FOLLOWING Belvedere's Unexpected elimination of Cork C of I (previous conquerors of holders Avoca) on Saturday, Lisnagarvey must be strong favourites to win the Irish Senior Cup for the eighth time in 10 years.
Of the other quarter-finalists, Banbridge, Holywood and Pembroke Wanderers find themselves highest in the ratings.
Belvedere would admit to being" among the lesser lights but as club secretary Pat Flynn said yesterday, "we'll give any side a good going." Their performance against more illustrious local rivals at Harlequin Park was totally focused, with Paul Murray putting away the only goal early in the second half.
Undoubtedly, a major factor in the most startling result of the third round was the absence of C of I's captain, Alastair Dunne, who split a finger in mid-week training. Yet, C of I still were fielding the bulk of the Munster squad and found themselves thwarted in particular by Ger Casey and John Ahern in midfield as well as by centre-back David Murray, who had come home from London for the assignment.
Even when there was a threat that the Hanna brothers might break through for an equaliser, Neil Quails brought off several valuable flying saves from Derek Hales in the closing stages to leave C of I scoreless for the first occasion this season and suffering defeat at the hands of bogey side Belvedere for the second time in three years.
Three Rock Rovers are also inclined to have trouble in coping with Banbridge, so the outcome at Grange Road could be taken more philosophically as the Co Down side, playing more tigerishly, won by, 2-1. The much committed David McAnulty scored both goals for the visitors, striking with alacrity at the start and then giving his team the" lead again before the interval from an opening by Colin Allister surviving from the side which beat Rovers 4-3 in the 1986 final.
Matt Bechmann had equalised for Three Rock in the opening minutes but his forwards found themselves tightly marked and although they penetrated the cover in the second half, Liam Canning and Robin Madeley had shots kept out sharply by Glenn Dale. At the other end, Shane Davy and Alan Bothwell also combined admirably to foil Lee Tumilty as Banbridge confirmed that they can be a menacing team in the Cup.
It was not surprising that Railway Union beat Cookstown, also by 2-1, at Park Avenue, for Railway have been showing their growing capabilities in Leinster circles. They were the better balanced team in a match which was notable for a fine duel in midfield between the former Ireland captain, Martin Sloan, and Paul O'Brien for the home side. This pair also performed the scoring duties. O'Brien was on the target from a short corner in the first half and although Sloan equalised soon after the interval, the decisive goal fell to O'Brien from a somewhat controversial penalty stroke 12 minutes from the end.
The youngest quarter-final survivors are Monkstown who, thanks to a deflection into the net by Cliff Bailey after 20 minutes and, ultimately, alert goalkeeping by his brother Glenn, edged out Corinthians 1-0 in the modest all-Leinster encounter at Rathdown.
While Lisnagarvey, Holywood and Pembroke came though powerfully against YMCA, NICS and Antrim, respectively, featured by goals by Mark Tumilty (2), Kenny Morris (3) and Andy Cooke (4), no ones could have anticipated the 5-5 draw between Annadale and Raphoe at Lough Moss. The match was stopped for 40 minutes alter Annadale's David Smyth had suffered a neck injury, but happily it turned out not to be serious. Raphoe fought back from arrears of 3-1 and 4-2 before Richard Eaton forced extra time, so a replay must be staged in Donegal next Saturday.
