Monkstown in formidable form

MEN'S HOCKEY:MONKSTOWN TOOK the initiative in Pool A of the Irish Hockey League over the weekend and dished out a fairly comprehensive mauling to Ulster visitors Instonians at Rathdown. The 4-0 win earned the Leinster side a useful bonus point and keeps them ahead in their pool in the opening matches at the weekend.

Two-nil up at half-time, Monkstown never conceded ground with the two second-half goals ensuring them the honour of being the only victorious Leinster team of the five that played.

Glenanne came back from 2-0 down at half-time in Farmers Cross against Cork Harlequins to draw level, Dan Hobbs getting the home side on the scoreboard after a ninth-minute penalty corner and scoring again after 34 minutes.

Gary Shaw’s flicked goal in the third quarter made it 2-1 and seven minutes later Jonathan Kane beat goalkeeper Chris Daunt for the equaliser to ensure a share of the points.

Three goals from Ian Sloan helped Cookstown beat Banbridge 4-2 to ensure the former hold second place on the table.

In Pool B, YMCA and Three Rock Rovers were beaten in their opening matches while Pembroke came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Church of Ireland in Serpentine Avenue.

John Jermyn and Gary Wilkinson gave the visitors a 2-0 lead before Gordon Elliott hit back for 2-1 and Alan Sothern levelled with a reverse shot from play for the teams to share the points.

Peter McConnell’s strike for Rovers was not enough against doughty Annadale, who went a goal up after only nine minutes before Tizian Peukert made it 2-0. McConnell’s penalty corner closed the gap but Rovers couldn’t get the leveller in the pouring rain.

A goal in the first quarter from Andy Forrest earned Lisnagarvey a narrow win over YMCA. The home side had the better of the later exchanges but YM goalkeeper Ian Walker’s heroics helped keep the Ulster side at bay.