MEN'S HOCKEY:MONKSTOWN'S INCREDIBLE late salvo against Banbridge on Saturday means there will be four clubs vying for a single Irish Hockey League semi-final spot in the final round of Pool A groups games in a fortnight's time.
Having trailed by two goals for the vast majority of their tie at Rathdown, Monkstown rallied to score three times in the final quarter – twice in the last three minutes – to triumph 4-3.
Scott Forbes and Ross McCandless’ goals had Banbridge cruising in the first quarter. New Zealander Andy Ewington scored his 25th goal of the season to close the gap but Hugh McShane restored the margin before three-quarter time.
However, a stirring fightback was inspired by Monkstown’s talisman Gareth Watkins who scored a corner goal and a superb individual effort to tie the game up with just over two minutes remaining.
And Andrew Ward popped up to steal the win with scarcely 10 seconds remaining.
Pembroke had earlier in the day wrapped up the group with a 3-0 win over Leinster rivals Corinthian with Alan Sothern’s drag-flick, Gordon Elliott’s sweet reverse-stick goal and an Andy McConnell close-range effort sealing a bonus-point win.
But, below them, four sides are covered by just two points in the battle for second place.
Belfast’s Instonians 3-1 win over eliminated Cork Harlequins means they are now in pole-position to take second spot but must outdo Corinthian in Dublin who lie a point back.
Banbridge take huge interest in that tie and will hope to apply the pressure when they travel to Harlequins while Monkstown still have a fighting chance but need to beat Pembroke.
Pool B looks slightly more clear-cut though no one has progressed just yet. Glenanne’s lively 3-2 win in Tallaght against Lisnagarvey, in combination with Cork C of I and Cookstown’s 3-3 draw, means the former pairing are just a point away from reaching the semi-finals.
Lisnagarvey still lead the way, courtesy of a losing bonus point garnered despite trailing 2-0 at half-time. A brilliant Jason Lynch-inspired strike from the stick of Mark Raphael and a Johnny Gray rebound – both scored while the Glens were down to 10 men – tied the game up at 2-2.
But Ireland’s record goalscorer Stephen Butler fired in a drag-flick to remember to steal the laurels with five minutes remaining.
Cork C of I let a winning position slip to allow Colin Donaldson equalise for Ulster champions Cookstown to be virtually eliminated. The Co Tyrone outfit need a big win over Three Rock Rovers in their final fixture and help from elsewhere if they are to jump into the top two. Rovers completed the weekend with a dour 1-0 win over Annadale at Jordanstown.
