Ards edge towards Ulster title, Leinster too close to call

While the Leinster first division title race looks like going down to the final game of the season, with just six points now separating the top five teams, up north Ards took a giant leap towards winning the Ulster Premier Division title when they beat defending champions Pegasus in midweek.

Only once since 1998 has the Pegasus stranglehold on the title loosened, when Ballymoney dethroned them in 2011.

But they now find themselves 12 points adrift of Ards, with just one game in hand, after Emma Reid got the only goal of the game for the leaders on Tuesday night.

Ulster Elks are Ards’ closest challengers, but they’re five points behind, so if Ards can keep their cool over their remaining six games – five of which are against teams in the bottom half of the table – then the title will be theirs.

In pursuit

Which club will win the Leinster title is anyone’s guess. Hermes and Railway Union are level on 33 points at the top, with UCD (31), Pembroke Wanderers (30) and Loreto (27) all in hot pursuit.

There are three remaining head-to-heads for the top five over the next fortnight – Railway v Pembroke, Hermes v Loreto and Railway v UCD – the first of those key games taking place tomorrow.

If Pembroke can prevail, then they draw level on points with Railway, making the title race even closer.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday Ireland coach Darren Smith will name his squad for the World Hockey League, the first phase of the Olympic qualification process, which will be hosted in Dublin next month. LEINSTER LEAGUE – DIVISION ONE – Tomorrow: Glenanne v Corinthian, Glenanne Park, 12.15; North Kildare v Loreto, The Maws, 1.0; Pembroke Wanderers v Railway Union, Serpentine Avenue, 3.30; Trinity v Hermes, Santry, 2.45; UCD v Old Alexandra, Belfield, 1.20.