WHILE Muckross, with a 1-0 defeat of AHTC Vienna in Germany, have an opportunity of retaining a place in the A division of the European Club Hockey Championships next year, Pembroke Wanderers narrowly failed to reach the final of the men's B division in Prague yesterday.
The Dublin side fought back to earn a 2-2 draw with the hosts, Slavia, in their final pool game, but in the last match of the day, Samara of Russia beat Grange of Scotland 3-2, with a controversial deciding goal coming four minutes from the end.
If that game had ended in a draw, Pembroke would have got through on goal difference to today's final against surprise packets Grammarians of Gibraltar, who beat the tournament favourites Teddington, 3-1, in the other, less evenly balanced pool. So, the Irish representatives have to be satisfied to meet the English side in the third/fourth place play off - and this season's all Ireland winners Instonians must remain at B division level next year.
The Pembroke coach Jonathan Cole felt that his team had performed most encouragingly, particularly in "a fractious match" against the home side. Slavia made the sharper start and took the lead but an equaliser came before the interval from Francis de Rosa following a short corner. Again the Czech side went ahead in the second period but Ross McMullen restored parity from another corner.
For the third match in succession, Turlough O Siochain shipped an injury which meant that Pembroke were not at their strongest in midfield. Ian Battle, though, fought with typical spirit along with Paudie Carley while Simon Watchorn defended well at set pieces and Nigel Henderson had another excellent match in goal.
Having gained a rousing 3-1 victory over Samara on Friday, Pembroke looked capable of defeating Grange on Saturday when Carley opened the scoring but the Scots hit back with two late short corner goals to win 2-1.
In the powerful women's A division tournament in Russelsheim, near Frankfurt, Muckross got off the mark when a late goal from Orla Bell gave the Dubliners victory over the Viennese side.
Muckross therefore finished third in the table and must defeat Lithuanians Siauliai today to achieve a joint fifth place, which would preserve top flight status next year.
Ian Steepe will at least be well versed on the opposition, considering he supervised Randalstown against the same opposition last year in Utrecht when the Ulster side were beaten 1-0.
The Muckross coach will be demanding improvement from his strikers as nine penalty corners were wasted against the Austrians yesterday. However it was from a set piece, seven minutes from the final hooter, that the goal eventually arrived, Bell converting from the penalty spot after an infringement.
On Saturday, Muckross did very well to restrict Kampong to a 2-0 winning scoreline, considering the Dutch champions will be involved in today's gold medal play-off against Slough.
