Pembroke back on top after draw

Men's Hockey: THREE ROCK ROVERS hit eight goals past Bray to go level at the top of the Leinster Senior League, but their exalted status lasted only overnight as Glenanne drew 1-1 with Pembroke at Glenanne Park yesterday, a result which puts Pembroke again on top.

On a cold afternoon in Tallaght, the home side provided most of the goalmouth action in the first half, but Pembroke went into the break a goal up and very thankful for it.

After Stephen Butler had forced Pembroke goalkeeper David Harte to pad away a drill from the crown of the circle, and John Goulding stuck his stick in from a cross, again forcing Harte into scrambling action, it seemed just a matter of time before Glenanne would take the lead.

Glenanne, more penetrative to Pembroke's phased play, set the early pace. A series of corners, one of which was converted after the umpire had blown for a Pembroke infringement, sent the home side into a storm of protest, but Glenanne pressure should have yielded more than outrage.

Then, from defending on the back foot, Pembroke swept upfield with striker Justin Sherriff on the ball. He drew across the defence and goalkeeper to set up John McInroy for a simple sweep into an unguarded net for 1-0.

That was just minutes before half-time, and, although far from disheartened, Glenanne looked a little anxious.

But the anxiety was allayed shortly after the break. Following another Glenanne short corner, Eddie O'Malley pounced on the ball from the breakdown. Pivoting in the circle, a reverse stick slap from just outside the penalty spot equalled the scoring.

Pembroke came more into the game throughout that period, but both teams left feeling that maybe the draw was a fair result.