THE resurgent competitive spirit of Leinster hockey was again driven home at Grange Road on Saturday when Pembroke Wanderers II survived a buffeting from Banbridge II to win the Irish Junior Cup final 1-0.
In contrast to the 4-0 defeat by the Co Down side two years ago, Pembroke played defiantly from the start. They withstood early pressure and counter-attacked sufficiently to earn a short corner for Trevor Dunne to deliver a rocket-like shot to the target in the 20th minute.
This goal was a dividend from much practice, yet only one more set-piece opportunity was to come Pembroke's way. Ultimately, Banbridge made the short-corner tally 12-2, forcing eight in the second half as they pushed forward incessantly.
While Norman McGladdery rarely eluded Dave Sullivan, and Ian Wolfe marked Colin Allister as vigilantly as possible, Banbridge came well within range of at least manufacturing an equaliser, especially when Mark Sinnamon joined the assault with Jonto Walker in the tough closing stages. However, not only did Dave Acheson continue to react invaluably between the posts but Chris Stewart gave a storming performance at THREE Rock Rovers, too, felt that it was in order to celebrate as they beat. Corinthians efficiently, by two goals to. nil, to finish their official Leinster Senior League programme undefeated and clear of Avoca. But there remains the possibility that Rovers may still be obliged to play (and take a point from) Railway Union to confirm their right to be champions.
The Leinster Branch management committee meet at Park Avenue tonight to decide whether the Railway-Three Rock back match should still be staged, even though the fixtures committee have awarded the points to Rovers for the non-appearance of their opponents on March 20th.
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