WOMENS HOCKEY:LORETO AND UCD took the points from their rearranged Irish Hockey League fixtures in Dublin yesterday, beating their Ulster opponents, Pegasus and Ballymoney respectively, to boost their hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the competition.
Loreto's 3-2 win over Pegasus lifts them above Railway Union in to top spot in pool A but a late consolation goal from Alex Speers, which gave the Ulster champions a bonus point, could yet prove crucial in the battle for a top-two finish in the pool.
Speers had given Pegasus the lead from a short corner after 10 minutes, but her fellow international Nikki Symmons levelled five minutes later, before Zara Delany gave the Dublin side a 2-1 half-time lead. Delany scored again midway through the second half, making her the IHL's top scorer with five goals, before Speers pulled a goal back.
At Belfield UCD were indebted to goalkeeper Grace O'Flanagan for keeping Ballymoney scoreless in the first half of their game, the students took command after the break once Catriona McGilp rounded off a fine move involving Rachel Burke and Lisa Jacob. Rosie Carrigan's goal 11 minutes from time sealed the win and clinched a bonus point for UCD, putting them in contention in a tight pool headed by Hermes.
On Saturday two goals from Jean McDonnell against Trinity completed an outstanding first half of the Leinster First Division campaign for Railway Union, the win their eighth in nine games - only Loreto, in last month's scoreless draw, took points from the leaders. Railway, who conceded just one goal in those nine games, lead Loreto by six points at the halfway stage.
Loreto are the division's only other unbeaten side, warming up for their meeting with Pegasus by beating Glenanne 4-0 on Saturday, while Hermes, with a game in hand, joined UCD on 15 points - 10 behind Railway - with a 7-2 trouncing of Corinthian, Anna O'Flanagan scoring four. They can narrow that gap to seven if they beat Bray tonight. Cathy Brock's goal helped Bray inch further away from the relegation zone on Saturday with a 1-1 draw against Old Alexandra.
