After the hockey weekend just passed it's hard to know where to start. Take your pick from the headlines - the Sharwoods' Irish Senior Cup holders Cork Harlequins were knocked out by Pegasus in the quarter-finals, Pembroke Wanderers rose to the occasion to get the better of Old Alexandra, Hermes produced some of the best hockey you're likely to see this season in their 4-0 win over Portadown and Ballymoney reached the semi-finals of the competition for the second year running, eliminating Randalstown.

And, for good measure, the draw for the semi-finals paired Pegasus and Hermes in Belfast (a repeat of last season's draw), news of which was greeted by heavy sighs from both camps.

No complaints, though, from Ballymoney or Pembroke, both of whom will now be eyeing March's final, viewing it as significantly more than an impossible dream.

Hermes and Pegasus reached the last four in a similar fashion, weathering early pressure from their determined opponents, taking a 1-0 lead into the break before running out 4-0 winners after emphatic second half displays. The scoreline was, perhaps, unkind to Harlequins who battled gamely in the opening stages against Pegasus in Belfast but once Claire McMahon broke the deadlock the Ulster side took control.

Hermes, too, might have won by at least double their 4-0 winning margin but Portadown's Irish under-18 goalkeeper, Leanne Forsythe, was in superb form.

While Portadown's captain Jill Orbinson, a gutsy, bighearted player who must surely be given more opportunities at international level, was prominent throughout, Catriona Carey was simply outstanding. Playing in a deeper role than usual, to counteract Orbinson's forays from midfield, she still got forward enough to create havoc in the Portadown defence, scoring twice and creating the goal of the game for Jenny Burke after a wonderful mazy run from Carol Devine.

If Hermes can repeat that form in Belfast next month the Leinster side stand more than a reasonable chance of beating Pegasus in their own back yard.

Over at Serpentine Avenue Pembroke lived up to the tag of Leinster's most unpredictable side. After losing 5-1 to Old Alexandra in the league earlier this season they shouldn't have beaten them in the Cup - but they did. Second half goals from Emma Glanville and Kathryn Governey, both following short corners, sealed the win, setting up an away tie against Ballymoney who won by the same scoreline against Randalstown.

Meanwhile UCD, Hermes and Loreto won through to the semi-finals of the Coca Cola Leinster Senior Cup yesterday, joining Loreto II (who won their tie earlier this month) in the draw. Hermes, who beat their second team 5-0, will play Loreto II, last season's beaten finalists while Loreto's firsts (for whom Cathy McKean scored the only goal of the game against Pembroke II) will meet UCD who edged past Senior B's Avoca, winning 2-1.