WOMEN'S HOCKEY:A year ago Ards became National Indoor champions when they beat Hermes with a golden goal in the final at the Basketball Arena in Tallaght – and yesterday they beat the same opposition at the same venue to retain their title, goals from Naomi Elliott (two) and Chloe Brown giving them a 3-1 victory.

Unlike last year, though, Ards never trailed in the final, Elliott’s two goals in as many second-half minutes sealing their win after Hermes’ Lisa Jacob had cancelled out Brown’s first half goal.

Both sides had survived stirring fight-backs in the semi-finals, both leading 4-0 – Hermes against Glenanne and Ards against Ulster Elks – before holding out for 4-3 wins.