MEN'S HOCKEY: At least most of us still have the freedom at weekends in Dublin to choose between recreation and sickening consumerism, so it was gladdening on Saturday to steer clear of Dundrum to attend the Mills Cup semi-finals at Grange Road, writes Dermot Ashmore

In reaching the final against Corinthians on St Patrick's Day, it turned out to be a blend of maturity and youthful sharpness that earned Glenanne their 2-1 win over unlucky Monkstown. Indeed, in the absence of several established figures, it was the O'Malley brothers, Eddie Jnr and Kevin, supported by Gary Shaw, who made the all-important strikes.

In an opening attack, Eddie O'Malley got a touch to a free to poach the lead, which ought to have been extended. However, chances went astray, in addition to which Ian Horsfield was particularly steadfast in the Monkstown defence. There was always the threat, too, that Gareth Watkins would notch an equaliser, which he duly did from a short corner early in the second half.

Alan Browne, though, ensured that Glenanne maintained the greater momentum. Furthermore, Nazir Munir became menacing with his subtle touches up front. Yet it was Monkstown who almost snatched victory. Seconds before the final normal-time whistle, Brian Groves stole clear, giving Simon Cox the chance to make a lightning deflection which, it seemed, scorched just off the target.

So the issue had to be decided by a "golden goal" - and this fell to Glenanne when Kevin O'Malley connected with a shot from Mark Lambe which was drifting wide.

The second game was more straight-forward as Corinthians held onto a 2-0 half-time lead against YMCA. A left-flank Wallaby thrust by Sam Walcher and Phil Merriman yielded an early goal for Merriman, who widened the margin in the 35th minute from a James Benson short-corner teaser.