Pembroke Wanderers opened the defence of the Leinster Senior League title with their most comprehensive victory over Corinthians in recent seasons, winning 4-0 at Serpentine Avenue on Saturday.

The champions were three up at the interval through Steven Stewart, Justin Sherriff and Trevor Dunne, with Paudie Kiely increasing the margin from a penalty stroke forced by Alan Giles. Railway Union with their prolific South African influence, overpowered Clontarf 7-0 at Park Avenue. Jason Hatcher, with a hat-trick, and Shawn Hopkins inflicted most damage.

The other games in the day's testing conditions were more closely fought. Galahad Goulet, the Avoca captain who is just home from hotter exposure in Italy, scored twice in the 2-1 defeat of Three Rock Rovers at Grange Road. Paul Fitzpatrick sank a late winner for Glenanne against Monkstown at St Marks.

YMCA, with Belgian international Eric Gierts to the fore, beat Aer Lingus 2-0 at Ballinteer with Will Powderly also figuring on the score sheet.