate flashed a shot inches wide. Then crucially, in the 57th and 59th minutes, Glenanne scored twice.
First, Joe Brennan, who brought off a number of invaluable tackles, broke up a YM raid and sent Shaw clear to earn a short corner from which Butler found the target with a drag flick.
By now, Nazir Munir from Lahore had warmed up sufficiently to take part in the next attack with John Goulding, forcing YM to yield a second penalty stroke which Butler put away successfully this time.
Glenanne ought to have increased the margin at this stage but YM managed to reply proudly in the last minute through Powderly after Ian Clarke had parried a short corner from Eric Gierts.
Yesterday, Glenanne's Leinster league title was finally put out of their reach as Pembroke Wanderers regained the laurels by beating understrength Corinthians 4-0 at Serpentine Avenue. Alan Giles helped himself to a hat-trick as Pembroke now focus on challenging Glenanne for the all-Ireland championship, along with Corinthians, Harlequins, Cork C of I, Lisnagarvey, Annadale and Banbridge or Cookstown.
Also coming up after Easter is the Irish Junior Cup final in which Lisnagarvey II will take on Pembroke II at Banbridge. Pembroke showed their mettle by beating the holders, Annadale II, 4-2, after extra-time.
GLENANNE: I Clarke; D Shaw, J Brennan, R O'Donoghue, C Murphy; S Butler, A Browne (capt), P Fitzpatrick; M Lambe, G Shaw, J Goulding. Sub: N Munir.
YM Powderly, M Fry (capt); S Southagte, R Fox, A Walker. Sub: P Powderly.
Umpires: R O'Connor, C Hutchinson.
Women's Hockey
