Dramatic decline for top clubs

It was only in 1997 that the then top two clubs in the country, Muckross, coached by Ian Steepe, and Graham Quincey's Randalstown, met in the deciding game of the All-Ireland League finals in Galway. Muckross won out that day, but there was little to choose between two fine teams. Just over three years later, however, and both clubs are facing the hardest of times, struggling to even compete in their respective leagues, never mind match past achievements.

Evidence of their decline came in the most dramatic of forms on Saturday when they conceded 26 goals between them, without reply, in demoralising defeats by the Leinster and Ulster champions - Muckross lost 16-0 to Loreto while Pegasus beat Randalstown 10-0.

Cathy McKean scored five of Loreto's goals with Caitriona O'Kelly helping herself to a hat-trick and with the race for the title likely to be a tight affair this season their 16 goals could give the defending champions a significant advantage should it come down to goal difference in the end.

Hermes, though, remain the team to catch after they won their sixth successive game of the season, beating Pembroke Wanderers 4-0, their first defeat of the campaign. Old Alexandra stay second after a Richelle Flanagan goal gave them victory over Glenanne while Trinity made it four wins out of five when they beat Genesis 1-0 - Claire Stewart got their winning goal.

Most spirited performance of the day, though, was the young Railway Union side's 1-1 draw with UCD who, before Saturday, had taken four points from their first four games - a highly creditable tally considering three of their opponents were Loreto, Hermes and Alexandra.