Sport

In-form Monkstown take over at the top

Graham Shaw’s side throw down the gauntlet to Three Rock Rovers

Monkstown’s Gareth Watkins (right): his brace inspired the comeback against lowly YMCA. Photograph: Inpho
Monkstown’s Gareth Watkins (right): his brace inspired the comeback against lowly YMCA. Photograph: Inpho
Mon Jan 20 2014 - 01:00

Monkstown made the Leinster men’s Division One title race a two-horse one yesterday as they saw off third placed Pembroke 4-3 in a fine game, capping a strong weekend for the Rathdown side.

It lifts Graham Shaw’s to the top of the table for the first time this term, albeit by a point with a game extra played than title rivals Three Rock Rovers. The two clubs are down to meet next Saturday.

On Saturday, 'Town had recovered from being 2-0 down against lowly YMCA to win 4-2 with Gareth Watkins' brace inspiring the comeback before young charges Lee Cole and Jazze Henry closed out the win. It meant a win against Pembroke would see them leap-frog Rovers on Sunday.

The sky-blues duly obliged, building a 3-2 half-time lead before Stephen Cole extended the margin. Alan Sothern got one back but Pembroke could not find another goal.

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Three Rock, meanwhile, picked up a pair of comfortable victories to advance their Leinster double prospects. A 7-1 win on Saturday over Fingal meant they remain unbeaten after 14 games in the league while they went one better on Sunday, beating Rathgar 8-1 in the Mills Cup semi-final.

A gloss
The Chiefs took the lead in the 11th minute when Dan Needham finished off a swift counter-attack. Rovers were level within a minute via Jonny McCormack and moved 3-1 up at half-time before a late run of goals put a gloss on the scoreline. UCD moved back into the top five on Saturday with a 2-1 league win over Corinthian. Glenanne hammered Railway Union 5-1 to see the latter drop out of the top five places and in danger of missing out on an Irish Hockey League space.