Glennane make top-three claim

Glenanne, in beating fellow challengers Railway Union 3-0 at Tallaght on Saturday, have re-established a strong claim for a top three finish in the Leinster Senior League and a place in the All-Ireland play-offs. Although Stephen Butler was unable to play because of flu, a forceful performance by Paul Fitzpatrick enabled Glenanne to gain control after Graham Berry had missed an early chance for Railway. A free from Fitzpatrick sent Albert O'Donoghue through to yield an opening for John Goulding to give the home side the lead by the interval. Ian Clarke, notably, denied the visitors a reply in the second half as Devin Kehoe (short corner) and Graham Shaw widened the margin for Glenanne, who now have a less demanding run-in than their main rivals.

There could still be everything to play for, though, in Glenanne's last match away to Corinthians, who enhanced their goal difference with a 6-1 defeat of Kilkenny at Whitechurch Park. Avoca might yet hold second place but they have a lot on their plate - indicated perhaps by a mere 1-nil win over YMCA before next weekend's European Indoor Championship assignment in Budapest. Thanks mainly to Neil Quail and Will Powderly, YM conceded only a short corner goal to Galahad Goulet early in the second half. Avoca were glad to have Anton Scott back in action with Budapest in view.

Pembroke Wanderers, though sailing to their fifth title in six years, also prevailed by a solitary goal against Monkstown at Rathdown. Again it was Simon Kershaw who was the marksman as he finished off a thrust by Devin Donnelly and Stephen Stewart 10 minutes after the interval. Allan Kershaw and Colin Kelly gave little away for Pembroke. Now, Nigel Henderson must galvanise his side for next Saturday's Irish Senior Cup visit of Lisnagarvey, whose 4-1 conquest of Banbridge suggests that they will threaten Instonians strongly for the Ulster crown. Only Lisnagarvey are left with a chance of a senior-junior cup double. Their second XI were too powerful for Glenanne II in winning 6-2 in Saturday's quarter finals whereas Instonians II succumbed to giant killers Ballynahinch; Cork C of I II were eliminated by Harlequins II in a shoot-out in the local Derby in Munster. Railway Union II, 4-nil winners against Monkstown II carry Leinster's hopes of the junior trophy staying in Dublin.