Loreto, Muckross in League showdown

DEJECTION, delight and more than a little relief were just some of the emotions on display at grounds around Dublin on Saturday afternoon as the Leinster Senior League season drew to a close.

It drew to a close, that is, for everyone except Muckross and Loreto who, after their victories on Saturday, will play each other on March 19th in the final fixture of the season - one that has now become the title decider.

Sarah O'Meara's first goal in senior league hockey gave Loreto a 1-0 victory over Old Alexandra at Belfield in a match where, at times, nerves got the better of most of the players on view.

Alexandra needed a win to keep their slim hopes of pipping Muckross to the title alive while Loreto wanted at least two points, which they would have taken for a score draw, if their meeting with Muckross was to have any meaning.

"Alex really put it up to us, it was a nerve-wracking match but we hung on the end," said a relieved O'Meara at full time. The under-21 International is now looking forward to the showdown with Muckross on Wednesday week (Belfield, 8.0) when Loreto, two points behind, must beat the defending champions to snatch the title.

"We'll be going out there with all guns blazing. It's been so close between us in the last few matches but we're looking good now, we're fit and Aoife Pomeroy's back from injury. I think we always play well against Muckross so we're all really looking forward to it," said O'Meara.

A 2-0 victory over Railway Union at Park Avenue, with goals from Orla Bell and Sarah Scott, kept Muckross on top of the table and means a draw against Loreto will be enough for them to retain their title.

Meanwhile at the bottom of the table Clontarf pulled off one of the great relegation escapes when their 3-1 victory over Maids at Grange Road, which included two goals from Tracey Skoyles, helped them retain their Senior A status and send Maids down to Senior B.

Maids, who had a seven point lead over Clontarf just a month ago, needed Hermes II to beat Genesis later in the afternoon if they were to avoid the drop - their misery was made complete by Genesis' 2-0 win which means they take Maids' place in the top flight.