THE INAUGURAL weekend of the Irish Hockey League produced five highly competitive matches, only Loreto posting a comprehensive win with their 5-2 defeat of Belfast Harlequins at Beaufort yesterday. Four games were won by a goal, the other ending in a draw.

In Pool A Railway Union conceded a last-minute winner to Pegasus, the Ulster champions, in Belfast. Kate McKenna gave Railway the lead after just two minutes, but five minutes after the break Suzanne Beaney levelled for the home side, before Kirsty McCollum snatched the points with the last strike of the match.

Belfast Harlequins found themselves 4-0 down after 12 minutes yesterday, Zara Delany scoring a hat-trick in just eight minutes for Loreto, with Cathy McKean getting the fourth. Kelly Thornton pulled a goal back for the Ulster side before McKean made it 5-1, Sarah Wilkinson getting a consolation score for the visitors.

A 51st-minute short-corner strike from Mel Ryan gave Church of Ireland the points in their home tie against Randalstown, putting them level on three points with Pegasus - Loreto top the table after the opening weekend.

Hermes and Pembroke Wanderers are the early leaders in Pool B after beating UCD and Armagh, respectively. Linda Caulfield (2) and Christine Quinlan goaled for Hermes at Belfield yesterday. Lisa Jacob and Fiona Braddish secured UCD a bonus point (for losing by less than two goals).

Karen Hales and Louis Moore scored as Pembroke beat Armagh, whose only goal came from Emma Stewart, at Serpentine Avenue.

The only draw of the weekend was at the Joey Dunlop Centre, Bridget McKeever putting Ballymoney ahead before Cliodhna Sargent converted a short corner for Cork Harlequins.