Old foes to renew rivalry

HOCKEY:  So much for the theory that Pegasus and Hermes might be susceptible to a shock in Saturday's Irish Senior Cup semi-finals.

Cork Harlequins and Corinthian did their level best to upset the odds - and if it hadn't been for Hermes goalkeeper Tara Browne Corinthian might have succeeded - but the greatest rivalry in recent Irish hockey history will have another chapter added to the saga on April 4th when Hermes and Pegasus meet in the Irish Senior Cup final at Belfield.

Despite going a goal down after 14 minutes to Harlequins in Belfast - when Emer Dillon reverse-sticked Karen Bateman's pass home - Pegasus went on to secure a relatively comfortable 3-1 win. The margin of their victory would have been greater still but for Orla McCarthy's save from a Karen Humphreys' stroke, Jenny Barry clearing a Susie Martin effort off the line, and Arlene Boyles hitting the upright from a short corner.

The Munster champions, though, led at half-time after an even first 35 minutes, but as soon as Sarah Wilkinson levelled, two minutes after the break, Pegasus took control. Humphreys, Martin and Boyles were all denied before Humphreys created the opening for an unmarked Wilkinson to score her second after 55 minutes, before Claire McMahon struck four minutes later.

The meeting of Hermes and Corinthian at Booterstown proved to be a more even affair, with extra-time required to separate the teams after a scoreless 70 minutes. By then Browne had denied Corinthian with three fine saves, Susie Geoffroy the chief victim of the former Irish goalkeeper's agility. It was one of Hermes' survivors from that 1999 cup win over Pegasus, their first ever victory over the Belfast side, who clinched the Irish club champions a place in their fifth final in eight years, Mary Logue firing past Sarah Hooper nine minutes into extra-time.

The change of date for the final - from March 27th to April 4th - to accommodate RTÉ's coverage of the men's and women's games means both Hermes and Pegasus should have their Irish players available for selection, with the Olympic Qualifier in New Zealand ending on March 28th.

The old rivals will also meet in this year's Irish Junior Cup final following Pegasus II's 1-0 win over Ards II - Ally Crompton got the goal - in their semi-final in Belfast. Hermes II won their semi-final last month when they beat Pembroke Wanderers II.

Retaining the Leinster League division one title could, though, prove beyond Hermes who drew 0-0 with leaders Loreto at Beaufort yesterday. Loreto, who beat UCD 2-0 on Saturday with two Cathy McKean goals, now lead Hermes, who have two games in hand, by 12 points, with Corinthian and Old Alexandra a further point behind (both teams have a game in hand on Hermes).