MEN'S HOCKEY:PEMBROKE WANDERERS and Lisnagarvey secured top positions in Pool A and B respectively of the Irish Hockey League (IHL) over the weekend, the Dublin club sweeping to a 3-0 win over the visiting Cork Harlequins and Lisnagarvey beating Cookstown 3-1 at Coolnafranky.
Pool A, however, was incomplete as the late tip-off between Banbridge and Instonians was postponed due to heavy fog at Havelock Park.
In one of the two Dublin derbies between Glenanne and Three Rock Rovers at Grange Road, the Tallaght visitors emerged as narrow 4-3 winner in the seven goal game. Two goals from Peter Blakeney and one from Patrick Shanahan wasn’t enough as Stephen Butler hit two in reply with scores also coming from Gary Shaw and Shane O’Donogue. That result secures Glenanne third place in Pool B, ’Garvey setting the pace at the top with six from two games played.
Pembroke’s Pool A win gives them a one-point advantage over second-placed Corinthian, who played out a 2-2 draw with Monkstown at Rathdown. The vistor’s two goals game from Darren Kimfley and Lucas Piccioli with Andy Ewington and Alec Barrett netting for Monkstown.
Pembroke scored all of their three goals in the second half at Serpentine Avenue, Cork Harlequins defending resolutely with Dutch goalkeeper Reinout Mensink having an excellent game all round, although finally conceding three goals. In the third quarter Sothern was finally on target to start the flow with a finely-executed set-piece drag flick for 1-0. Justin Sherriff added the second goal from play just after the hour. Pembroke at that stage were cruising with Sherriff quickly adding his second for the match and Pembroke’s third for the bonus point.
’Garvey’s rise to the top of Pool B came also with three goals, the visitors opening their account within minute of the match starting, Greg Thompson latching onto a Tim Cockram delivery. The score stayed that way until the second half. Cookstown’s efforts finally paid dividends when Colin Donaldson secured the equaliser after a great solo run down the flank.
But it was to be ’Garvey’s day and they took the lead once again when Thompson picked up on a cross and drove the ball home for his second goal of the day and a 2-1 lead. They ensured their victory in the 54th minute when Cockram converted a penalty stroke.
