Leinster title race goes down to the wire

HOCKEY Women's round-up:So tight has been the battle at the top of the Leinster first division all season there was a certain inevitability about the title race going to the final day, and that more than two teams would be in contention.

And so it has proved - defending champions Hermes, Loreto and Old Alexandra all go in their final league fixtures of the campaign tomorrow still with a chance of winning the title.

However, Hermes' hopes of retaining their crown suffered a severe blow last night when they could only draw with Pembroke Wanderers in their penultimate league fixture of the season, Aoife Harte securing them a point after Aoife O'Gorman had given Pembroke the lead.

Only a draw tomorrow, therefore, between the top two - league leaders Loreto and second-placed Old Alexandra - combined with a Hermes win over Railway Union, would result in the defending champions holding on to their title. A win for either Loreto or Alexandra in the game at Beaufort would give them the title.

Last night's result all but ended Pembroke's quest for a top three finish - they could still draw level with Hermes, if they beat Clontarf and Hermes lost to Railway, but they have a vastly inferior goal difference.

LEINSTER LEAGUE:Division One: Tomorrow: Pembroke Wanderers v Clontarf, Ballsbridge, 12.0; Corinthian v Trinity, Whitechurch, 2.30; Loreto v Old Alexandra, Beaufort, 2.30; Railway Union v Hermes, Sandymount, 2.30. Division Two: Tomorrow: Pembroke Wanderers II v Loreto II, Ballsbridge, 10.30; Corinthian II v Railway Union II, Whitechurch, 11.15; Hermes II v Diocesan, Booterstown, 1.30; Glenanne v Genesis, Tallaght, 1.0. Sunday: Genesis v Hermes II, Grange Road, 3.15.