Sothern strike maintains Pembroke's momentum

Men's Hockey: It was stimulating on Saturday that while Phelie Maguire of Trinity received the Leinster player-of-the-month award for December, quite a few of his contemporaries, who have also bridged the gap from the highest of under-18 levels, continued to make a fresh impact in senior circles.

Notably, Alan Sothern put away the decisive goal for league leaders Pembroke Wanderers in their 2-1 defeat of YMCA while Richie O'Malley, with an unfazed penalty stroke, and Gareth Watkins, with a finely executed reverse-stick strike, earned a 2-2 draw for Monkstown against Three Rock Rovers.

It seemed, though, that YMCA were going to puncture Pembroke's ego at Serpentine Avenue as the visitors led at half-time through a well taken goal by Michael Fry from a powerfully placed ball into the circle from Trevor Dagg.

Furthermore, a stunning save by Ian Walker (another young performer of note) from Simon Kershaw kept the home side at bay until Paddy Conlon's industry yielded an equaliser by Paddy Good, to be followed immediately by Sothern's winner from a pass by Tim Lewis.

Corinthians, physically stronger than Trinity, kept a firm hold on second place by beating the students 4-1 at Whitechurch Park. James Benson, who smashed home the third goal from a Dan Williams cross in a 3-0 first-quarter surge, was the dominant figure.

Glenanne, though without their leading lights, have managed to battle their way into contention for the third all-Ireland berth. It still took some effort, notably by Devin Kehoe and Paul Fitzpatrick, to forge a 4-2 win over UCD, who twice went defiantly into the lead at Belfield through Francis Lee and Dave Storey.

Three Rock Rovers, with Christian Judd netting a late short corner to share the points with Monkstown at Grange Road, remain in the running for a top-three finish.

Aer Lingus are similarly placed, though it was a mixed blessing to share eight goals with Railway Union on Saturday.

In the second division, there is little to stop Clontarf from gaining promotion as Peter Maybury has become even more prolific with the support of John Smith. Nevertheless, Avoca are making a bid for the play-off spot.

Not only has Robbie Ryan reappeared for them on the Dublin scene but Peter Agnew has also registered New Zealand international Andrew Timlin to join fellow Kiwi Vaughan Hartland.