AS WEEKENDS go that wasn’t a bad one for Hermes. First, on Saturday, they not only ended Railway Union’s perfect record in all competitions this season, they smashed it, beating the Leinster champions 5-1 on their own turf. The result lifts Hermes to top of the table, a point clear of Railway and Loreto (whose game against Pembroke Wanderers was postponed), both of whom have a game in hand.

Twenty-four hours later Hermes returned to the same venue and beat their hosts again, this time in the quarter-finals of the Leinster Senior Cup.

Saturday’s scoreline was an extraordinary one, not least because Railway, who had kept six clean sheets in their previous eight league games, were 1-0 up after 10 minutes through Nikki Evans. Over the next hour, though, Hermes found the net five times.

By half-time they were 2-1 up through superb solo efforts from Jenny Burke and Chloe Watkins, and after weathering a promising spell by Railway after the break they ran away with the game. Anna O’Flanagan created the third for Aine Connery and then scored twice herself, sealing an outstanding victory for Eric Fintelman’s side.

It was Connery who settled yesterday’s Leinster Senior Cup tie with the only goal of the game, leaving Hermes on course for a four-in-a-row in the competition.

Old Alexandra, Corinthian and Pembroke Wanderers join them in the draw for the semi-finals, their victories over Loreto II, Glenanne and Old Alexandra II putting them through.

In Munster UCC, division one’s only unbeaten side, retained top spot in the table with a 3-0 win over Waterford, while Catholic Institute, a point behind the students, got the better of third-placed Church of Ireland – Rosie Pratt’s goal five minutes before the break deciding the game.

Cork Harlequins, chasing their 15th title in a row, bounced back from last week’s defeat to Bandon with a 7-0 win over Ashton, former internationals Rachael Kohler and Karen Bateman sharing five of their goals.

They trail UCC by 10 points, but have the advantage of three games in hand.

• Details in SPORTS ROUND-UP