Men's EY League round-up: Lisnagarvey maintain lead

Lisnagarvey became the first team for six rounds of the men's EY Hockey League to hold onto the lead as they put Pembroke to the sword 7-1 on Saturday at Comber Road.

The victory retains their two-point advantage over Three Rock Rovers as they transformed a 2-0 half-time lead into a big second half victory with Andy Edgar and Daniel Nelson scoring twice each.

Three Rock Rovers nicked all the points from a feisty Dublin 16 derby over Corinthian, Evan Jennings scoring the crucial goal with nine minutes to go despite his side being down to nine players at the time.

That made it 3-2 after Rovers had initially raced into a 2-0 lead with two Ali Haughton goals but Ian Stewart replied with a pair of his own for the reds.

Monkstown moved up to third place with a comprehensive 4-1 win over Annadale with all four of their goals coming in the first 15 minutes with Davy Carson cashing in twice in addition to efforts from Guy Sarratt and Jeremy Duncan.

It keeps them in touching distance of a potential top two finish and a direct route to the EY Champions Trophy semi-finals.

Those hopes, though, were dented for both Glenanne and Banbridge following their 2-2 draw at Havelock Park. Richard Couse had the Glens in front; Bann replied through Phillip Brown and Charlie Rowe but Shane O’Donoghue tied it up from the penalty spot.

YMCA took another big step toward both an EY Champions Trophy spot and confirmed safety in the EYHL for next season with their 3-2 win over UCD.

Sam Byrne gave the students an early lead but replies from Adam Walker, Grant Glutz and Andrew Meates put the Y out of sight.

YM are now eight points clear of the drop zone where Pembroke remain in ninth place, one point behind Annadale and two off Corinthian.