Kilkenny head for the drop with colours still flying

ALTHOUGH unable to escape relegation in their first season in the premier division of the Leinster Senior League, Kilkenny managed to achieve their best result of the campaign in taking a point from Railway Union at Park Avenue on Saturday.

Playing with the resolution which had marked their earlier matches in the campaign, Kilkenny deserved their 1-1 draw with the side which had twice beaten the outgoing champions, Pembroke, and had also severely damaged, Avoca's hopes of regaining the title.

Padraig O'Brien put Karl Swan through to give Railway the lead, but Ger Dowling notched an equaliser before the interval. Although Steve Moulton hit a post for the home side in the second half, Kilkenny also had their chances, while Richard Willis ensured that composure remained to the end. Kilkenny may well be back in the top division within a year.

Carlow go down with Kilkenny, an outcome confirmed by the 4-0 victory for visitors Three Rock Rovers at St Leo's. Liam Canning scored a hat trick. Rovers will hardly falter now in their charge for the championship, even if, on paper, Avoca may still be in the reckoning.

Avoca, without Robbie Ryan and Rory Kirwan, showed little punch in their 2-1 defeat of Corinthians at Whitechurch Park. where the extremely agile Gordan Clarke kept out flurries of shots, mainly from a generous number of short corners. Eventually, Trevor Dagg converted a penalty stroke, but a riposte out of the blue by Colin Stewart, called for full throttle by the visitors, and Anton Scott secured the points in a final assault.

Leading 6-0 at halftime at Serpentine Avenue and with Ross McMullen hitting the target four times. Pembroke surged to a 7-0 defeat of Portrane, who had gained valuable ground in mid season, but must now regroup for the next survival challenge. Monkstown, whose seven goals against Weston brought them to the 50 mark in their 16th unbeaten match, are assured of promotion. St Brendan's with UCD going under to Aer Lingus are also poised to return to the top.

. The odds against Instonians winning the Ulster Senior League title shortened considerably when the Belfast team beat Cookstown 2-1 on Saturday.

Although Lisnagarvey won 3-0 at Newry to remain in contention, the champions are seven points behind Instonians with three matches in hand, and Instonians are certain to take the title if they win their three remaining fixtures.