Glenanne's perfect start to the season rolled on as they made it three wins from three, moving two points clear at the head of the men’s EY Hockey League with a 4-2 success over Pembroke.
They were good value for the result despite a rousing third quarter fightback from the Serpentine Avenue hosts. Shane O’Donoghue and Brad Venter had the Glens 2-0 up at half-time and seemingly cruising but a Julian Dale-inspired Pembroke got back level at 2-2.
But, as is so often the case, the goal machine that is Shane O’Donoghue replied in kind with his second of the day before Shannon Boucher completed the victory.
Three Rock Rovers, meanwhile, dropped back two points after their thrill-a-minute 2-2 draw with Annadale at Grange Road. Both sides will remember the chances they had to win it but immaculate goalkeeping performances from Sam Hamill and Conor Quinn left it honours even.
Tim Cross and Ben Johnson traded first half corner goals before Rovers moved ahead in the third period via Ross Canning. Adam McAllister’s thumping equaliser meant a draw, lifting Dale to two points while Rovers have seven out of nine leading into next weekend’s Euro Hockey League campaign.
Monkstown are also on seven thanks to a composed 3-0 win over UCD with Rory Nichols’ twin penalty corner shots adding to an early Mark Gibbons deflection goal.
Banbridge recorded their first win of the season with a comfortable 4-2 success against YMCA. Jonny McKee’s hat trick helped put them 4-0 up going into the final quarter and while Harry McCarthy and Grant Glutz did get a couple back in the last 10 minutes, it did not affect the outcome.
Lisnagarvey made it two wins in a week with a 3-1 success against Corinthian. Ben Nelson and Andrew Edgar put them in a strong position and while Peter Caruth got one back for the visitors, Cole Chambers made the points safe.
Garvey will have a break next weekend following their decision to withdraw from the EuroHockey Club Trophy II in the Czech Republic due to Covid-19 restrictions.
