Sport

Hermes likely to finish on a high

Women's Hockey : Hermes, showing commanding form in defence of their All-Ireland title, should be capable of completing the …

Dermot Ashmore At Garryduff
Mon May 02 2005 - 01:00

Women's Hockey: Hermes, showing commanding form in defence of their All-Ireland title, should be capable of completing the Howard Holdings-sponsored tournament with a flourish when they take on Pegasus in Garryduff's new arena this afternoon.

The Irish Senior Cup winners followed up a 3-0 defeat of Randalstown on Saturday by overpowering Railway Union 5-1 yesterday, whereas Pegasus were held 3-3 by Railway in their opening game and then finished with no more than a 3-2 win against Randalstown.

So, while a draw will suffice for Hermes today, they will be expected to achieve the double in style, allowing Ballymoney, the beaten cup finalists, to have a passage to Europe.

Jenny Burke put away three short corner goals against Randalstown and the indefatigable Ireland striker opened the account against Railway. Carol Devine and a much refreshed Mary Logue made it 3-0 by the interval, after which Catriona Carey scored twice, though Sinéad Dooley replied spiritedly with a strike for Railway.

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Dooley had also seized a chance to give her team an early lead against Pegasus. The Ulster side soon drew level through Jill Orbison from a short corner; but Kate Dillon neatly put Railway back in front and with Jane Coyne having an inspired game in the Dubliners' goal, it remained 2-1 at the break.

Although Claire McMahon made it 2-2 following a set-piece switch, Ciara O'Brien found an opening for Louise McDermott to leave Railway in front again.

Pegasus, however, were too accomplished to succumb to the debutantes and duly saved a point with Orbison scoring clinically.

Yesterday, Pegasus swept into a 3-0 lead in the first 15 minutes at Randalstown's expense as Arlene Boyles (2) and Karen Humphreys found the target from set-pieces. But Katie Saunderson notably refused to make any further concessions; when they became trifle jaded, however, Claire Parkhill provided the impetus for Linsey Black and Shauna Park to reduce the margin to the minimum.

Overall this first championship to be staged outside Dublin has yielded top-class fare in an ambience much enlivened by the enthusiasm of Cork supporters, as well as the Irish Hockey Association's fresh drive for prestige.