Loreto cannot afford to slip

HOCKEY:After the break for the under-21 interprovincial tournament last weekend, battle resumes on the women's club front tomorrow with the latest instalment in the increasingly absorbing contest for the Leinster first division title.

Ten games gone, eight to go, and still Pembroke Wanderers and Railway Union occupy the top positions in the table, with Loreto and Hermes, between them winners of the last 10 titles, in third and fourth positions.

The tie of the day is, undoubtedly, the meeting of Loreto and Railway at Beaufort. Defeat would not end the challenge of either club, there are too many points still to be played for, but the defending champions would leave themselves a sizeable task in the final third of the season if they were to fall four points behind Railway.

Pembroke, who lead Railway by a point, and Hermes, who are four points adrift of the leaders, play teams from the bottom four - Trinity and Genesis - and, so, will expect to pick up full points.

Ireland's Carole Metchette has been chosen to officiate at the Beijing Olympics, the first time Ireland has had a female umpire appointed to the Games.

FIXTURES

Tomorrow - Leinster League - Division One: Three Rock v Corinthian, Grange Road, 11.30; Genesis v Hermes, Belfield, 2.30; Old Alexandra v UCD, Booterstown, 2.45; Loreto v Railway Union, Beaufort, 4.0; Pembroke Wanderers v Trinity, Ballsbridge, 4.30.

Irish Junior Cup - Third round: Loreto II v Hermes II, Beaufort, 2.15; Belfast Harlequins II v Waterford, Deramore, 1.0; Glenanne v Our Lady's, Tallaght, 1.15; Galway v Wexford, Dangan, 12.0; Pembroke Wanderers II v Armagh II, Serpentine Avenue, 3.0; Randalstown II v Clontarf, Antrim Forum, 2.30; Suttonians v Pegasus II, Sutton Park, 2.30; Railway Union II v Bray, Park Avenue, 2.30.