Banbridge and Monkstown confirmed their places in the semi-finals of the Irish Hockey League as they both secured fourth successive wins in Pool B over the weekend in relatively comfortable style.

Davy Carson’s hat trick under-pinned Monkstown’s win in a stunning 9-3 result against Dublin rivals Corinthian at a Whitechurch Park venue they sometimes struggle at.

Initially, that trend looked set to continue as a flurry of early goals saw the game locked at 2-2 after 20 minutes. Carson’s second goal, though, put Town back in front and they scarcely looked back.

A peach of a backhand shot from Peter Caruth combined with goals from David Nolan and Gareth Watkins made it 6-2 with 10 minutes to go. The reds got one back but three goals in the closing two minutes well and truly confirmed Monkstown’s place in the semi-finals.

For Banbridge, Stevie Dowds excellent hat-trick saw them ease past Annadale 4-0 yesterday, confirming they will advance and play hosts to the finals weekend in two weekends’ time.

Pool A is not so clear-cut, though, as Lisnagarvey’s 3-1 win over Three Rock Rovers has given their hopes a real shot in the arm. The sides were level at half-time at Comber Road, with Rovers making much of the running in the third quarter.

But Garvey finished the tie much the stronger while Rovers endured three sin-binnings – the tie ended nine versus eight – and got in front with 16 minutes to go when Timmy Cockram laid up for Daniel Buser to score.

Jonathan Bell then closed out the result.