The peoples' preference when the Irish Senior Cup semi-final draw is made this morning is that Glenanne and Cork Harlequins will be kept apart on February 24th, as both clubs have yet to carry off the trophy, whereas Dublin YMCA and Avoca (if only once) have savoured success.

It was close to incredible that Pembroke Wanderers, the holders, were beaten (3-2) for the fourth time this season by Glenanne at Serpentine Avenue on Saturday.

Again Pembroke launched a massive surge in the opening quarter, but just once was Justin Sherriff rewarded from an opening by Gordon Elliott. Glenanne stole an equaliser when John Goulding got a snick to a free by Stephen Butler, who then gave his side the lead from a bobbling short corner.

At the start of the second half, Sherriff levelled matters from a drag flick, but it did not provide a boost that might have been expected for Pembroke. Instead, the indefatigible Glenanne veteran Rory O'Donoghue refused to yield anything further at the back, while Alan Browne stoked greater fire in midfield.

The decisive breakthrough came 14 minutes from the end. Paul Fitzpatrick made ground on the left and his delivery into the circle gave Goulding the chance to execute another lightning reflex touch. Although Pembroke, through Alan Giles, penetrated the sea of green to force two last-ditch corners, top-class saves by Ian Clarke denied Sherriff from keeping home hopes alive. Avoca, the 1996 winners, have probably surprised themselves by getting past the quarter-final stage. Yet, they have seven survivors from 1997 European Cup squad with the return of Enda Gallanagh from Australia. He had a hand in both goals by Ezra Handleman and Galahad Goulet in the 2-1 defeat of Trinity at Rathdown, after Christian Judd had put the students ahead from a penalty stroke. It was a close call all the way, though, with Avoca's deputy goalkeeper Robbie Hanna spectacularly foiling Jamie Hart from restoring parity.

Although January player-of-the-month David Bane gave Aer Lingus the lead at Ballinteer, YMCA also came through 2-1 in the third all-Leinster quarter-final. Rob Fox earned a penalty for Eric Gierts to make it 1-1 and Will Powderly volleyed home the winner.

David Eakins and Eddie Gash were the marksmen in Harlequins' 2-0 victory at Newry, leaving Ulster without a semi-finalist for the first time since the open draw came into being.