Monkstown and Banbridge look like they can already start planning their Irish Hockey League finals weekend, as third successive wins in pool B have put them a massive eight points clear of the chasers and virtually assured of progression to the playoffs.

Town were made to work for their four points on Saturday, falling behind to Cork C of I, for whom Stephen Sweetnam scored early on and were only fully beaten in the last quarter of their tie at Garryduff.

Bann’s win over Corinthian followed a similar pattern. . The first half ended 2-1 before the Down side raced clear to win 7-2, with Stevie Dowds’s double leading the charge.

UCD moved from sixth to third place in the group after a a 3-0 win over Annadale.