Loreto and Hermes keep top spots

WOMENS HOCKEY:LORETO AND Hermes remain top of their Irish Hockey League pools after maintaining their perfect records in the competition over the weekend, but the contest for places in the semi-finals remains intense, with wins for Railway Union and Pegasus in Pool A and Cork Harlequins and Ballymoney in Pool B strengthening their hopes of reaching the last four.

Pegasus survived a spirited comeback from Randalstown on Friday night when, having led 2-0 with just 10 minutes to go, they found themselves level and in danger of dropping crucial points. Kirsty McCollum, though, rescued the Ulster champions in the final minute, their 3-2 victory not enough to gain a bonus point but sufficient to keep them in contention for a top-two finish in the pool.

Like Pegasus Railway missed out on a bonus point in their 2-0 victory over Belfast Harlequins, thanks largely to the display of visiting goalkeeper Jenny Foster. It wasn’t until the 40th minute that Railway finally took the lead, Emer Lucey firing home from a penalty corner, with Emma Smyth adding a second seven minutes later.

Despite going a goal down to Church of Ireland in Cork after eight minutes it was Loreto who gained most from their day’s work, Hannah Matthews’ last-minute goal, which made it 4-1, giving the Leinster side a bonus point, one that extends their lead over Railway to three points. Nikki Symmons equalised for Loreto early in the second half, with Niamh Small and Matthews all but sealing the victory before Matthews’ critical second score.

In Pool B Ballymoney’s 5-0 defeat of Armagh – four of their goals coming from former Irish captain Lynsey McVicker – lifts them in to contention for a top-two finish. They now trail second-placed Cork Harlequins by two points, with both sides still to play Hermes in Dublin.

Harlequins produced a fine 3-1 win over an in-form UCD side, Rachel McSharry opening the scoring from a penalty corner after just three minutes and Hilary Chapple restoring the Munster champions’ lead before the break after Fiona Braddish had levelled for the students. Jane Chapple made it 3-1 midway through the second half to keep Harlequins second in the pool.

Hermes stay top of Pool B after beating Pembroke Wanderers 2-0 yesterday, Jenny Burke and Aoife McCarthy scoring from penalty corners in the second half, but their failure to pick up bonus points from any of their three wins so far means their cushion over Harlequins is just a point. With home advantage over their two closest pool rivals in their final two games, however, they are favourites to advance to the last four.