Sothern on the mark for Pembroke

Men's Hockey: All of a sudden at Serpentine Avenue, the name returning the goals for Pembroke is not Justin Sherriff but a player…

Men's Hockey: All of a sudden at Serpentine Avenue, the name returning the goals for Pembroke is not Justin Sherriff but a player at least half a decade younger than him, Alan Sothern.

The St Andrews schoolboy was again on the mark this week with two goals against Corinthians, Sherriff, naturally, bagging the third.

The win puts Pembroke on top of the table as their closet rivals, Three Rock Rovers and Glenanne, played out a 2-2 draw at Glenanne Park.

That's a good result for Rovers away from home, where Peter Blakeney and Gary Ringwood scored one a piece.

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Again for Glenanne, Irish midfielder Stephen Butler netted a score along with new face Andrea de Canter.

But Pembroke's victory, which came in the dying seconds, will harness confidence around Ballsbridge as Corinthians are expected to be up there challenging for the entire season.

Sothern's first goal arrived in the opening minute of the match and his last came just 30 seconds from the end.

Elsewhere, Monkstown clicked back into form with a 3-1 win over Bray, while Railway Union, after last week's pasting, hit back with a win over the Trinity students, who are generally good to get when their term is just beginning.

Michael Fry's goal for YMCA was not enough to save them from defeat against Fingal at Clarmont Road.

Three goals from the visitors was good enough for the win and a top four place is achievable.

In Ulster the Kirk Cup holders, Banbridge, have been given something of a derby semi-final meeting with Lisnagarvey.

In the draw made on Saturday night, Premier League champions Annadale were paired with the winners of the postponed Pool D game between Cookstown and Kilkeel, which will take place on Tuesday evening in the Co Tyrone.

The matches will take place next weekend as a double-header at Garvey's new Hillsborough ground, with the final earmarked for Banbridge.

In the Linden Cup, holders Queen's have been paired with Cliftonville in the semi-finals while South Antrim will take on Portrush.

This will also be a double-header and will take place a fortnight's time at Belfast Harlequins' Deramore ground.

Johnny Watterson

Johnny Watterson

Johnny Watterson is a sports writer with The Irish Times