Title race reaches critical juncture

WOMEN'S HOCKEY: THE LEINSTER first division title won't be won or lost this weekend but the result from the match between leaders…

WOMEN'S HOCKEY:THE LEINSTER first division title won't be won or lost this weekend but the result from the match between leaders Pembroke Wanderers and second-placed Hermes at Booterstown will go a long way towards determining the outcome of the title race.

The teams go in to the game defending the last unbeaten records in Division One and if Pembroke can even get a draw, to make it 16 games without defeat, they will retain their two-point advantage at the top of the table going in to their final fixtures against Loreto and Railway Union.

A win for Hermes would put them a point clear of Pembroke, meaning wins from their last two games, against Old Alexandra and Trinity, would assure them of the title. Railway and Loreto, meanwhile, must win their fixtures away to UCD and Three Rock tomorrow if they are to stay in touch with the top two.

Regardless of the result at Garryduff tomorrow there will be a change of name on the Munster Senior Cup for the first time in 13 years after Cork Harlequins' domination of the competition was ended in the quarter-final by Church of Ireland, who now face UCC in the final.

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Tomorrow: Leinster League: Division One: Genesis v Old Alexandra, Belfield, 11.15; Three Rock v Loreto, Grange Road, 12.45; Hermes v Pembroke Wanderers, Booterstown, 1.0; Corinthian v Trinity, Whitechurch, 3.30; UCD v Railway Union, Belfield, 4.15.

Tomorrow: Munster Cup final: Church of Ireland v UCC, Garryduff, 3.0.

Mary Hannigan

Mary Hannigan

Mary Hannigan is a sports writer with The Irish Times