Pegasus, Hermes win

WOMEN'S HOCKEY:PEGASUS AND Hermes, winners of five of the last seven Irish Senior Cups, won through to the semi-finals of the competition on Saturday, with Pegasus paired with UCD in the last four – a repeat of the remarkable 2009 final when the students beat the Ulster champions 4-1.

A week after beating Lurgan 2-0 in the league, a result that edged them ever closer to yet another title, Pegasus saw off the same opponents in the cup, goals from Claire McMahon, Nadine Graham, Vanessa Surgeoner and Michelle Harvey giving them a 4-1 victory.

Hermes’ game with Ulster Elks was a tighter affair, but only because they spurned several scoring opportunities in a goalless first half, including a penalty stroke that was saved.

Jenny Burke, though, broke the deadlock eight minutes after the break, with Lisa Jacob converting their second stroke of the game four minutes from time.

Elks pulled a goal back through Natalie Wise, but it came at the death, leaving no time for a comeback.

Hermes travel North again for the semi-finals, their opponents Ballymoney, who they beat on strokes in the 2005 final.

There was more good news for the Leinster club on Saturday when Loreto could only draw 3-3 with UCD, a result that puts them level on points with Railway in second place and a point behind Hermes.

The top three now have two games left to play, but Hermes can win the title tonight if they beat Railway and Loreto lose to Old Alexandra.

Meanwhile, at Belfield over the weekend, Limerick won the Irish Hockey Challenge, a Fenagh Smith hat-trick helping them to a 7-0 defeat of Dungarvan, while Lisnagarvey took the Irish Hockey Trophy with a 2-0 victory over Portadown.