Saturday's Leinster Senior League matches have left the relegation issue wide open. Notably, Trinity's 5-1 defeat of Avoca at Santry gives the students a stout lifeline and puts Avoca into a vulnerable position, though clear of Railway Union and Aer Lingus with a game in hand.
Trinity still have the most demanding finishing programme but they defended tenaciously and counter attacked effectively against Avoca to lead 2-0 at the interval. Although Trevor Dagg reduced the arrears, Michael Harte got the home side moving again and they pulled away for Gareth Hinds and Christian Judd to add to their first-half goals with Ivor Cribben completing the tally.
Both Railway Union and Aer Lingus played with total determination before losing by narrow margins, 2-0 and 2-1 respectively, to the top pair, Pembroke Wanderers and Glenanne.
At Serpentine Avenue, Railway allowed Pembroke to plunder only a classic goal in each half from Gordon Elliott and Justin Sherriff. Although Colin Kelly (who is off to Australia next month and will miss the all-Ireland play-offs) and Ken Treacy were particularly alert at the back for the probable champions, several counter thrusts by the visitors were worthy of a reply. Steve Jones was unfortunate to snick crosses by Brendan Parsons inches off the target while Graham Grumley was foiled by the sharpest of saves by Stephen Doran.
Eamonn Bane poached an equaliser for Aer Lingus at the airport after Graham Shaw had connected with a free from Stephen Butler to give Glenanne the lead. Butler and Shaw combined in the second half to set up Mark Lambe to put away the winner, though the home side went close to snatching a point.
Olly Close continued his scoring exploits for Corinthians, adding a hat-trick in the 4-2 win over YMCA at Whitchurch Park to the five goals he had notched against Naas in the Mills Cup semi-final.
Although Monkstown outplayed Three Rock Rovers (3-0) at Rathdown, a top-four place is now probably the most they can achieve. Ali Murdoch opened their account and then had a hand in a double strike by Simon Cox.
With Portrane being held to a scoreless draw by Weston, UCD (now spurred by Ger Butler) are back in a favourable position to take top spot in Division Two.
