The Irish Council has rejected Loreto's appeal against the Leinster Branch's decision to dock them three points for allegedly fielding an ineligible player in a league fixture against UCD in January. The club has, as yet, issued no formal response to the decision.

It would appear that the club has paid the heaviest price possible for following the advice of Irish coach Riet Kuper and playing Caitriona O'Kelly against UCD. Kuper offered the advice in good faith, expressing a desire that the player play competitive hockey while she was unavailable for Ireland's training camp in Barcelona.

The decision could now cost Loreto the Leinster Senior A title, a place in the All-Ireland League finals and, possibly, European competition.

If Loreto hadn't been docked the points they would have gone in to tomorrow's game against Trinity knowing a win would secure them the title. As it stands now, however, they need Hermes and Old Alexandra to draw, in which case Loreto would pip Hermes to the title because they would have won one more game.

Hermes need a win over Alexandra to be sure of retaining their title but, with their five internationals representing Ireland at Milton Keynes, they will be underdogs on the day - a win for Alexandra would guarantee them the title.

It will also be a nervous weekend for the clubs at the bottom with Muckross, Railway Union and Glenanne all tied on 10 points going in to the final fixtures.

As fate would have it, Glenanne meet Muckross in Tallaght with Muckross only needing a draw to avoid finishing bottom because "games won" is the first factor used to separate teams level on points. Railway Union need just a draw at home to UCD to stay above at least one of the other two.

In Senior B, leaders Hermes II can clinch the title tomorrow if they beat Old Alexandra II at Belfield while a win for Corinthians over Clontarf would put them within a point of a place in a promotion/relegation play-off.