Familiar look to semi-final line-up

SINCE THE Irish Hockey League began in 2009 Loreto, Railway Union and Pegasus have won the competition, and all three clubs take their place in tomorrow’s semi-finals at Lisnagarvey.

Completing the line-up are Hermes who, while enjoying frequent success in the IHL’s predecessor, the All-Ireland Club Championships, have yet to add this particular title to their roll of honour.

Hermes were beaten finalists last year, losing 4-1 to Pegasus, reaching the decider by getting past the then defending champions, Railway – and it is Railway who they meet again in this year’s semi-finals.

When the teams last played, on the final day of the Leinster Division One season, a 2-2 draw cost Railway the title, UCD prevailing on games won, despite Hermes being without a slew of key players.

They should be back at full strength tomorrow, and won’t be short of confidence after winning all five of their group games – the only team in the competition with a perfect record.

Railway, though, limbered up for the game with a 9-0 drubbing of Armagh in the Irish Senior Cup last weekend, so their morale should be in good shape too.

Pegasus, meanwhile, have to pick themselves up after being knocked out of the cup by UCD, while their opponents tomorrow, Loreto, advanced in that competition with an impressive 5-0 defeat of Old Alexandra.

The Leinster side, like Hermes and Railway, came through the group stage unbeaten, scoring 17 goals in five games, a tally matched only by Ballymoney.

Two intriguing contests, then, with the winners meeting in Sunday’s final (1.30pm).

FIXTURES – Irish Hockey League (at Lisnagarvey):Tomorrow – semi-finals: Hermes v Railway Union, 10.30; Loreto v Pegasus, 12.30. Sunday – final, 1.30.