WOMEN'S HOCKEY:NICOLA GRAY'S first-half goal for UCD against Old Alexandra on Monday night proved enough for the students to keep the pressure on Leinster Division One leaders Railway Union, the gap between first and second in the table is now just two points.
For the title race to get any closer, though, assuming they avoid dropping points themselves, both UCD and Loreto (another two points behind in third), need a favour from one or more of Railway’s five opponents between now and the end of the campaign – starting with Trinity tomorrow, followed by Corinthian, Three Rock, Hermes and Pembroke.
Of that group, only Hermes, the defending Leinster champions, are in the top half of the table, making Railway’s run-in look manageable enough. But Trinity have put up some impressive displays this season, not least in December when Railway had to work hard to beat them 2-0 at Park Avenue.
Both UCD and Loreto have home games tomorrow against teams from the bottom four, Corinthian and Glenanne respectively, so will expect to pick up wins.
Alexandra will look to tighten their grip on fourth place when they take on second-from-bottom Pembroke Wanderers.
Hermes, in fifth, play bottom club Three Rock.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Saturday– Leinster League, Division One: Pembroke Wanderers v Old Alexandra, Serpentine Avenue, 11.0; Trinity v Railway Union, Santry, 11.30; UCD v Corinthian, Belfield, 1.0; Hermes v Three Rock, St Andrews, 1.30; Loreto v Glenanne, Beaufort, 2.30.
