Tricky encounter for Corinthians

MEN'S HOCKEY ROUND-UP:IT WOULD be too simple to say Pembroke paid the price for playing a midweek match, when they went down 2-1 to Corinthians on Wednesday night. For the winners it was an important result and shows that, despite Pembroke's heavy artillery of international players, they can be vulnerable.

But evening games are notorious for throwing up odd results, with people working all day, etc. Still, Corinthians did what they were able to do in last season’s Mills Cup and turn over the strongest club in the country, much to the approval of others vying for honours, namely Glenanne.

Corinthians came from behind to win with two goals from Davy Carson and one from Pembroke’s Andy McConnell in a result that should give heart to the others.

It also puts Corinthians on top of the table, and they face Monkstown in Whitechurch tomorrow in a tricky encounter but one they will go into with some momentum.

Monkstown will see the test as one which, if they can win, will keep them in touch with the top three sides in the table.

Glenanne, who are now in fifth place but with only six matches played, also face a challenge from YMCA, who have been a mixed bag this season, while third-placed Three Rock Rovers host Fingal.

On Sunday, the indoor season kicks off in the DCU Sports Hall with 12 matches taking place in the first round. Sixteen teams are competing in this year’s competition with the finals weekend taking place next February. The tournament is made up of four groups of four, with the top two group teams advancing to the finals, which will take place in the National Basketball Arena.

FIXTURES

Saturday – Leinster Senior League – Division One: Clontarf v Railway Union, 3.0, Mount Temple; Three Rock Rovers v Fingal, 1.0, Grange Road; Corinthians v Monkstown, 12.30, Whitechurch; YMCA v Glenanne, 1.0, Alexandra College.

Munster Senior League: Cork Harlequins A v Catholic Institute, 1.30 Farmers Cross; Bandon A v Harlequins B 2.30 Bandon.

Ulster Senior League: Lisnagarvey v Raphoe, 2.30 Comber; Cookstown v Kilkeel, 2.30 Coolnafranky; Annadale v Mossley, 2.30 UUJ; Instonians v North Down, 1.0 Shaws Bridge; Banbridge v Bangor, 2.30 Havelock Park.

Sunday – National Indoor Trophy (DCU): 9.0 Dublin University v Three Rock Rovers; 9.50 Corinthian v UCD; 10.40 Dublin University v Pembroke Wanderers; 11.30 Corinthian v YMCA; 12.20 Dublin University v Galway; 1.10 Pembroke v Three Rock Rovers; 2.0 Clontarf v UCD; 2.50 Galway v Pembroke Wanderers; 3.40 Clontarf v YMCA; 4.30 Galway v Three Rock Rovers; 5.20 Clontarf v Corinthian; 6.10 UCD v YMCA.