Hockey: Railway show their intent with impressive opening victory

Having sat out the opening weekend of the Hockey League, Railway Union began their campaign in style on Saturday when they came away from Cork Harlequins with a 6-0 win, while UCD and Pembroke Wanderers were the day’s other victors, getting the better of Muckross and Loreto, respectively.

There was only a goal between Railway and Harlequins at half-time in Farmers Cross, Florence Maughan having given the visitors the lead in the second quarter. But four goals in five third-quarter minutes sealed the points for Railway, with Emma Smyth added a sixth five minutes from time.

Back in Dublin, a top-class Hannah McLoughlin hat-trick sent UCD on their way to a 4-0 win over Muckross, the Olympian scoring all her goals with reverse strikes, while Pembroke produced a dazzling second-half display to beat Loreto 3-0. It was 0-0 at half-time, but Sinead Loughran, Leah McGuire and Tory Wensley all went on to find the net to give Pembroke an impressive win.

The day’s other game ended scoreless due largely to the performances of goalkeepers Holly Micklem, for Old Alexandra, and Pam Smithwick, for Catholic Institute, Smithwick denying Mikayla Power at the death with a fine save while Micklem and her defence managed to keep out nine Institute penalty corners.

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Hockey League – Division One: Cork Harlequins 0, Railway Union 6 (S Hawkshaw, F Maughen, K Dillon, K Lloyd, L Lloyd, E Smyth); Muckross 0, UCD 4 (H McLoughlin 3, S Cole); Old Alexandra 0, Catholic Institute 0; Pembroke Wanderers 3 (S Loughran, L McGuire, T Wensley), Loreto 0.