HOCKEY:IT PROVED to be yet another profitable weekend for Railway Union, their 5-0 defeat of Pembroke Wanderers in the league on Saturday lifting them in to the top three for the first time since their points-docking woes back in October. They followed up that victory yesterday by knocking Hermes out of the Jacqui Potter Cup, Cecilia Joyce getting their extra-time winner.

Hermes, though, stay top of the league after Áine Connery’s goal gave them the narrowest of victories over Trinity on Saturday. They maintain their two-point lead over Loreto, but have played two more games.

With less than five minutes to go at Beaufort Bray looked set to end Loreto’s perfect league record, goals from Linda O’Neill and Nicole Geeves cancelling out Hannah Matthews and Caitríona Tipping’s scores to make it 2-2. Matthews, though, set up a goal for Ali Meeke, before Nikki Keegan secured Loreto their eighth successive league victory.

Old Alexandra’s quest for a topfour finish received a considerable boost when they beat UCD 3-0, second-half goals from Nicola Gray (two) and Sinead Gleeson seeing off their rivals for Irish Hockey League qualification.

Yesterday, though, Alexandra’s hopes of retaining the Jacqui Potter Cup were ended by the team they beat in last season’s final, Pembroke Wanderers prevailing thanks to Anna O’Neill’s goal in extra time.

Back in the league, Corinthian remain rooted to the bottom of the table, their 2-0 defeat to Glenanne was their eighth in nine games.