MEN'S HOCKEY: It will be interesting to see if Glenanne, drained of inspiration in their 1-0 defeat by rejuvenated Pembroke Wanderers in the Leinster Senior League on Saturday, can generate a revival in defence of the Mills Cup against the same opponents in today's final at Grange Road.

While one would give no Glenanne player more than a rating of five out of 10 for Saturday's effort at Serpentine Avenue, several of Pembroke's younger figures, notably Ken Treacy and Ronan Gormley (until he was injured), were worthy of eight in the freshness of their performance.

Overall, Pembroke had the sharper cutting edge and, early in the second half, the much involved Peter Long sent Dougie Good through for the goal which dented Glenanne's fading hopes of retaining the league title.

It was a result which brought relief to Three Rock Rovers, whose two strikes by Christian Judd gave them a hard-earned home win over Avoca.

To become champions, though, Rovers may still need four away points (against UCD and Railway Union) in case Glenanne manage to mount a last-gasp surge.

James Benson's final whistle short-corner winner against Railway Union leaves Corinthians in the best position to earn the third spot in the All-Ireland play-offs, but Pembroke, Monkstown and Aer Lingus retain outside chances.

Aer Lingus, with David Bane to the fore, are finishing the season as brightly as they had started. They deserved their 3-1 victory on Saturday over Monkstown, whose next home fixture against Corinthians will be crucial.