Pembroke look to be the force

HOCKEY: With early warning signs flashing, all but Pembroke seem capable of at least conceding goals this season. Two surprises over the weekend revolve around Corinthians and Glenanne. Corinthians, not unexpectedly, lost to Pembroke but more easily than anticipated, and Glenanne suffered quite the shock of the weekend against Monkstown.

Glenanne, now without Stephen Butler, might have lost more than they bargained for with the Irish midfielder taking off to Belgium. They will say Butler doesn't make a team, but to concede three goals to Monkstown must make the side nervous about taking on Pembroke.

For Monkstown, it has been quite their best result for some time, with a penalty adding to Cliff Baily's two goals giving them a one-goal margin over Graham Shaw's two for the Tallaght side. It was Monkstown's first victory of the season after three matches, while Pembroke grabbed their third win from three in typically dominant fashion.

Corinthians failed to hold Duggy Good (two), Maurice Elliott and Gordon Elliott in a four-goal spree, a margin that now gives Pembroke 11 goals from three games.

They continue to share maximum points with Three Rock Rovers and Aer Lingus, who nipped past the UCD students at Belfield, in the home side's first match. Aer Lingus and Rovers share similar points differences, Rovers hitting three against YMCA. Christian Judd, with two goals, and Gary Ringwood helped the home side to the 3-0 win in an extremely encouraging start.

At Rathdown, Avoca suffered their second defeat, this time to Railway Union, who dominated and hit six goals. Paul O'Brien, still a force around the middle of the park, helped himself to a hat-trick.

LEINSTER SENIOR LEAGUE - Division One: Avoca 1 (J Bredin), Railway Union 6 (P O'Brien 3, K O'Brien, B Parsons, K Lynch); Glenanne 2 (G Shaw 2), Monkstown 3 (C Baily 2, I Allen pen); Pembroke Wanderers 4 (D Good 2, G Elliott, M Elliott), Corinthians 0; Three Rock Rovers 3 (C Judd 2, G Ringwood), YMCA 0; UCD 0, Aer Lingus 1 (A Sweeney). Division Two: Skerries 1, Weston 1; St Brendan's/Phoenix Park 0, Dublin University 0; Naas v Portrane (postponed); Clontarf 4, St James Gate 2; Suttonians 1, Bray 2.

MUNSTER SENIOR LEAGUE - Division One: Bandon 1 (B Long), UCC 0; Harlequins 10 (E Gash 5, D Eakins 2, P Lombard 2, J Hobbs), Belvedere 0; Galway 0, C of I 6 (A Dunne 2, K Burns, J Jermyn, N Buttimer, D Hales); C of I II 8 (G Gault 3, S Parker 2, S Nicholson pen, N Foote, A Wilson), Catholic Institute 0; Limerick 3 (R Ryan, S Connell, A Grey), Harlequins II 1 (R Gash).