MEN'S HOCKEY: YMCA GOT the better of Monkstown at Old Alexandra in the opening salvo of the All-Ireland League.

Although Pool A visitors Monkstown took the lead after Andy Ewington converted a penalty corner with a drag flick high past Iain Walker in the ’YM goal, the home side came into the game strongly in the second half.

Controlling much of the play after the break ’YM finally equalised, again from a corner, through Philip Marshall. Finally, Johnny Bruton hit home another set-piece 10 minutes from the end to gather a vital three points for Trevor Dagg’s side.

At Serpentine Avenue former C of I player Karl Lynch got on the scoreboard for his new club Pembroke. Lynch would have been familiar with visitors Cork Harlequins, who left empty handed after a 5-2 win for the new-look home side.

Pembroke were just 1-0 up at half-time after Jethro Eustace put a low corner in when Harlequins were reduced to 10 men. Pembroke were then down men early in the second half but Harlequins couldn’t take advantage, instead Brandon Panther and Maurice Elliott hitting a goal each to give Pembroke a 3-0 lead.

Lynch then netted after a move he triggered in his own half and after 50 minutes Pembroke had an unassailable 4-0 advantage.

David Eakins netted for Harlequins but Michael O’Connor restored the four-goal advantage before Philip McLoughlin made the scoreline more decent with Harlequins’ second for a final 5-2 scoreline.

Cork C of I did no better than their Munster rivals and fell 3-1 to Lisnagarvey at Garryduff.

Tim Cockram landed two goals for the Ulster side, with Jason Lynch scoring the third as ’Garvey swept to a 2-0 lead and finally the match.

Whitechurch Park witnessed a high-scoring game between Corinthians and Glenanne, with the match ending 4-4 after visitors Glenanne were forced to come back from being 4-1 down.

The visitors just about came to life in the dying minutes and although Corinthians went 4-1 up, goals from Joe Brennan, Eddie O’Malley and finally Jonathan Kane in the dying seconds clinched a draw for Glenanne.

Overall wins for Pembroke and YMCA puts them in first and second respectively in pool A, with Lisnagarvey leading pool B with Glenanne and Corinthians chasing.