McDonnell to the rescue for Railway

WOMEN'S HOCKEY:RAILWAY UNION needed a late goal from Jean McDonnell to snatch a draw against UCD at Belfield on Saturday, the students denied the victory in their opening game of the campaign having come back from a goal down.

Nikki Evans had given Railway an early lead from a short corner but goals either side of the break from two of UCD’s recruits from Hermes, Deirdre Duke and Anna O’Flanagan, overturned that advantage.

Loreto survived a fightback by Corinthian to take the points with a 4-3 win at Whitechurch, the hosts having trailed 3-0, while Hermes and Old Alexandra both had 2-0 away wins.

Second-half goals from Sinead Connery and Vicky Walsh gave Hermes victory over Pembroke Wanderers, while a double from Erika Hinkson gave Alexandra the points against Glenanne.

The University of Limerick produced a big shock with a 2-1 win away to Cork Harlequins, Sorcha Carey getting both their goals, while Eimear Cregan scored four for champions Catholic Institute in their 6-0 defeat of Bandon.

LEINSTER LEAGUE – Division One: Pembroke Wanderers 0, Hermes 2 (S Connery, V Walsh); Corinthian 3 (G Fagan, S Cory, S Walker), Loreto 4 (N Daly, N Keegan, C McKean, H Matthews); Glenanne 0, Old Alexandra 2 (E Hinkson); UCD 2 (D Duke, A O’Flanagan), Railway Union 2 (N Evans, J McDonnell).

MUNSTER LEAGUE – Division One: Cork Harlequins 1 (L Mullins), Univ of Limerick 2 (S Carey 2); Bandon 0, Catholic Institute 6 (E Cregan 4, R Upton, K Daly); Church of Ireland 1 (J O’Sullivan), Ashton 1 (C Mackey).