While Pembroke Wanderers and Glenanne had only a goal to spare over Aer Lingus and Monkstown respectively, Railway Union plundered a Corinthians defence lacking Cormac Byrne in the starting line-up to surge into a 4-1 half-time lead and coast to a significant 4-2 victory in the Leinster Senior League at Whitechurch Park on Saturday.
Corinthians seized the lead from an opening raid when Robbie Burns forced a penalty stroke for Colin Stewart to convert. But Railway quickly clicked into inspired attacking form for Mark Henderson, Stevie Moulton, Graham Grumley and Brendan Parsons to score exhilaratingly, with the fourth goal, set up by Paul O'Brien just before the interval, leaving Corinthians stunned.
Although the home side tried earnestly to hit back in the second half, Conor O'Brien, particularly, was unyielding in Railway's back four and Paul Armitage replied only in the last minute.
Glenanne moved into second place behind Pembroke in beating Monkstown 3-2 at St Mark's, but it was close to the final whistle before veteran Frankie Byrne (deputising for John Goulding) scored the winner. Monkstown were two up through Cliff Bailey and Justin Sherriff before Paul Fitzpatrick and Graham Shaw established parity.
While Pembroke took full points from their 2-1 defeat of Aer Lingus at the airport, the game was keenly contested as was reflected by a mere 4-2 short-corner count. Simon Kershaw gave the champions the lead with a reverse-stick scorcher but Andrew Marshall - much to the fore along with Ben Chillingworth - made it 1-1 by half-time and it was only a direct set-piece shot by Stephen Stewart which decided the issue. "I was happy the way we competed, especially the younger players," said the losers' coach, John McInerney.
Three Rock Rovers lost further ground in going under 3-2 to YMCA at Ballinteer where Justin Elliott sank the decisive goal in the 69th minute. It was not a surprise result as, after Neil Quaid had kept out a penalty stroke stroke from Garry Ringwood, YM confirmed their capabilities in twice taking the lead through Greg Van Strydonck. Although Gordon Elliott replied with notable elan, he lacked finishing support.
"We are enjoying our hockey," said Kilkenny's skipper Ross Harding even though they found themselves back at the bottom of the table after their 4-0 defeat by Avoca at Grange Road. Ken Hovenden, Conor Harrington (until he came down heavily at full charge) and Neville Kavanagh played with special vigour for the south-easterners. But Graham Dowling, along with Paul Derham, kept the pressure going for Avoca, opening the way for goals from Colin Hade (the only first-half breakthrough), Enda Gallanagh and Trevor Dagg (penalty) before Dowling put his own name on the scoresheet in the last attack. The workrate of Jamie Scott was also a factor in the winning margin.
