Victories put Banbridge and Monkstown in sight of playoffs

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.