Old Alexandra setting the pace

HOCKEY:While Pegasus got the win over the weekend that makes them firm favourites to retain the league title they have held for so long in Ulster, the Leinster First Division heads for the holiday break with just four points separating first and fourth in the table, ensuring an interesting second half to the season.

Old Alexandra go in to the break as the division's only unbeaten team after their 1-0 defeat of Loreto on Saturday, thanks to late Jeamie Deacon goal, although Fred McDarby's team, now top of the table, suffered some frustration yesterday when they could only draw with in-form UCD at Milltown.

Loreto, then, can regain top spot if they beat Railway Union tomorrow night.

Having lost their unbeaten record to Loreto last weekend, champions Hermes got back on track yesterday with a 2-1 win over Railway, with goals from Mary Logue and Ais Keane. The win moved them up to second. Pembroke's 5-0 win away to Clontarf keeps them in contention, in fourth place.

In Ulster, Pegasus moved eight points clear at the top of the table with their fifth successive win, a 6-0 defeat of Ballymena, in which old Irish stalwarts Claire McMahon (three) and Arlene Boyles (two) got the bulk of their goals. Meanwhile, the scorer of their sixth, Suzanne Beaney, has confirmed her retirement from international hockey, having won over 50 caps for Ireland.