THE IHU communications centre on Saturday was in the Railway Union cyber-cafe where the afternoon's results surged in not only via Cable & Wireless and the grapevine but by a special messenger (and umpire) Fiacra Tierney who had dashed back from Carlow.

Here, the home brigade had beaten Trinity 2-0 in the Mills Cup but what really prompted an extra round for all the communicators was the news that a contemporary figure, David Nolan, Carlow's president, secretary, treasurer, coach and manager, had been obliged to tog out himself because of depleted forces and scored the opening goal - his first at senior level. "It was just a tap-in from a yard and a half from Gordan Peppard's pass - but I had to beat the goalie all the same," said the veteran mentor last night.

Nolan's goal, though, wasn't the first of the day in Leinster. This, fell to young Simon Kershaw as Pembroke Wanderers hit three in the opening three minutes against Aer Lingus who nevertheless were encouraged by their second-half performance as Adrian Sweeney converted a penalty stroke before Stephen Stewart ultimately made it 5-1 for the home team.

The most keenly contested Senior Cup game was at Park Avenue where Railway Union needed extra time to shake off Monkstown (2-1). Railway, with Padraig O'Brien being particularly competitive, dominated the first half and scored through a dextrous flick from Stephen Moulton just on half-time.

Chris Beere, however, spurred Monkstown into a more incisive response which yielded an equaliser when David Jenkins combined with Cliff Bailey for Justin Sherriff to deliver the finishing touch. But in additional time the home side showed that they are a step or two up the ladder in attacking strongly for Moulton to have his stick chopped and Paul O'Brien put away the penalty.

The holders, Glenanne, played resolutely to defeat Corinthians, 3-1, with Stephen Butler notching two of the goals, while under-strength Avoca were pleased with their sharpness in the circle as they eliminated YMCA, 4-1.

Enda Gallanagh, who scored twice, has become the leading marksman for the Blackrock side along with set-piece specialist Trevor Dagg. New Zealander Paul Derham was also on the target for the visitors who, though, were pegged back to 2-1 at one stage when Jan-Willem Findalter broke through for YM.

There has been much sympathy for Avoca's injured for Anton Scott, who has spent a week, in hospital following what seemed merely to be a pulled muscle but which has needed surgery instead. His place in the Leinster squad for the Interprovincial Championship at Blaris next weekend goes to Paudie Carley of Pembroke.

It appears that Three Rock II, Glenanne II and Corinthians II, carry Leinster's sturdiest hopes in the Irish Junior Cup following the last 32-stage. The holders, Pembroke II, had not expected to go far - and went out, 2-1, at Newry.