Hermes and Railway Union maintain their momentum

WOMEN'S HOCKEY:THEIR LEINSTER League form might not be quite what they would have hoped for so far this season, but, with their international players available to them, Hermes and Railway Union have so far been flawless in the Irish Hockey League, both sides making it three wins out of three on Saturday.

Nine days after they lost 2-0 to UCD in the league, Hermes inflicted on the students their first defeat of the season. They had to come from behind, though, Hermes old girl Anna O’Flanagan putting UCD 1-0 up in the first quarter when she deflected home their first short corner of the game.

Hermes’ equaliser came from Catriona McGilp, one of their contingent of former UCD players, and before half-time they were 2-1 up, Audrey O’Flynn converting a well-worked short corner. There were plenty of chances at both ends after that, UCD goalkeeper Stella Davis making a string of fine saves, with Hermes holding out against intense pressure in the closing stages. The win leaves them three points clear of UCD in Pool A, with Pegasus and Catholic Institute another point behind.

Railway, meanwhile, have moved within a point of Pool B leaders Loreto and three ahead of Ballymoney with a 9-0 drubbing of UCC, Jean McDonnell scoring a hat-trick and Emma Smyth and Alex Speers getting two apiece.

There was some consolation for UCD when their closest Division One challengers, Old Alexandra and Loreto, drew at Milltown on Saturday, leaving the leaders with a two-point cushion at the top.

Trinity picked up their second win in four days, Saturday’s 1-0 defeat of Corinthian combined with last week’s victory over Three Rock putting them level on points with fifth-placed Hermes, with a game in hand.

Pembroke Wanderers and Glenanne are still in the bottom four after their 1-1 draw at Serpentine Avenue.

* The Irish Hockey Association is asking current and former players to complete an online survey asking them about their experiences in the sport.

The survey can be found at ihaplayerparticipation.questionpro.com, its closing date December 2.