M2s secure spoils on northern raid and last-gasp equalizer spoils EYHL party.

M2s secure spoils on northern raid and last-gasp equalizer spoils EYHL party.

Dave Loughrey’s M2s took the dark and winding road to Fortress Instonians at Shaws Bridge on Saturday to contest the second round of the Irish Junior Cup. A pair of crackers from Paddy Good, a classy Alex O’Meara finish, and a Wes Brownlow rifle secured the win and advancement to the quarter finals where they will anxiously await the draw for the next round. With a couple of big Ulster clubs entering the QF stage the management team will hope for a kinder local pairing.

In the Pembroke goal Simon Thornton was immense all day as the M1s enjoyed spells of dominance in their EYHL matchup with Corinthians in Whitechurch Park on Saturday despite the game remaining scoreless until deep into the 3rd quarter. The deadlock was eventually broken by a signature Alan Sothern penalty corner rifle as the teams settled down to a nervy final quarter. Peter Caruth proving there is plenty of life left in the legs, and the brain, to dismantle a tired Pembroke midfield, catching Scott Sullivan off-guard for a 10 minute yellow card and setting up Ian Stewart for a penalty corner equalizer in the final 60 seconds. Caruth also had a fine goal on the reverse disallowed for a late-spotted infringement at the edge of the circle. A missed Sothern stroke left the game 1-1 at the final whistle with both sides ruing missed chances to snatch all 3 points.

M3s went down 2-0 at home to TRR 3s in the early game on Saturday, potentially feeling the effects of a late schedule change to support the travelling 2s in their IJC bid. The calming presence of Paddy Conlon ultimately not enough to raise the team to the quality of the travelling Rovers.

M4s suffered their heaviest defeat of the season as they let 5 North Kildare goals past ‘keeper Diarmuid Gleeson in a one-sided game at the Maws in Kilcock. Fast-breaking turnover ball the main culprit as the 4s never quite got into top gear against their perennial protagonists.

M5s went down by a single stray goal to a fit Suttonians 1XI out in Sutton Park school on Saturday afternoon, despite the cat-like reflexes of ‘keeper Ian Baldwin between the sticks and the dynamism and grace of Hugo Pfeifer in midfield. With skipper Pete McEvoy anxiously awaiting text updates from the continent, the white smoke never materialised as Suttonians stuck a pair of sweet strikes on top of a solid Richard Clarke penalty corner to run out 2-1 winners.

M6s enjoyed a feisty game of cricket with Bray 3rds in Temple Carraig school in Greystones in the late division 7 matchup. Wicketkeeper Adam Keating facing more than 30 strikes down his channel as batsman after batsman was dismissed by a ruthless (and questionable) fast-bowling Bray side. The game was duly wrapped up with overs to spare as captain Hugh McGoldrick conceded in favour of prawn sandwiches and Earl Grey tea to end the misery. Final score: Bray 10 – 2 Pembroke.