Finding sufficient resolve to beat Avoca 1-0 at Belfield on Saturday, Pembroke Wanderers retained their clear lead in the Leinster Senior League but more panache and punch will be needed if they are to make an impact at all-Ireland level.
A full press before half-time yielded the only goal when a shot by Allan Kershaw, an eager fringe attacker, hit a defender's foot on the line for Paudie Carley to sink the penalty stroke.
Apart, though, from several deep thrusts by Devin Donnelly, too few scoring chances were created by Pembroke against a defence in which Stephen Mitchell and Colin Hade were especially positive. While Donnelly and Peter Young responded equally firmly to Avoca's advances, a late short-corner equaliser might well have materialised from David Hanna but for the alertness of Charlie Henderson (his injured brother's 'keeper).
On a suitable day to campaign for indoor hockey, Glenanne continued their charge up the table with a 3-1 win over Three Rock Rovers at Siberian St Mark's where Stephen Butler's hat-trick put him back as the league's leading marksman. He opened the scoring from a first-minute set piece and although Gordan Elliott equalised quickly, Rovers were not stimulated enough without Garry Ringwood and the suspended Alan Bothwell to hold the home side, who led 2-1 at the interval before Butler wrapped up the points from the penalty spot.
Corinthians held onto second place with a 4-1 defeat of YMCA who had not weathered the festivities too well and were missing Michael Fry and Steve McNeill. YM went ahead through Andy Robertson but it was 1-1 by the interval as Colin Stewart started to cut loose before he, too, notched a hat-trick, including a dexterous flick from an acute angle.
Adrian Missen completed the tally for Corinthians, who next weekend will be hosts to Railway Union in a key fixture relating ultimately to a top-three finish. Railway also put in a decisive second-half performance in overpowering a tired Monkstown side 4-0 at Park Avenue.
Despite dynamic approach work by Railway's South African spearhead Graham Berry, chances were wasted in the opening period but after the break Stevie Moulton scored twice following corners before Graham Grumley broke away to increase the margin to be followed by Stephen Jones's first goal for the Sandymount club following his graduation from UCD with Teddy Lynch and Ken Miller.
Railway, out of cup contention, can concentrate on their league bid which includes a back match against Kilkenny and probably a refixed game against Aer Lingus.
Aer Lingus were relieved on Saturday to come away with a point from Kilkenny, who have vacated the bottom place to YMCA. With Niall O'Gorman back to give support to George Williams as well as several new figures, there may yet be a surge from the south-easterners. They took the lead through Williams but Derry Hallinan put away a late equaliser for the Dubliners.
In Ulster, Lisnagarvey and resurgent Cliftonville both profited as several of their rivals in the title race surrendered ground. Leaders Banbridge lost their second successive game when they went under 2-1 at Newry while defending champions Instonians and Annadale drew 1-1 in the match of the day at Olympia.
Lisnagarvey won 5-1 at Bangor while Cliftonville were 2-1 victors at Cookstown, so that pair share top place with Banbridge. Lisnagarvey, though, have two games in hand along with Instonians and Annadale, both of whom remain only a point behind. A late goal by Chris Jackson earned Annadale their share of the spoils after Neil Cooke had given Instonians a first-half lead.
The draw for the fourth round of the Irish Senior Cup (January 23rd) takes place in Dublin tomorrow.
