Costly slip-up for Railway

HOCKEY:THE MOST important match of the weekend in the Leinster Senior League had to be abandoned on Saturday because of pitch flooding. The heavy rainfall finally put paid to Hermes clash against Pembroke at Booterstown after about 10 minutes play. It was the only senior match to be that seriously affected by the weather with the five other games all going ahead.

Despite the other teams playing out their matches, two points still separate the top two, league leaders Pembroke and Hermes at the top of the table. Pembroke are on 37 points and Hermes are on 35 with Railway Union trailing in third place on 33 points.

Railway had their chance to draw level with Hermes but could only manage a goalless draw with mid-table UCD, while fourth -placed Loreto earned a 2-1 win over Three Rock Rovers.

Trinity also played out a draw with Coronations, which should give them some confidence going into today's Leinster Cup final at Grange Road against Hermes. The students will go in as underdogs but might take some comfort from Monkstown beating Three Rock Rovers on Saturday in the men's Irish Senior Cup.

The Leinster cup is named after the late Muckross and Ireland captain, Jactura Potter, one of the most gifted players to emerge in women's hockey in Ireland.

Senior trophies are always difficult for student teams to come by as UCC found out in Munster on Saturday. The Cork students went down to a golden goal in extra- time, when their Munster Cup final against C of I finished 0-0 after normal time.