HOCKEY:SARAH CLARKE marked her league debut for Loreto with a goal on Saturday in the club's 3-2 victory over defending champions Hermes at Beaufort, one of just three fixtures on the opening day of the campaign.

Clarke, who joined from Pembroke Wanderers during the summer, levelled for Loreto after Jenny Burke had given Hermes the lead on 15 minutes, the hosts going 2-1 up before the break through Cathy McKean.

Hannah Matthews stretched that lead 10 minutes in to the second half, with Katie Codyre pulling one back for Hermes.

A youthful Old Alexandra side began their campaign brightly with a draw away to Railway Union, Emily Beatty getting their goal with Emer Lucey scoring for Railway. Aoife Dalton and Audrey McCormack, meanwhile, gave Glenanne a winning start in their 2-1 victory over Corinthian.