WOMEN'S HOCKEY:WITH UCD losing their second league game in a week, Railway Union stretched their lead at the top of the Leinster first division on Saturday with a 1-0 win over Glenanne. Loreto, four points behind with a game in hand, are now their closest challengers after beating the students 4-2.
Loreto had to come from behind twice in the game at Beaufort, Leah Ewart giving UCD the lead in the opening five minutes and Deirdre Duke restoring their advantage after the break following a fine run by Anna O’Flanagan.
Cathy McKean got the first of Loreto’s equalisers, Niamh Small their second when she made it 2-2 from a penalty corner, and it was McKean who put the hosts in the lead for the first time when she fired home from the right of the circle. Sarah Barnwell sealed the victory for Loreto with their fourth goal, UCD by then a player down through a sin binning.
Railway, meanwhile, were indebted to Julia O’Halloran who got the only goal of their game against Glenanne, while Hermes and Old Alexandra both picked up wins – against Corinthian and Three Rock respectively – to stay in fourth and fifth in the table. Trinity’s hopes of closing in on Alexandra were dealt a blow by their 1-1 draw with Pembroke Wanderers.
The Irish squad had a journey home from South Africa they’re unlikely to forget, they were left sitting on their aircraft for eight hours in Amsterdam due to snow.
