MEN'S HOCKEY LEINSTER SENIOR LEAGUE:MONKSTOWN WERE the only side to come away from the weekend with all the points following a truncated schedule in Leinster. Because the Ireland men's team are preparing for the World Cup qualifying event in Argentina, which begins next weekend, there were only three matches in Division One, with UCD drawing 3-3 with Clontarf and YMCA taking something from their meeting with Three Rock Rovers in a 1-1 draw.

There was just one goal in Monkstown’s meeting with Fingal at Rathdown, which finally arrived in the second half after the home side were able to get their short corners working after half-a-dozen attempts.

Finally New Zealander Andy Ewington finished off a well-worked set-piece as Monkstown dominated in the closing phase of the match.

But it was not all the home side’s game, and Fingal were unlucky not to have gone into the break a goal up. On 25 minutes a follow-up from a short corner hit one of the Monkstown bodies on the line. There was some hesitation from the umpires, but the penalty was awarded and Gareth Watkins stepped forward.

But goalkeeper Nigel Grothier was in super form and guessed correctly to save Watkins’ well-placed effort, diving high to his right.

Fingal had several opportunities in the opening 30 minutes and probably had more chances to finish off in the circle than Monkstown, but they were frustrated by a lack of finishing and some deft Monkstown defending.

Finally the home side took more control and were good for the win in a lively match.

The Irish team leaves today for their World Cup qualifying tournament with their first match scheduled for November 14th.

LEINSTER SENIOR LEAGUE: Monkstown 1 (A Ewington) Fingal 0; UCD 3 (J McInroy, B Grogan, R Flannery) Clontarf 3 (T Noonan, L Hayden, R Forrest); YMCA 1 (C Baily) Three Rock Rovers 1 (P Shanahan)