HOCKEY: Week one and already the scorelines suggest a division in the Leinster Senior League, with Corinthians, from their point of view, depressingly bucking the trend. Few would have predicted a 3-0 hammering at Whitechurch by Three Rock Rovers against a side which not only qualified for last season's club championships but performed well, too.
Perhaps Rovers, with their new Dutch coach, are getting things together at Grange Road. If so, it would be a welcome boost to Leinster hockey to have another consistently competitive side; and, given their wonderful facilities and ability to attract players, about time too.
Three times Rovers opened the Corinthians defence, with Peter McConnell scoring twice, one from a penalty, and Christian Judd claiming the other.
Aer Lingus, with coach John McInerney's work over the years paying off in their first game, hit four against YMCA. Well-organised and hard working, two goals each from Adrian Sweeney and Trevor Parsons ensured victory despite the home side being down a goalkeeper for 10 minutes due to a yellow card. Michael Fry hit YMCA's only score.
League and cup holders Glenanne also indicated their intentions this season, with newly-promoted Railway Union feeling the brunt of a three-goal opening spree. John Goulding knocked in two with captain Alan Browne striking one.
Pembroke, without the injured Justin Sherriff in the strike line, forced one of their biggest margins against Monkstown in several years. Playing well and taking their chances, Duggy Good and Ireland's best player at the European qualifying event this summer, Gordon Elliott, both struck well for their goals. Alan Giles added his name to the goal list.
The Avoca v UCD game was refixed.
LEINSTER SENIOR LEAGUE - Division One: Aer Lingus 4 (T Parsons 2, A Sweeney 2), YMCA 1 (M Fry); Corinthians 0, Three Rock Rovers 3 (P McConnell 2, one pen, C Judd); Pembroke Wanderers 3 (D Good, G Elliott, A Giles), Monkstown 0; Railway Union 0, Glenanne 3 (J Goulding 2, A Browne). Division Two: Naas 0, St Brendan's/Phoenix Park 1 (P Kinsella); Clontarf 1 (C McMullen), Skerries 1 (S Healy); Suttonians 1 (L Finn), Weston 2 (A Alymer, N Hipwell); Portrane 2 (D Ledwige, M McCann), Bray 1 (S Anglin). Munster Senior League - Division One: Harlequins 4 (P Lombard, P McLoughlin, D Eakins, D Egner), Limerick 0; C of I II 5 (S Barker 2, J Brukton, S Tyrell, S Foote), Belvedere 3 (M Hurley 2, P Murray) Harlequins II 1 (S Sale), Bandon 3 (E Rice, I Bryan, T Martin), C of I 3 (J Jermyn, N Buttimer pen, T Dunne), Catholic Institute 0.
