Three Rock defy critics

Youthful, eager Three Rock Rovers defied the critics to relish by far their most successful weekend of the Leinster league campaign. They started in crushing Corinthians 5-2 on Saturday and this was embellished yesterday at Serpentine Avenue as a last strike by Mark Henderson earned a 2-2 draw with the all-Ireland champions, Pembroke Wanderers.

Playing into a strong, sinking sun in the opening half, Rovers conceded goals to Stephen Stewart and Dougie Good as Pembroke put on most of the pressure. But, with Ross Harris to the fore, Three Rock remained in contention and stormed into the attack in the second period.

Although it seemed that Paudie Carley and Duncan McKeen had stemmed the tide, a late thrust involving John Blakeney and Colin Huet created an opportunity for Stephen Bredin to slot home a shot from an acute angle to reduce the deficit with three minutes left.

Then, following a fierce offensive, a penalty corner was forced as the final whistle sounded, allowing the composed Henderson to sink the equaliser.

At Whitechurch Park on Saturday, Rovers made a whirlwind start against Corinthians as they surged into a 4-0 lead in the opening quarter. Henderson, setting the tempo from the outset, put away the first goal from a corner and set pieces continued to be richly rewarded as Graham Dowling, Huet and Peter McConnell built up the tally from first or second phases.

Colin Campbell having saved Corinthians from further damage, the home side rallied in the second half for James Benson and Colin Stewart to reply before Henderson left the outcome in no doubt.

Pembroke overwhelmed Trinity 6-0 later in the afternoon but in taking merely a point from Rovers, they find themselves level at the top of the table with Glenanne, who have a game in hand.

Glenanne broke Monkstown's resistance with three first-half goals at St Mark's. John Goulding opened the account and then a lively entrance by Roly O'Donoghue yielded a penalty stroke for Stephen Butler to convert, following which O'Donoghue scored himself after a shot by Graham Shaw had been parried.

In the preliminary skirmishes in the Irish Senior Cup, Clontarf were the only Dublin club to survive. They met stoic resistance from the RUC (PSNI) at Glasnevin and failed with two penalties before Peter Maybury found an opening for Adam Brafield to put away the solitary goal with three minutes to spare.