Glennane triumph in cracking contest

Glenanne survived Corinthians' last match challenge, winning 3-2 in a cracking finale to the Leinster Senior League at Whitechurch…

Glenanne survived Corinthians' last match challenge, winning 3-2 in a cracking finale to the Leinster Senior League at Whitechurch Park, last night, to take second place and earn a berth in the All-Ireland quarter-finals.

Tom Connell deflected Corinthians into the lead from an opening short corner, but Graham Shaw soon equalised with similar dexterity and, within a minute, swept his side into the lead.

Although Robbie Burns made it 2-2 early in the second half, the dynamic Shaw sent John Goulding through to restore Glenanne's lead - and that was sufficient, especially with Ian Clarke in top form.

After four seasons of Leinster successes, Lisnagarvey II rank as favourites to take the Irish Junior Cup back to Ulster when they go to Cork to tackle Harlequins II in tomorrow's final at Garryduff.

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With Jimmy Kirkwood seeking a junior medal to add to the 10 he won at senior level, backed by Brian McQueen from the same incomparable era, Lisnagarvey will have a special incentive. Led by Michael Kidd, they have had a tougher passage to the final.

Yet, Harlequins, if cruising through three undemanding home assignments, are hugely motivated in a bid for a first success at all-Ireland level in the club's sixth appearance in the final.

Johnny Hughes, the captain and bulwark of the side along with Stephen Dale, is among those who have experienced senior cup fare, too, while the incisiveness of Brian Long and David Lombard may well give Eddie O'Leary further opportunities to add to his tally from the earlier rounds.

HARLEQUINS II (squad) - R Shine, M Guerin; E O'Leary, S Scriven, J Hughes capt), B Hayes-Curtin, S O'Donovan, S Nicholson, C Nicholson, B Long, A Daunt-Sheehan, D Deady, E Gash, S Dale, D Lombard, M Dawson.

LISNAGARVEY II (squad) - K Lunn, R Hill; G Lavery, B McQueen, N McKnight, G Bittle, P Walker, M Colvin, A Knox, P Saaughton, J Kirkwood, B Liggett, P Bonar, M Kidd (capt), R Kee, C Quinn.

PATHS TO FINAL (all-Ireland stages) - Lisnagarvey II: bt Pembroke Wanderers II 5-1 (a), bt Banbridge II 2-1 (a), bt Railway Union II 92 (h); Harlequins II: bt Bray 6-0 (h), bt Kilkeel II 8-0 (h), bt Ballynahinch 2-0 (h). Umpires: C McConkey, G Caulwell.

Leinster Senior League: Division One: Corinthians 2 (T Connell, R Burns), Glenanne 3 (G Shaw 2, J Goulding); Three Rock Rovers 4 (R Madeley, L Canning, G Ringwood, C Carroll), Monkstown 1 (G Heger). All Ireland quarter-finals (probable pairings, first named team at home in first leg): Cork C of I (M2) v Lisnagarvey (U1); Avoca (L3) v Harlequins (M1); Annadale or Banbridge (U3) v Pembroke Wanderers (L1); Glenanne (L2) v Instonians (U2). Leinster Schools' Under-12 Cup Final: Taney NS 4 (A Xavier, S Furlong, S Evans 2), Sandford Park 1.