The eight berths in the all-Ireland play-offs are virtually decided. Poised to join Pembroke Wanderers from Leinster are Avoca and Glenanne; in Ulster, Lisnagarvey, Instonians and Banbridge have pulled clear, while in Munster there remains only the formality of deciding first and second places between Cork C of I and Harlequins.

Avoca terminated Railway Union's hopes with 2-1 victory at Park Avenue on Saturday. Although Paul O'Brien rifled the home side into the lead, Trevor Dagg atoned for a penalty miss by equalising from a short corner. Colin Hade quickly drove through for what proved to be the winner as Avoca went on to exert control in the second half.

Glenanne, who defeated YMCA 5-1 at Tallaght, led only by a goal from Stephen Butler at the interval but Albert O'Donoghue made it 2-0 early in the second period to break the resistance. Alan Browne played a leading role in the collection of full points.

Corinthians, 4-1 winners against Aer Lingus, kept in touch but probably they will need to beat both Avoca and Glenanne in their final two games to edge out either of these two teams. Corinthians also face the challenge of denying Pembroke of the Leinster league and cup double when they meet in the Mills decider on St Patrick's Day. Pembroke, winners of the £500 Statoil league loot, were presented with the trophy by * branch secretary Paul Foster at Serpentine Avenue on Saturday after completing a 5-1 victory over Three Rock Rovers. Pembroke, with Max Lanos setting the pace and Francis de Rosa supreme at the back, would have wished that they had played with the same zip against Lisnagarvey in the Irish Senior Cup while Rovers no doubt will be determined to raise their game in next weekend's semi-final against the illustrious Ulster-men.

The Lisnagarvey second XI overpowered Railway Union II, 92, to reach the Irish Junior Cup final but they will certainly face their strongest opposition when they tackle Harlequins II on March 27th. The Cork side, enlivened by Brian Long, were too accomplished for Ballynahinch, winning the other semi-final with two strikes by Johnny Hughes.

Why wasn't Leinster president Stuart Margetson at Pembroke? He was detained in playing for YMCA V in their 4-3 shoot-out elimination of the holders, Naas III, in the Minor Cup semi-final. It was 1-1 after the extra time and David Ashmore, drafted in to join his brothers, Barry and Colin, in the YM side, converted the crucial stroke.