WOMEN'S HOCKEY: The last time Loreto lost in the Irish Senior Cup was when Hermes knocked them out in the second round in December 2000.
On Saturday, however, the Leinster League leaders' quest for a cup three-in-a-row ended in Belfast when Pegasus scored twice in extra time to set up a semi-final meeting, on home turf, with Cork Harlequins.
Corinthian's reward for their thrilling 3-2 win over UCD at Belfield is a trip to Booterstown, to play Hermes in the last four.
There was little to choose between Pegasus and Loreto for three-quarters of their game in Belfast, but the Ulster champions stepped up a gear in the closing stages, forcing Louisa Healy into several fine saves.
Pegasus sealed the game with two goals in the opening half of extra time. The first came from Susie Martin, whose shot from a corner deflected into the net off Healy's boot; the second was a superb individual effort from Sarah Wilkinson.
Cork Harlequins, bidding for their third final in five years, impressed in beating Old Alexandra at Farmers' Cross, despite conceding an early goal to Trish Conway. Karen Bateman levelled from a penalty stroke after 15 minutes before scoring a gem, after beating three players, to give them the lead 10 minutes later. Jan Dillon completed the 3-1 scoreline in the 56th minute.
UCD and Corinthian provided the most eventful of the quarter-finals. Judy Muldowney snatched the winner for Corinthian 12 minutes from time, by which time Catherine Murray and Jill Cotter (UCD) and Linda Campbell and Suzanne Murphy (Corinthian) had shared four goals and Sarah Hooper had saved two UCD penalty strokes.
Early goals from Hermes' Aoife Mitchell and Deirdre McDermott made Coleraine's task at Booterstown insurmountable, although the Ulster side did pull a goal back through player-coach Caryn Bentley before half-time.
Sharon Hanley restored Hermes' two-goal lead after the break, one they held until the end.
Meanwhile, Ireland's 12-day stay in Argentina ended yesterday on a positive note after two victories over the hosts' under-21s (3-1 and 4-3) and another, on Saturday, over a Cordoba selection - goals from Jenny Burke, Lynsey McVicker and Linda Caulfield gave Ireland a 3-0 win. Coach Riet Kuper described the trip as "excellent preparation for the Olympic Qualifying tournament". Next stop is Madrid, where Ireland play Spain on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
