Loreto to lose points for playing O'Kelly

Loreto's hopes of winning this season's Senior A title have been hit by a Leinster Council decision to dock the club three points for allegedly fielding an ineligible player in their 4-0 win against UCD on January 8th.

The decision, it is understood, was made at last Wednesday's Leinster Council meeting and although no press release has been issued on the matter it was widely known around Leinster grounds on Saturday afternoon.

Loreto are reluctant to comment publicly on the decision for now but when contacted club president Elma Connolly issued the following statement: "We are obviously very unhappy at the decision. We have taken legal advice and in the circumstances it would be inappropriate to comment further."

The dispute centres around Irish international Caitriona O'Kelly's appearance in the league match against UCD last month. O'Kelly had been unable to travel with the Irish squad to Barcelona for their training camp because of work commitments but was given permission to play in the UCD game by Irish coach Riet Kuper who wanted the player to retain her match fitness.

In the absence of a press release from the Leinster Council, it can only be surmised that she was deemed ineligible because of the Irish Council ruling that internationals could not play league hockey after Christmas and that the club should have sought clarification on the matter from Ireland before fielding the player.

This is the second dispute to have arisen between a Leinster club and the Branch Council this season, following their decision to reverse the Irish Council's ruling that Hermes could play their five internationals in their re-arranged fixture against Old Alexandra. Meanwhile the draw for the semi-finals of the Irish Senior Cup made yesterday ensures that either Ballymoney or Harlequins will reach their first ever final. The Ulster side was drawn at home to Harlequins while the second semi-final will be a repeat of last year's decider when Hermes beat Pegasus. The Ulster champions, though, will have home advantage in the semi-final, both of which will be played on April 15th.

It proved to be a memorable weekend for South-East who won the Junior Inter-provincial tournament in Galway, beating holders Ulster in a penalty strokes competition after the two provinces finished level on points and goal difference.

In the Leinster League, Old Alexandra stay top of the table on goal difference from Loreto after their 5-0 win over Railway Union but Hermes dropped points in a 0-0 draw with Pembroke Wanderers, for whom goalkeeper Nikki King was outstanding, before beating UCD 3-0 yesterday. Two goals from Mary Barnwell helped Loreto to a 3-0 win over Glenanne, but whether or not the club is on 34 or 31 points depends on the outcome of their appeal against the Leinster Council's decision to dock them three.

The Leinster Senior Schoolgirls' League semi-finals will take place at Grange Road on Wednesday and not today as originally scheduled.