Leinster contingent cut to two

Hockey Women's: It proved to be a bleak-enough day for Leinster clubs in Saturday's third round of the ESB Irish Senior Cup, only two of the province's seven representatives - the cup holders, Hermes, and Pembroke Wanderers - making it through to the last eight, compared to the five the province had in last season's quarter-finals.

But there can have been few more competitive third rounds in recent years, only one of the eight ties being won by more than a single goal.

Pegasus, predictably, eased through with a 4-1 defeat of Belfast Harlequins, but the rest of the day's winners progressed by the narrowest of margins.

Hermes had much the better of their first half against Old Alexandra at Milltown, Mary Logue giving them the lead, but Alexandra levelled through Jeamie Deacon.

Hermes, though, got a deserved winner midway through the second half, Aoife Mitchell converting one of the 10 short corners they won in the game, compared to Alexandra's two.

The fightback of the day took place at Farmer's Cross, where Loreto came from three-nil down to force their tie against Cork Harlequins into extra time, only to lose to Eimear Cregan's golden goal.

Two first-half goals from Karen Bateman and another just after the break from Cregan appeared to have sealed the win for the Munster champions but Caitriona Tipping and Cathy McKean (two) completed the normal-time comeback, before Cregan struck decisively.

Harlequins' "reward" for victory is an away tie against Hermes in the quarter-finals.

UCD also went out to a golden goal, losing 2-1 to Randalstown at Belfield - Randalstown get to meet Pegasus in the last eight - while Susan Ryan's goal midway through the second half at Serpentine Avenue completed Pembroke's comeback after they had trailed Armagh.

Pembroke host Lurgan in the quarters after the Ulster side beat Corinthian 2-1, Lynsey Fulton getting the winner four minutes from time.

The last of the quarter-finals pairs Ballymoney, 3-2 winners over Railway Union (the sides were 2-2 at half-time), with Church of Ireland, who for the second year running beat Ards away from home.

Julie Sullivan sent the game in to extra time after Ards had taken the lead, the Munster side going on to win 7-6 on penalty strokes.