This may not be a year of exceptional vintage in hockey circles, but it is developing into a season of wide-ranging competitiveness, not only in the revamped All-Ireland club championship but also in the Irish Senior Cup in which there was the rarity on Saturday of four Leinster sides reaching the quarter-finals.
To add to the season's climax, Italy have invited Ireland to send a squad to tune up on the European Championship pitch in Padua at Easter.
The fourth round of the Nissan-sponsored cup yielded a predictable mix of score-lines, without any surprises and leaving only the strongest teams in the last eight. Avoca particularly played unflinchingly to edge out Banbridge 2-1 at Ballsbridge.
The Ulster-men took an early lead through David McAnulty following a short corner, but Avoca put on sufficient pressure for Nigel Kingston to equalise before the interval. David Hanna registered the winner with a powerful drag flick seven minutes from the end. Banbridge, though, attacked in greater numbers and were repulsed only by the most forthright of defending by Trevor Dagg and Paul Derham.
Pembroke Wanderers, too, needed the utmost resolve to beat Harlequins, 1-0, in Cork. Simon Kershaw put away the goal after 23 minutes, and although Michael Tyjs had to replace Peter Young at an early stage, Pembroke managed to prevent Harlequins getting in behind the back four, leaving Nigel Henderson to cope expertly with direct shots, notably from Dave Eakins in the second half.
Three Rock Rovers proved too accomplished for Mossley at The Glade, winning 4-1, with Liam Canning and Charlie Carroll providing the finishing touches. While Monkstown went under to Annadale, 3-2, at Lough Moss, they fought back spiritedly after John Stephens and Peter Bland had given the home side a 2-0 lead after just five minutes.
Justin Sherriff surged free to make it 2-1 by half-time, and although Stephen Galway restored Annadale's two-goal margin, Sherriff sent Greg Heger through to reduce the leeway again.
Glenanne's 6-3 win over YMCA in the all-Dublin tie at Ballinteer was unusually wide open for a cup match, with twists and turns for most of the way. Michael Fry lashed YM ahead in an opening raid before Graham Shaw bored his way through the cover at the other end for John Goulding to level matters. Albert O'Donoghue then nipped through to score twice, but YM responded for Will Powderly to leave it at 3-2 by the interval.
Roly O'Donoghue forced a penalty stroke for Stephen Butler to convert early in the second half for 4-2, yet the home side hit back again through Greg Van Strydonck. Glenanne then managed to pull clear with neat goals by Frankie Byrne and Roly O'Donoghue, though, in between, Rob Fox sent a penalty against the metalwork.
Among the cup favourites, Instonians had to fight all the way at Olympia to shake off Cliftonville, 3-2. Stephen Magee had twice seized the lead and was barely wide with a shot which would have earned extra time after Nigel Cooke, Paddy Brown and Mark Irwin had scored for the holders. Lisnagarvey finished 5-1 winners against Raphoe at Omagh, while Cork C of I displayed their capabilities with a 10-0 defeat of Aer Lingus at Garryduff.
The draw next week for the quarter-finals on February 20th will leave no team taking prisoners.
