MENS HOCKEY: Five goal strikes by Peter Blakeney for Trinity against Railway Union and Tim Cockram for Lisnagarvey against Antrim were the individual exploits on Saturday in the third round of the Irish Senior Cup.
Elsewhere, Clontarf edged out the more established Ulster Premier Division side, NICS, emerging 4-2 victors in a shoot-out after a 2-2 deadlock at Mount Temple, while Cork Harlequins' ambitions were fully tested in Dublin by Three Rock Rovers before the Munstermen held on to win only by 3-2.
It is an irony that while the Leinster champions, Pembroke Wanderers, had to concede defeat to Annadale (2-0), newly-promoted Clontarf - with their strong contingent of ex-Pembroke players - have survived.
It was thought that Chris Barnes, the powerful NICS drag-flicker, would give his side the edge but it was only late in extra-time that he beat the inspired Clontarf goalkeeper, Stephen Cairns, to snatch an equaliser.
Dougie Good had cancelled out an early goal by Dave Symmington in normal time. Then the incisive Good put Clontarf 2-1 up before Barnes forced the shoot-out in which he missed his first stroke as Ross McMullen's home team went on to hit the target.
Although Richie Gash gave Harlequins an early lead at Grange Road, they were taken aback by a rash of Three Rock attacks, instigated by Liam Canning.
Stephen Tilson pierced the cover for Christian Judd to equalise but the agility of Wesley Bateman ensured there was to be no further first-half breakthrough by Rovers. Instead, Harlequins played with some composure for David Eakins and David Egner to make it 3-1 at the interval.
When Judd forced home a short corner on the restart, there was renewed anticipation of an upset. Rovers continued to press but Bateman, assisted by Conor Harte, kept the visitors one goal clear to the end.
Harlequins were not amused to be drawn in the last 16 for the fourth time in five years against Glenanne. The venue, though, on January 15th, will be Cork, where C of I will welcome Banbridge. In the solitary Dublin tie, Trinity take on the holders, Instonians.
Ultimately, Monkstown (away to Kilkeel) could be the only Leinster team to reach the the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, Aer Lingus will not surrender easily to Annadale, for whom a goal in each half, by Ian Hamilton and Ian McKeown, sent Pembroke packing.
