WOMEN'S HOCKEY:WHILE QUALIFICATION from Pool B for the semi-finals of the Irish Hockey League proved to be straightforward enough for Railway Union and UCD, both of whom finished five points clear of third-placed Armagh, Pool A ended with all three contenders for the runners-up spot level on 12 points.
It is Hermes, though, who go through on goal difference, despite losing their final pool game to Loreto.
Their progress was clinched by the bonus point they picked up in their 3-2 defeat by Loreto, Áine Connery and Anna O’Flanagan getting their goals with Sarah Barnwell and Nikki Symmons (two) securing the win for Loreto.
But Loreto needed a victory by a two-goal margin to move a point clear of Hermes, who had a superior goal difference. Institute also needed Hermes to miss out on that bonus point, and despite beating UCC 3-0 proved to be equally unfortunate.
Pegasus topped the pool with their fifth win in as many games, a 4-0 defeat of Belfast Harlequins, and play UCD in the semi-finals after the students’ draw away to Armagh, combined with Railway’s 4-0 win over Ards, saw them drop to second.
Hermes will meet Railway, the reigning champions, in the last four.
