WOMEN'S HOCKEY: A drenching-mist descended on Garryduff yesterday afternoon when the defending champions, Hermes - needing only a draw - allowed the All-Ireland Trophy to slip from their grasp as Pegasus regained the title with a 2-1 victory in the deciding match.
Pegasus, stronger than they were in the European Cup Winners Cup in Vienna, with Pamela Magill and Jill Orbinson now being on hand, played with more composure and got off to the best of starts with Arlene Boyles sinking a short corner after seven minutes. Despite the efforts of Catriona Carey, Hermes were unable to make much of an impression subsequently, as Boyles and her cohorts were giving little away, Nadine Graham being especially steadfast.
Although increasing the pressure after the interval, Hermes could rarely get within shooting range. Instead, Claire McMahon was menacing on the break, for Pegasus, and midway through the half she swivelled neatly to give Orbinson the chance to fire home the second goal. Carol Devine reduced the deficit 90 seconds from the end, but it was too late to alter the outcome.
Hermes at least travelled back to Dublin with two pieces of silverware, with midfielder Linda Caulfield winning the player of the tournament award and Tara Browne taking the goalkeeping honours.
It was a highly encouraging tournament for Leinster's second team, Railway Union, on their debut at this level. They finished with a 3-3 draw with Randalstown yesterday, adding to their achievement in holding Pegasus to 3-3 on Saturday.
Ciara O'Brien, around whom everything revolved for Railway, opened the scorings against Randalstown from a short corner. Emma Clarke equalised, but Louise McDermott snicked the Dubliners back in front before the interval.
Although Shauna Park put away two goals to make it 3-2 for the Ulster side, as the second half was evaporating, Sinead Walsh struck from a corner to earn another point for Railway, who had lost Karen Clarke through injury in the closing minutes.
