Russell the hero for Old Alexandra

WOMEN'S HOCKEY:THREE ROCK suffered an agonising return to Division One hockey on Saturday when a last -minute goal from Emma Russell gave Old Alexandra a 1-0 win at Grange Road, her reverse stick strike the final touch of the game.

The newcomers will, though, be encouraged by their performance against an Alexandra side that has started the season well, their seven points from three games making them the early leaders in the division.

Both of last season’s top two slipped up on Saturday, champions Hermes held at home by Corinthian with Sarah Walker equalising after Kerry McComish had given the hosts a first half lead.

Loreto, meanwhile, lost 4-2 to a UCD side that looks to have the strength in depth to be serious challengers this season. All four of the students’ scorers were new recruits during the summer, including Dora Gorman – the Galway teenager who was available to her club after captaining the Irish under-19 football team to success in their European Championship qualifying group.

After a shaky start to their campaign, drawing their first two games, Railway Union picked up their first win with a 5-0 defeat of Glenanne, while Rachel Scott’s short corner strike gave Trinity the points in their opening game against Pembroke Wanderers.