Corinthians ready to challenge for title

WOMENS HOCKEY: For so many recent seasons in the Leinster first division the competition for the title was rarely more than a two-horse affair, Loreto and Hermes the main runners, with Old Alexandra turning it into a three-way chase in the last couple of years.

While it's still probable this season's champions will come from one of those clubs the division is taking on a healthily competitive look, with Corinthians, Pembroke Wanderers, UCD and Railway Union all more than capable of troubling the top three.

Corinthians finished fifth in the table last season and will have their eye on qualification, at the very least, for the All-Ireland quarter-finals. Their credentials were tested on Saturday by the visit of Hermes and they rose to the challenge, drawing 1-1 with the All-Ireland champions.

While their goalkeeper Sarah Hooper had a busy afternoon, Corinthians forced the bulk of the short corners, winning eight, with Nicki Jolley, Susie Geoffroy and newcomer Sarah McMaster (former Irish under-21 captain) in fine form.

Hermes seemed set for victory, leading through a first-half goal from Molly Powers with just two minutes to go, before Wendy Hobson scored from a corner to give the home side a point.

After losing last week to Hermes, Pembroke Wanderers got back on track on Saturday, beating Clontarf 3-0 with second-half goals from Siobhán Kane and Lorna Hill adding to Wendy Cullen's first-half strike. Railway Union, too, had a 3-0 win, beating Genesis, with Ciara O'Brien scoring her third goal in as many games - Ros Lynch and Kate Dillon got the other scores.

The result was further encouragement for Railway, where Denise McCarthy has returned as assistant coach to Una McCarthy, who have started the season promisingly. The club has increased its number of women's teams from four to six, all of whom now play on a new water-based pitch.

The return of O'Brien is an indication of the club's ambition, with the squad further strengthened by the arrival of Isobel Joyce from Trinity (also an Irish cricket international) and Sinead Walsh from Loreto - although Walsh is nursing a broken wrist.

A mix-up over umpires - only one turned up - forced the postponement of the game between UCD and Three Rock at Belfield while at Milltown last year's top two, Old Alexandra and Loreto, drew 1-1. Hazel Agar gave Alexandra the lead but Orla Ryan levelled before the break.