MENS HOCKEY:YMCA'S GOLDEN-goal disposal of Cork Harlequins provided the major shock of the first round of the men's Irish Senior Cup as Trevor Dagg's side earned the big result their pre-Christmas form had been threatening.
Mikey Fry pounced onto a rebound seven minutes into extra-time after Jacob Webber had rattled the crossbar to score the only goal of the day to oust the 2006 champions in Milltown.
It settled a pulsating tie though the Dubliners might have wrapped up the result in normal time had they taken advantage of nine penalty corners.
But former Irish international Jason Black and Dutch goalkeeper Reinout Mensink repelled their advances at every turn.
And the Munster side had the first major chance to steal the tie in extra-time but Dan Hobbs fizzed a drag-flick inches wide of Iain Walker’s goal.
But Fry – one of the few survivors of YM’s 2001 final run – settled the tie with a poacher’s effort and they face a tricky yet winnable tie in Kilkeel in a fortnight’s time in round two.
Monkstown were pushed even further, needing sudden-death penalty strokes to fight off a spirited UCD.
Monkstown were cruising with eight minutes to go, leading 3-1 courtesy of Andy Ewington’s corner double and a sweet reverse strike from Gareth Watkins in the 20th minute.
Robbie McFarlane, though, had other ideas and completed his hat-trick on the final hooter to end normal time at 3-3.
Extra-time produced no winner and nor did the first set of five penalty strokes.
In sudden death, Alec Barrett held his nerve while Dave Fitzgerald saved UCD player-coach John McInroy’s flick to seal the deal.
Elsewhere, results followed the form guide.
Corinthian escaped Railway Union’s clutches with Chris Pelow scoring twice.
Three Rock Rovers were scarcely troubled by Bandon, in a 4-0 win while Pembroke were the big winners. They fired 14 past hapless Bangor with Alan Sothern bagging a half-dozen.
Their progression sets up the tie of the round against Glenanne, a repeat of last season’s epic semi-final.
Fingal drew Lisnagarvey for the fourth time in six years at ALSAA while Three Rock and Corinthian were blessed with home ties against Cookstown and Cork C of I, respectively.
Instonians and Banbridge, meanwhile, will contest an exciting all-Ulster affair.
