There may be only three weeks gone in the new Statoil Leinster League season but, already, a five-point gap has opened between the four leading teams and the rest. Muckross, Loreto, Hermes and Old Alexandra all picked up three more points at the weekend and seem set to repeat last season's four-way challenge for the title. Muckross, however, had to work hard for their victory at Tallaght on Saturday when they faced a spirited Glenanne, who almost held on for a draw after Sarah Carroll cancelled out Trish McHugh's early goal. In the end, the champions were indebted to Kathy Johnston who snatched the winner with just under 10 minutes to go. Like Muckross, last season's runners-up Loreto were also made to struggle for their three points at the weekend. Emer Campion and Caitriona O'Kelly gave them a two goal cushion in the first half of their match against Railway Union at Park Avenue, but Rosie O'Reilly's penalty brought the home side back in to the game. Loreto were almost made to pay for a string of missed chances late in the game when Cathy McKean came close to scoring an equaliser, but they held on to take maximum points.

Hermes had a more comfortable morning at Belfield where Zanya Dahl gave them the lead by scoring against her old club Trinity - defender Sinead McDonnell secured the victory with her second goal in two games.

Meanwhile at Serpentine Avenue, a Trish Conway hat-trick and two goals from Carol Metchette helped Old Alexandra to a 5-2 victory over Pembroke Wanderers, for whom Ali McSweeney and Helen Shearan scored.