Women's Hockey

They say the harder you have to work for something the more reluctant you are to give it up. Well, after the traumas they endured en route to their first league title in 15 years last season - and a week after being knocked out of the Irish Senior Cup by Hermes - Loreto produced their gutsiest performance of the season t oearn a 1-0 win over league leaders Hermes on Saturday. Defeat would have all but ended their hopes of retaining their title.

Caitriona O'Kelly's goal, seven minutes from time at Beaufort, also silenced all that talk about the league being over by Christmas. Loreto (now just one point behind Hermes) are alive and kicking, and, as a result of Hermes' defeat, Old Alexandra (two points behind Loreto) aren't without a shout either.

Both defences proved to be largely impenetrable, with Aoife Pomeroy having a storming game at the heart of the Loreto defence (highlighted by a brilliant tackle on Mary Logue in her own circle two minutes from time), while not much got past Daphne Sixsmith and Sinead McDonnell at the other end. It was after they had survived an intense, five-minute spell of Hermes pressure, during which they won four of their corners, that Loreto broke to snatch the winning goal. A move that started with Pomeroy at the back ended when McKean's shot, after her mazy run into the circle, was saved by Hilliard before the rebound was drilled through a crowd of players by O'Kelly on the right. Two more goals from Trish Conway helped Old Alexandra to a 3-0 win over Trinity, while UCD moved up to fourth by beating Pembroke Wanderers 2-1 at Belfield.