Hendersons to the fore

Anthony O'Neill, in whose memory a minute's silence was deeply observed at Saturday's Leinster league matches, would have enthused over the richness of the day's activity - even if, of his old clubs, Three Rock Rovers were the only winners (3-2 against Avoca).

The former international goalkeeper would have relished particularly the high standard of net- minding at Serpentine Avenue, where the performance of one of his protegΘs, Charlie Henderson of Corinthians, was emulated, naturally, by Nigel Henderson between the Pembroke posts.

Pembroke, with Gordon Elliott creating the openings for Stephen Stewart and Paddy Good to put away first-half goals, deserved their 2-0 victory because they were constantly on the move. The midfield sector of Byron Dunne, Devin Donnelly and Ronan Gormley was especially lively.

There were several passages, though, just before and after half-time, when Corinthians could have made a greater impact. First, James Benson barely failed to reduce the deficit, and then a thrust by Colin Ross should have yielded a penalty stroke, before a flurry of short corners engineered by Colin Stewart were repulsed.

Pembroke are now back within a point of Glenanne, who after leading Aer Lingus 3-0 through strikes by John Goulding (2) and Stephen Butler with 15 minutes to go at St Mark's, had to settle for a 3-3 draw. In a remarkable rally by the visitors, David Bane (2) and Eamonn Bane replied defiantly from corners.

Against the odds, too, both universities came from behind as Trinity - despite a three-goal haul by Ian Allen - beat Monkstown in a 6-5 goalfest at Santry while UCD gained their first points in defeating YMCA 4-2 at Belfield, where Garry Ryan notched a hat-trick. This exploit was also achieved by Peter McConnell in the defeat of Avoca at Rathdown.