Fate has dealt another unsympathetic hand to Ulster clubs in the Irish Senior Cup. Again, the province's two strongest sides have been drawn against each other in the quarter-finals on February 12th and indeed from this pairing - Lisnagarvey v Instonians - it is virtually certain that the province's only survivors for the semi-finals will emerge.
Second-division Kilkeel can have little hope of further progress from their trip to Cork Harlequins (conquerors of Banbridge) while North Down also face daunting opposition in Dublin against Pembroke Wanderers. Overall, Munster followers have most to relish from Saturday's draw, for the holders, Cork C of I, must feel sufficiently robust to send Avoca packing for the third time in five seasons.
In the Junior Cup, too, Munster retain hopes of completing last year's double, for Harlequins II, in defending the trophy stoutly, are at home to Glenanne II on February 19th while emerging Bandon are hosts to Banbridge II. Carrying Leinster ambitions are an illustriously-equipped Three Rock Rovers brigade, for whom skipper David Sterritt will welcome his fellow-Donegalmen, Raphoe II, to Grange Road. Also, Railway Union II, having come through the previous round at Lisnagarvey, will require respect from Annadale II in Belfast.
One of the teams to draw most encouragement from the weekend were Pembroke, whose "golden goal" defeat (21) of Glenanne in the Mills Trophy quarter-final was followed by the news of neophyte North Down's forthcoming visit to Serpentine Avenue.
While the Leinster league laurels may be conceded to Glenanne, Pembroke seem to be peaking towards some success at cup level. They started positively with Paudie Carley putting away a penalty stroke after Gordon Elliott had his stick chopped and then Justin Sherriff hit a post before Glenanne asserted themselves to some degree. Stephen Butler, after firing several shots narrowly wide, was rewarded with an equaliser on the halftime whistle.
Pembroke, though, carried the greater momentum for the remainder of the game - even if was not until the second segment of extra-time that Alan Giles forced home the winner following a thrust by Sherriff.
The tie at Whitechurch Park was also closely contested before Corinthians edged out Three Rock Rovers, 3-2. The home side merited their one-goal interval lead, seized by Colin Stewart, but Rovers forged ahead in a purple patch with Alan Bothwell striking twice. However, Robbie Burns equalised with some verve and the irrepressible Stewart notched the decisive score.
Sean O'Hare has some satisfaction in netting a goal for Weston, but Railway Union came through with five in reply. In league fare, the second division leaders, Trinity, lost for the first time, going under 3-2 on their excursion to Kilkenny.
