Leinster's unprecedented situation of having six teams going into this morning's quarter-final draw for the Irish Senior Cup is a dividend from the commitment to competitiveness initiated in the 1990s. Avoca (trophy winners in 1996), YMCA and Trinity achieved particularly gutsy victories in Saturday's fourth round, joining the holders, Pembroke Wanderers, Glenanne and Aer Lingus in the last-eight stage along with Munster's strong contenders, Harlequins, and Ulster's lone survivors, Newry.
Nigel Kingston made a loyal reappearance for Avoca on their trip to Belfast where they eliminated Instonians 4-2 on strokes after a scoreless joust in which Stephen Kinsella, Trevor Dagg and Graham Dowling were outstanding. "The whole team played with great heart," said coach Jonathan Cole.
Trinity repeated their remarkable exploit of two years ago by edging out Banbridge at Havelock Park, this time in a shootout, also by 4-2. Lee Tumilty gave the home side the lead but with Ivor Cribben distinguishing himself in the students' defence, the opportunity remained for Jamie Harte to poach a late equaliser in normal time and then goalkeeper Crawford Deane played a decisive role in twice foiling Banbridge from the penalty spot.
YMCA, as enigmatic as ever, held Lisnagarvey to a scoreless first half at Ballinteer and went on to snatch a 2-1 win. Johnny Bloomfield put last season's beaten finalists ahead from a drag flick but Eric Gierts levelled matters in similar fashion. Subsequently, goalkeeper Greg Keeley crucially survived two one-on-one duels, leaving Sean Southgate to sink a last-minute winner. Keeley, Gierts, Pete Fox and Will Powderly were foremost in this rousing success.
Pembroke, who perhaps fear only Glenanne and Harlequins, were too clinical for Cookstown at Serpentine Avenue, winning 4-0 after being three up at halftime through Justin Sherriff, Gordon Elliott and Trevor Dunne. In the second period, Mike Tijs and Colin Kelly were required to cope effectively with the Ulstermen's efforts before a handsome fourth goal by Devin Donnelly put the gloss on Pemroke's superiority.
Glenanne, without Graham Shaw (injured), were extended by Railway Union before getting through 3-2 in extra time. Gareth O'Meara drove Railway ahead but Mark Lambe and Joe Brennan replied from set pieces for a 2-1 interval lead. Brendan Parsons, however, made it 2-2 and it was only from close range that John Goulding managed to beat Glenn Bailey for the decisive strike.
In the other all-Dublin tie, Aer Lingus played to their full potential in defeating Monkstown 3-1 at the airport. Trevor Parsons and Adrian Sweeney scored smartly to seize a 2-0 lead as the visitors - missing Richard Beere and Ian Allen - were caught on the back foot. Alastair Murdoch managed to reduce the arrears from a penalty but Eamonn Bane sealed the issue from a short corner.
At Stormont, Harlequins were two down to lively NICS before levelling at 2-2 and winning 4-3 with John Ahern again proving a significant asset. Newry, coached by John Clarke and with Errol Lutton to the fore, overpowered North Down 5-1.
