Loreto will hope to bounce back from the disappointment of Saturday's Irish Senior Cup exit at the hands of Old Alexandra when they meet Hermes tonight in a crucial, top-of-the-table Leinster League match at Loreto High School, Beaufort.

Hermes' 8-0 league win over Clontarf at the weekend stretched their lead over Loreto to four points, a gap they would widen to seven should they become the first team to beat Loreto in the league this season.

Jenny Burke is expected to return to the Hermes' attack after being rested for Saturday's match, while Loreto will hope to include Mary Barnwell in their line-up after she made her comeback from injury against Old Alexandra, coming on as a substitute in the first half of the cup match.

Meanwhile, at Whitechurch, Old Alexandra, who are 10 points adrift of Hermes, but with two games in hand, must beat Glenanne if they are to maintain their challenge for the title.