Sunday, February 28, 2010

YM cause more problems for top sides

Men's Division One:
Glenanne 2 (Shane O'Donoghue 2) YMCA 2 (Simon Mills, Andy Walker)
Draw-masters YMCA threw another spanner in the works of the title race as they snatched a last-gasp point at St Mark's this afternoon, Andy Walker holding his nerve to convert a stroke in the final minute. They add the point to and earlier 3-3 tie with the Glens while they have also cancelled out Corinthian and Pembroke in recent weeks. In a fairly even game, both Iain Walker and Stephen Doran were called on to make a couple of decent saves but it was the Y who drew first blood when Simon Mills (pictured, right) scored an early corner.

Shane O'Donoghue (left), though, swapped the lead before half-time with a double which owed much to Stephen Butler's marauding runs out of the back four and down the right channel with Alan Lewis also a key factor in the creation process.

But YM stuck to their task and picked off a point in the closing stages when a hefty stick-tackle in the circle saw umpire Kieran Bolger point to the spot. And Walker kept his focus after some lengthy discussions to beat Doran high on his stick side and level matters.

The Glens still need to win all their remaining games to regain the title; a feat which will also do for Corinthian. However, the only discernible change in the state of play would be if the pair were to tie when they meet. Such an eventuality would open the door to Pembroke.

For YM, it strengthens their hand slightly in the chase for IHL places but Tuesday night's fixture at Grange Road is a pivotal moment for the fourth automatic spot.

Elsewhere, Railway Union and UCD's women's league fixture was cancelled due to a lack of a second umpire. Weston and Avoca advanced to the semi-finals of the Neville Davin Cup with wins over holders Trinity and Navan respectively.

Neville Davin, round one results:
Navan 3 (Davitt Meenaghan, Nicky Parkhill, Richie Bagnall) Avoca 9 (Ezra Handelman 4, Dan Grim 2, Stephen Day, Carl Breaden, Nicky Harris); Weston 2 (Simon Pearson, Phil Barron) Dublin University 0

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Fair play ym.

Anonymous said...

Certanly makes for an exciting last few weeks with all to play for up to last day of the league on Mar 20th . Will go down to the wire for first place with 3 clubs in the frame and for 4th/5th slots with another 3 clubs o the frame. Most exciting finish in years.

Anonymous said...

monkstown have the easiest run in the race for 4th and 5th spot. The crunch game has to be rovers v ym on tues. If rovers dont win I cant see them getting past 6th

Anonymous said...

Do all games start at the same time on the final day ?

Anonymous said...

8:31....Monkstown with easiest run??? Not sure what website you are reading but the leinster site says they have Pembroke and Glens in the final 2 rounds.

Anonymous said...

There is a mini league opening up for 7,8 and 9 - Do these guys all have to play each other ?

Anonymous said...

lack of second umpire????? in div 1???? bit of a joke

Anonymous said...

Navan were unlucky in their game on sunday. they were missing a few players but played some great hockey. their last goal in particular was a gem. A great finish!!!

Anonymous said...

yeh yeh!!!