C of I remain on course to close 30-year Cup gap

Living up to their role of favourites to capture the Irish Senior Cup for the first time in 30 years, Cork C of I edged out Avoca 2-1 in a quarter-final of the highest technique at Garryduff on Saturday.

Avoca, though going under for the third successive season at this venue, contributed handsomely to a game which would have been worthy of the final of the Nissan-sponsored competition.

The Dubliners were on level terms (1-1) at the interval and threatened to grab the initiative in the third quarter, before the home side's maestro, Alastair Dunne, put away his second and decisive goal five minutes from the final whistle.

Dunne had sent a low drag flick out of Stephen Kinsella's reach in the 13th minute, and he delivered a similar finish to a seventh short corner in a closing thrust in which he had eager support from Neville Foott.

Avoca, though spurred by Paul Derham and Galahad Goulet, were allowed too few opportunities to score against a totally focused defence commanded by Ger Burns. The cover was broken only by a raid in which Derham had a shot stabbed away by Wesley Bateman, but the clearance fell to Nigel Kingston who gave Graham Dowling the opportunity to net the equaliser.

C of I responded with in-depth attacks before half-time, only to be frustrated by defiant saves by Kinsella from Mark Black and Dunne. This, allied to especially diligent defending by Colm Brady, left Avoca with the impetus to exert a full press in the third quarter, but it was without reward as the home defence stood firm and Dunne dropped back to assist Nigel Buttimer in regaining a cutting edge in midfield. There was one scare when Derham sent Goulet free, but Bateman raced to the rescue. Then came the winning surge.

The Munster standard-bearers, along with Lisnagarvey and Annadale, were joined in this evening's semi-final draw (on TV3) by Three Rock Rovers who recovered from a 1-0 half-time deficit to eliminate Glenanne, 3-1, at St Mark's. John Goulding gave Glenanne the lead, but goals by Christian Judd and Ross Varian turned the game round for the visitors and Gordan Elliott sealed victory with a top-quality reverse-stick shot. Runners-up to Instonians last year, Rovers could yet reach the final again in a challenging period in which they are also representing Ireland in Amsterdam at Easter.

Pembroke Wanderers duly wrapped up their third successive Leinster Senior League title by beating Railway Union by two penalties to one in a raw struggle at Park Avenue where Paudie Carley had the misfortune to sustain a severe knee injury, putting him out of yesterday's Irish trials. The heat will be on for both Carley and Peter Young to recover for the all-Ireland playoffs, probably against Banbridge, who amassed a record 14 goals at Mossley's expense in the Ulster championship on Saturday.

Aer Lingus, with Ben McCabe in inspired form, gave themselves a good chance of retaining first-division status in Leinster in defeating YMCA 4-1 at Ballinteer. Unfavourable conditions, injuries and a general toll from Saturday's club matches left national coach John Clarke without a lot of fresh information at Belfield yesterday. He said, though, that some of the younger players were "developing well".

Defences were dominant in the two trial matches in which the Whites beat the Greens 2-1 and 1-0.