Hermes make an early cup exit

WOMEN'S HOCKEY:HERMES, the 2005 and 2006 Irish Senior Cup winners, were the biggest name casualties of the first round of the competition on Saturday, UCD winning their tie in Booterstown on penalty strokes after the game had finished 1-1. Loreto, though, came through the round's other all-Leinster tie, beating Trinity 4-1, while league leaders Railway Union had a comfortable 3-0 win away to UCC.

Hermes’ day had started well, Christine Quinlan giving them a first half-lead against the students, but Holly Jenkinson levelled for Mary Logue’s side after the break and strokes were required to separate the teams – Irish international Roisín Flinn converted the decisive stroke for UCD.

Lucy Small gave Trinity a surprise lead against Loreto but the 2003 cup winners fought back with four goals, Nikki Symmons scoring twice, to ease through. Kate McKenna, Emer Dillon and Emma Smyth, meanwhile, shared the goals that gave Railway an impressive victory over a UCC side that might have fancied their chances of troubling the visitors.

Bray and Genesis were less successful on their travels, the Leinster sides losing to Lisnagarvey and Armagh respectively, Genesis suffering an 8-1 drubbing by Armagh, for whom Rachel Mulligan scored a hat-trick.

But two more Leinster sides progressed, a Karen Hales’ goal deciding Pembroke Wanderers’ tie away to Ulster’s Knock and a double from Amanda Walker helping Corinthian to a 3-2 win over Victorians.

Church of Ireland, who, like cup holders Pegasus, Belfast Harlequins, Glenanne and Old Alexandra, received a bye in to the second round, are the sole remaining Munster representatives in the competition after UCC, Cork Harlequins and Catholic Institute’s exits.

Harlequins scored three times away to Ballymoney but their hosts doubled that tally in a goal-fest of a game at the Joey Dunlop Centre, Nikki Parke and Julie Alison scoring two apiece in a 6-3 victory. Catholic Institute also went out, losing 6-5 on penalty strokes to Lurgan after a 1-1 draw.

Ulster Elks underlined their growing status up north when they beat Ards with a goal from French international Philippine Berly – the game between Randalstown and Cookstown was postponed.