Men's Hockey: A clinical hat-trick by Chris Barnes gave Instonians a 3-1 win over Cork Harlequins at Belfield yesterday, leaving them in pole position in today's deciding games of the All-Ireland club championship.

Instonians, the Irish Senior Cup holders, will complete a prestigious double if they beat Lisnagarvey this afternoon but other outcomes (and goal differences) would favour Harlequins, as they will be expected to take both points from the understrength outgoing champions, Cork C of I, this morning.

Having beaten Lisnagarvey, 4-1 on Saturday, Harlequins' strong first-half performance yesterday raised hopes of reversing their 1-0 Cup final defeat by Instonians. There were assured performances from two of the newer members of the Cork side, Lee d'Alton and David Egner, and the opening goal came from a fiercely struck short corner by John Ahern in the 26th minute.

Instonians, however, played with typical resilience in the second half and, as relentlessly as Michael Schumacher, they drew level and then accelerated clear as Barnes swept home two drag flicks and a penalty stroke.

Instonians, though, had only managed a 1-1 draw with C of I in their opening match and if international striker John Jermyn had not been unavailable because of exams, the Garryduff side might still be in the reckoning to retain the title. Jermyn's absence was especially noticeable yesterday when they lost 2-1 to Lisnagarvey. Through the pace of Richard Arnopp they had the impetus to force four short corners in the early stages but the set pieces were unsuccessful.

Allowed to settle, Lisnagarvey then took up the running and Kevin Lunn nudged the Ulstermen into a half-time lead.

C of I restarted with another full press which yielded an equaliser from Arnopp but when he had to retire through injury, it was Lisnagarvey who threatened and Tim Cockram darted free to land the winner.