WOMEN'S HOCKEY: Pembroke Wanderers and UCD's scoreless draw on Saturday afternoon wasn't of great assistance to either club in their ambition to keep the pressure on both Hermes and Loreto or, at the very least, win through to the All-Ireland play-offs. Indeed, if fourth-placed UCD look over their shoulder they will see Old Alexandra fast approaching, just a point behind, as they attempt to revive their hopes of making it to the league play-offs after a patchy start to the season.
Two goals apiece from Laura McCoy and Aisling Flinn sent Alexandra on their way to a 6-0 win over bottom club Glenanne whose only consolation on the day was that Railway Union stay within reach after losing 2-0 to Corinthians, for whom Australian Kylie McEniery scored twice.
At Beaufort, Loreto found Genesis to be more tenacious opponents than they were when the teams met in the first half of the season, a game won 6-0 by Loreto. On Saturday they won by just a single goal, scored by the prolific Cathy McKean just before half -time. A Jenny Burke hat-trick, making it eight goals in three games for the Irish forward, was the highlight of Hermes' 7-0 win over Trinity, the title holders ninth successive league victory.
In Munster, Harlequins, who have won all their league matches this season, are just one point away from retaining the laurels, with three games to go. Goals from Marissa Ahern, Elaine Bromell and Emer Dillon gave them a 3-0 win over Waterford on Saturday. Bandon, who beat Church of Ireland 2-0, are in second place and on course for a play-off against the Connacht champions, the winners of which go through to the All-Ireland play-offs.
Pegasus, meanwhile, appear no less assured than Harlequins of successfully defending their Ulster crown. A penalty corner strike from Arlene Boyles and two more goals from Heather Mullan and Claire McMahon gave them a 3-0 win over Ballymoney, effectively ending their opponents' already slim title hopes. Ards stay second in the Section One table after a 5-0 victory over Knock (with Pamela Chittick scoring a hat-trick).
