Three Rock Rovers drafted in reinforcements, notably Rick Johnson and Chuck Walker, to cope with Trinity's challenge in the opening round of the Leinster Senior Cup at Grange Rd on Saturday. This zealous approach proved necessary, for the freshly crowned Universities champions - playing their seventh match within a week - held their seniors 3-3, and, after extra time, lost out only on strokes, 4-2.
In a flurry of goals before the interval, Alistair Cullen slotted home a pass from his brother Ross to fire Trinity ahead. Three Rock, spurred by Liam Canning, hit back immediately with two finishing touches by John Blakeney but Michael Harte supported Charlie Carroll to make it 2-2.
After Ross Varian put Rovers back into the lead early in the second half, a reply by Jamie Hart prolonged the students' resistance until bleariness took its toll in the shoot-out.
Elsewhere, after John Leavey had put Aer Lingus ahead at the Airport, Corinthians prevailed 3-1 with strikes by Colin Ross, Colin Stewart and Murray Smith.
Pembroke Wanderers and Avoca advanced to a prestigious second round meeting in eliminating Eastern Health and Kilkenny by 4-0 and 5-0, respectively.
In Munster, a four-goal tour de force by David Eakins enabled Harlequins to share the points with Cork C of I in a key premier division game at Garryduff.
Derek Hales, Andrew Chambers and Mark Black kept C of I level with a short corner hat-trick by Eakins. Then the home side went ahead for the first time when Darren Hanna combined with Karl Burns to send Richie Dorman through to score. But with two minutes to spare Eakins darted clear to put away a spectacular equaliser. Institute gained a hard earned 3-2 win over Bandon in Limerick.
