Pembroke Wanderers and Instonians, the two most accomplished sides left in the Nissan-sponsored Irish Senior Cup, have been kept apart in the draw for the quarter-finals - but both will treat their away assignments on February 21st against Corinthians and Raphoe with the utmost respect.
While Pembroke only go to Whitechurch Park for their all-Dublin pairing, this has been a venue where they have been vulnerable in recent years and where the holders Lisnagarvey were sent packing three weeks ago by well-organised Corinthians, who have become one of the most buoyant teams in Leinster.
Furthermore, in the course of their 2-1 third-round defeat of Monkstown at Rathdown on Saturday, the number of Australians in Corinthians' ranks was increased to four as Duncan McCleary appeared in midfield when the captain Tom Connell retired through injury. Apparently, McCleary, who has played state hockey for Victoria, found his new club on the Internet. He defended valuably when Monkstown tried to get back on terms late in the game, which was one of the most pleasurable of the season for a large attendance.
Monkstown resisted with much pride, attacking promisingly and defending stoutly, with their longest serving figure, Alastair Murdoch, volunteering to mark the swiftest and most lethal striker in the province, Colin Stewart.
Stewart rarely got away from the vigilant Murdoch but the Tasmanian took the opportunity from a short corner to rifle Corinthians into the lead in the 31st minute. Then, although Richard Beere equalised from a smartly-worked set-piece connection involving Justin Sherriff, early in the second half, Australian pressure yielded the winner. A shot by Stewart was parried by Glenn Bailey but James Benson dispatched the loose ball to its destination.
Another quarter-final to relish will be Three Rock Rovers' home tie against Harlequins. While Rovers used their resources effectively to beat Bangor 4-1 at Grange Road on Saturday, they will find it extremely testing to shake off Munster's sole survivors. Harlequins were 2-0 down to Belvedere with six minutes to play at Ballincollig but managed to win 3-2. Jason Black saved them with a last-gasp penalty stroke and then notched the decisive goal in extra time.
The Trinity-Parkview tie at Belfield was also prolonged to 100 minutes but, without either side being culled at 2-2, they will meet again at Valley Leisure Centre in a fortnight's time.
Annadale, who beat Cliftonville 4-2, may fancy their chances against the winners, yet Trinity again performed resolutely, with Stephen Bredin and Greg Dunne playing with notable vigour. They helped to match the sturdy presence of Parkview's three Harvey brothers - numbers 2, 4 and 6 - Paul, Michael and skipper Simon, who poached a late equaliser after it seemed that Jason Milne had pushed the students through.
While Pembroke predictably were the day's top scorers, with defender Colin Kelly hitting one of the six goals on their trip to North Down, there was also a comfortable 4-0 victory for Raphoe against RUC at Omagh. It is likely that the Donegal side will revert to their blaize surface to take on clinical Instonians, who edged out Cookstown 2-0, with Neil Cooke and Paul Hollway showing their international prowess.
