MEN'S HOCKEY: PATRICK GOOD'S goal five minutes from time kept Pembroke's dream of a third successive Irish Hockey League title alive as they snatched a last-gasp win over Monkstown.
In so doing, they are through to the finals weekend in May, joined from Pool B by Banbridge who left their qualification equally late, getting the better of YMCA 4-2.
Qualifying for the semi-finals this year represents a major achievement for Pembroke whose year has been afflicted by the movement of internationals to abroad. With talisman Paddy Conlon also out for the rest of the season and their South African contingent not renewing visas for the second half of the season, many had written off the Ballsbridge club’s chances.
Indeed, they lost heavily twice to Monkstown in the past month and last week’s 6-2 turnover by Banbridge suggested they were dead and buried. But Maurice Elliott handed the hosts an early lead from close range as the Town – just two days after breaking a 23-year trophy duck on St Patrick’s Day in the Mills Cup – struggled out of the blocks.
Elliott thought he had his second, too, but a malfunctioning hooter signalling the end of the first quarter was not heard by the on-field umpires nor the players, leaving the goal to be belatedly chalked off. Andy Ewington – the sky-blues cup final hero – equalised before half-time with a drag-flick. His side remained on terms for a result which would have seen his side advance until deep into the fourth quarter.
But Keith Crawford’s cross wreaked havoc in the circle and Good’s second attempt bundled the ball over the line and was awarded despite Monkstown’s vehement protestations that he had used his body in the lead-up.
Banbridge had a similarly late goal to thank for their second IHL semi-final berth, Simon Magowan’s reverse grabbing a 4-2 win at Havelock Park, ending YMCA’s maiden involvement in the competition. It gave Banbridge the edge over Monkstown in the group shake-up on goal difference. Their young side fell behind to Marcus Richardson’s goal in the seventh minute but a Bruce McCandless double and one from Josh Moffett put the Co Down side on the precipice at 3-2 up before Magowan struck. Pool A was a more straightforward affair as Glenanne and Lisnagarvey picked off 4-1 wins over Cookstown and potential qualifiers Corinthian, respectively. Glenanne needed to come from behind, Andy Barbour putting Cookstown one-up. But the Tallaght side were re-energised after the interval with Filip Jaros, Gary Shaw and Shane O’Donnoghue all registering goals
Lisnagarvey, meanwhile, ended Corinthian’s run with a 4-1 win, Greg Thompson and Andy Forrest bagging doubles. Chris Pelow’s goal had briefly made it 1-1 in the first quarter but the Hillsborough side pulled clear to end the Reds’ interest in the competition.
Lisnagarvey will play Pembroke in the semi-finals, pitting brothers Jason and Karl against each other in a repeat of last year’s final, while Glenanne play Banbridge – another match with pedigree following their 2009 semi-final.
