Title battles come down to the last

HOCKEY: Calculators at the ready, it's going to be one of those weekends. A seemingly endless list of permutations means a host of issues have to be resolved in the Leinster, Ulster and Munster leagues, not least the destination of two division one titles and the line-up for the All-Ireland Club quarter-finals.

Hermes, Loreto and Old Alexandra remain in contention for the Leinster title, but Loreto's 1-1 draw with Corinthian on Wednesday night, just three days after they retained the Irish Senior Cup, leaves Hermes best placed to retain their crown.

Third-placed Alexandra, though, like Loreto three points behind Hermes with two games to play, aren't out of the title equation: if they can take six points from their two games this weekend, against bottom two Glenanne and Trinity, they would then miss out on the title only if Hermes took four points from their last two fixtures (against Genesis and Loreto) or Loreto collected maximum points against UCD, tomorrow, and Hermes on Wednesday.

Whatever happens this weekend Alexandra should, at least, be assured of a "post-Christmas" top three finish, guaranteeing a play-off for qualification to the club quarter-finals. Pembroke Wanderers, who finished third in the first "half" of the season, lost to Railway Union midweek, ending their hopes of automatically qualifying for the quarter-finals. If UCD can beat Loreto tomorrow they will not only all but end Loreto's title aspirations, but would also probably leave Loreto needing to win a play-off to reach the last eight of the All-Irelands.

If you're not sufficiently confused by now, have a look at the promotion/relegation battles in Leinster. Trinity must win their two games this weekend, against Pembroke and Alexandra, to have any hope of finishing above Genesis in division one. If they fail in that task their only hope of retaining their division one status would be if Hermes II pipped Clontarf for second in division two - but if Clontarf beat Aer Lingus they will replace Trinity in the top flight. Aer Lingus can avoid relegation from division two if they beat Clontarf and if Corinthian II fail to beat Pembroke Wanderers II.

Belfast Harlequins are assured of third place in the Ulster first division, but first and second places will be determined by the outcome of Pegasus and Ards' games tomorrow. The teams are level on points.