ALTHOUGH the Irish market made useful gains, it lagged behind the performance in London, where financial shares pushed the market up by some 1.5 per cent. Nevertheless, shares were perky, and positive and, like London, they were led by the financials.

However, unlike the recent trend, the spotlight was not on Bank of Ireland. AIB instead led the pack and it did it with style, pushing ahead by 8p in a number of moves to 414p before finishing at 412.75p in a late deal.

The surge by the stock enabled it to recover its prime status among the listed banks in the see-saw battle for top position with Bank of Ireland.

Dealers said AIB was now making up for its lack-lustre performance compared with its main rival, Bank of Ireland, which appeared content to sit on its laurels. It first shed 2p to 573p, then changed its mind and put on the 2p to finish unchanged at 575p.

CRH was also in a lethargic mood. Lacking purpose, it put on 2p to 630p, then reversed by the same amount to end up unchanged at 628p.

Smurfit saw some activity. However, it moved in a very narrow band before closing unchanged on the day at 179p.

Some of the second liners pushed ahead. McInerney, which only started trading again last week following a major financial restructuring, put on 2p to close at 52p. This is well ahead of the 35p offered to the previous equity shareholders.

Barlo, which seems to have left its financial problems behind, could now be on a recovery path and it was stronger, putting on 1p to 45p.

Jones, another potential recovery stock, had a good day. It added 5p to 140p. Unidare was also healthier; it added 10p to 210p. Dunloe put on 3 1/2p to 30p.

Going against the trend, Crean was weaker. It fell 3p and then dropped another 5p, to finish at 175p, down 8p. Greencore, ahead of the results today, weakened 1p to 385p.

Readymix which, like other companies in the construction sector, is seeing benefits from the buoyancy in the industry, proved the point by putting on 10p to 125p.