HOCKEY:CORINTHIAN and Pembroke Wanderers top their pools after the second round of matches in the Irish Hockey League, Corinthian picking up a bonus point from their 3-0 victory away to Annadale and defending champions Pembroke beating Leinster League leaders YMCA with a goal six minutes from time.
The two Munster clubs in the competition had mixed fortunes on Saturday, Cork Harlequins suffering their second defeat in as many games when a late Dermy Reay goal clinched the points for Banbridge at Havelock Park.
Church of Ireland, though, had a successful trip north, a John Jermyn hat-trick helping them to a 3-2 win over Cookstown.
Lisnagarvey, second in Pool A behind Corinthian, maintained their one-point lead over Glenanne by drawing 3-3 with the Leinster side in Tallaght, although they might yet rue failing to capitalise on their two-man advantage in the closing stages of the game.
Glenanne led twice in the tie, through an own goal and an Eddie O’Malley strike, but Timmy Cockram levelled both scores before Mark Daniel gave the visitors the lead in the third quarter.
Despite having two men in the sin bin Glenanne still managed to snatch an equaliser, Shane O’Donoghue’s reverse stick effort securing them the draw.
Meanwhile, two first-half goals in three minutes, from Lucas Piccioli and Chris Pellow, sent Corinthian on their way to victory over Annadale, Neil Young completing the scoring in the fourth quarter.
In Pool B, Pembroke twice had to come from behind against YMCA, Jethro Eustace and Mick O’Connor cancelling out Jonny Bruton and Andy Walker’s goals by the 40th minute.
They completed the turnaround in the 64th minute, Paddy Conlon deflecting home a cross from the right.
Monkstown moved up to second in the pool with a 6-3 defeat of Instonians, goals from Gareth Watkins (two) and Andrew Ward giving them a 3-1 half-time lead.
Another Ward effort and further scores from Billy McEnery and Brian Groves ensured they held on to their three-goal advantage, enough to secure them a bonus point.
