Hermes in impressive form

Dublin clubs had the better of the opening stage of the All-Ireland Championships on Saturday with all three winning the first legs of their quarter-finals, but only Hermes doing so convincingly, leaving them all but assured of a place in the finals in a fortnight's time.

Old Alexandra and Loreto, though, still have plenty to do in their second legs after winning by the narrowest of margins, 2-1 against Cork Harlequins and Portadown, respectively. Both had led 2-0 but conceded late goals, "away" goals that could yet swing the ties in Harlequins' and Portadown's favour.

Caitriona O'Kelly gave Loreto the lead after 19 minutes against Portadown with Nikki Lyons doubling the advantage seven minutes into the second half. Elaine McKeown pulled a goal back for the Ulster league runners-up who were then indebted to Irish under-18 goalkeeper Leanne Forsythe. She saved Elaine Goddard's late twice taken penalty stroke.

Over at Milltown goals from Trish Conway and Laura McCoy put Old Alexandra 2-0 up against Harlequins but Karen O'Brien's deflected shot seven minutes from time gave the Munster champions a crucial lifeline in the tie.

Up north Ballymoney failed to find the form that had won them the Irish Senior Cup the week before, losing 4-0 to Hermes. Without their player-coach Lynsey McVicker, who broke her right thumb in nine places in the cup final, they fell behind after 17 minutes when Hilda Barron scooped a reverse-stick shot over Angela Platt in the Ballymoney goal.

Caitriona Carey and Jenny Burke combined in a superb move soon after, Carey finishing off to make the score 2-0 at the break. In the second half Rosie Walsh turned home a Burke goal-bound effort and Burke herself completed a convincing 4-0 victory with a shot from the edge of the circle.