Men's Hockey Weekend round-up: Although the 5-3 scoreline might indicate a spectacular affair, Pembroke Wanderers generated only occasional surges of power in their defeat of closest rivals Corinthians in their Leinster Senior League summit meeting at Whitechurch Park on Saturday.
Dan Williams lashed Corinthians into an early lead after Robbie Byrnes had struck the crossbar but Pembroke, with awakening thrusts by Paddy Good, drifted into a comfortable 3-1 position by the interval. Paddy Conlon put away the equaliser and Justin Sherriff then added two finishing touches, the second of which was of vintage quality.
The second half became rather aimless until the closing stages flared into life. A finely angled pass by Colin Stewart enabled Williams to score his second goal to make it 2-3 but Pembroke responded with a swift move from the back for Conlon to restore the safety margin.
It was really too late when Aaron Clausen again reduced the Corinthians deficit and a short-corner conversion by Simon Kershaw on the final whistle left Pembroke a little flattered by their tally.
In the similar 5-3 outcome to the other most significant game of the day, Three Rock Rovers recovered from arrears of 0-2 and 2-3 to beat Aer Lingus at ALSAA.
It was not surprising that Eamon Bane, David Bane and Derek O'Gorman were on the target for the home side but Charlie Carroll and Peter McConnell each scored twice for Rovers with a fifth goal coming from striker Michael Yeats.
Rovers, defending their title, are now in joint second place with Corinthians, four points behind Pembroke.
The preliminary stages of the Irish Senior Cup were completed with Clontarf gaining the most comprehensive victory, 4-0 away against PSNI. The reward is a third-round tie against Glenanne.
Portrane also had a successful trip to Ulster with Niall Davis converting a penalty in extra-time to beat Queen's University 2-1.
In Dublin, Johnny Weir was the most potent figure in Raphoe's 3-1 defeat of Avoca.
In the Munster Senior League, it was only through a solitary goal by Dave Eakins that Harlequins defeated Bandon whereas Cork C of I overwhelmed Waterford but will be sobered by the prospect of facing Instonians at all-Ireland level.
