WOMEN'S HOCKEY/Weekend round-up: When he leads his Old Alexandra team in to the ESB Irish Senior Cup final at Belfield in three weeks time there'll be a familiar feeling to the occasion for coach Fred McDarby.
Four years ago, in what was the first all-Leinster final since 1997, McDarby led Loreto to victory over favourites Hermes, the club's first success in the competition in 42 years. On March 26th he will hope to lead Alexandra to their first cup win in 15 years, in an all-Leinster final against favourites Hermes.
Ballymoney experienced their own sense of deja vu at Jordanstown on Saturday when they lost 3-0 on penalty strokes to Alexandra, precisely the manner in which they lost last year's final to Hermes - and, indeed, won the 2001 final against Pegasus.
Former Irish captain Lynsey McVicker's fine solo effort gave Ballymoney the lead after 25 minutes, but Laura McCoy equalised for Alexandra late in the second half. There were no scores during extra-time so the tie went to strokes. Shauna Frey saved two Ballymoney strokes before Susie Martin hit hers wide - Jeamie Deacon, Gillian O'Shea and Kelly Whelan converted their strokes for Alexandra to seal their win.
At Garryduff a scrambled 15th minute goal from Caitriona Carey against Church of Ireland put Hermes in to their seventh final in 10 years, giving them the chance of becoming only the third Leinster club in over half a century, after Loreto (in 2003) and Muckross (in 1969), to retain the Irish Senior Cup.
Molly Powers came closest to extending the holders' lead when she hit the post. At the other end Hermes' Nikki King made saves to foil Karen Hales and Sinead Connery. C of I are now left to concentrate on qualifying for the All-Ireland quarter-finals.
Defending Leinster champions Loreto returned to the top of the Division 1 table on Saturday after Sue O'Connor gave them a 1-0 win against UCD at Belfield. Pembroke lost further ground on the leaders when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Trinity while Railway Union defeated Corinthian 3-1.
IRISH SENIOR CUP - Semi-finals: Ballymoney 1 (L McVicker) Old Alexandra 1 (L McCoy). Alexandra won 3-0 on penalty strokes aet. Church of Ireland 0 Hermes 1 (C Carey). Final will be played at Belfield on March 26th.
