Women's Hockey All-Ireland Club Championship: Four times in the last five years Pegasus denied them in the deciding game of the Club Championships, but finally, yesterday, Hermes freed themselves from their tag as bridesmaid to become national champions for the first time in the club's history.

It also booked a place in next season's European Club Championships.

Jenny Burke got the precious winning goal against the team seeking their sixth title in a row, in a game that both teams needed to win - a draw would have seen Old Alexandra take the title on goal difference after their marvellous 4-0 win over Cork Harlequins yesterday morning.

Burke, who only returned to action for Hermes a fortnight ago after a year's absence, was alert to Roly Burke's quickly taken free after 55 minutes, forcing home the rebound from Pegasus goalkeeper Sharon Moffett's block on her first effort.

Deirdre McDermott almost doubled the lead minutes later, her reverse-stick shot shaving the left post, before Tara Browne, who had already denied Suzie Martin, saved a point-blank effort from Claire McMahon, who has just announced her retirement from international hockey.

Heather Mullan deflected Arlene Boyles' corner strike just wide of the left post before Martin, with just a minute to go, failed to connect with Katharine Maybin's ball into the circle when she was well placed on the left.

Earlier in the day, Trish Conway inspired Alexandra to the 4-0 win they needed over Cork Harlequins to keep their title hopes alive, getting her second of the game and Alexandra's fourth with a strike from a corner after the final "hooter" had sounded. Conway was, deservedly, later named player of the tournament.

"Very, very proud of them," said Hermes coach Peter Darley after the game, before paying tribute to his squad, who have lost only two games all season, notably Fiona Connery and Caitriona Carey.

"It's been nine years of hard work for me and lots of others," said Carey, "this is the greatest day. We've been lucky enough to win a few trophies along the way but if you asked me which was the best I'd say this was it.

"To win the club championships on your own pitch, with the people you've trained with, your friends, means everything."

ALL-IRELAND CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS (at Belfield) - Old Alexandra 4 (T Conway 2, H Agar, A Bowers), Cork Harlequins 0; Hermes 1 (J Burke), Pegasus 0.