HOCKEY MEN'S:AFTER GLENANNE dropped out of the reckoning over the weekend, the contest for the Leinster Division One title is now just a two-team affair, Pembroke Wanderers and Corinthian set for a nervy conclusion to the league season next weekend.
Regardless of what Corinthian take from their two remaining games – against Glenanne and Clontarf the next day – Pembroke, four points clear at the top, will seal the title if they can beat Three Rock Rovers on Sunday.
While Corinthian lost ground on Saturday with a scoreless draw against Rovers, Pembroke took maximum points from their double-header against Monkstown and Glenanne. After going 2-0 up against Monkstown, with goals from Alan Giles and Paddy Conlon, Pembroke endured a tense end to the game after Andrew Ward pulled a goal back.
Glenanne, meanwhile, saw their title hopes fade when they lost 5-3 at home to Fingal, both Stephen Butler and Steven Doran picking up red cards in a “lively” contest. Seven of the goals came in the second half, Fingal going 3-2 down having led 2-0, before scoring three in the last 10 minutes.
If those titles hopes faded on Saturday they ended in Tallaght yesterday when Pembroke beat Glenanne for the second time in the league this season, Alan Sothern scoring twice in a 4-1 win.
Monkstown’s 5-1 defeat of Clontarf yesterday tightened their grip on fourth place, lifting them three clear of YMCA, who beat the same opposition on Saturday, and four ahead of Rovers who have a game in hand.
