After a thoroughly miserable 1997-98 season, when they failed to take a point from any of their 18 fixtures, Clontarf could have done without having to face Hermes at Belfield on the opening day of the new campaign. Any hopes they had that the defending Statoil Leinster League champions would be a little rusty after the summer break were soon dispelled as they inflicted an 8-0 drubbing on their hapless opponents.
The goals were shared amongst six players, with Jenny Burke scoring a hat-trick and Mary Logue, making her competitive debut for the club, adding another. Caitriona Carey, who missed most of last season through injury, also got on the score sheet on Saturday. Muckross, last season's runners-up, also got off to a bright start with a 4-0 win over Genesis - Kathy Johnson and Claire Deacy scored two apiece - while Railway Union and Glenanne played out a scoreless draw at Park Avenue.
The match of the day, though, took place at Beaufort where Loreto survived a poor first-half performance to beat Old Alexandra 2-0.
Old Alexandra dominated the opening exchanges, and came close to taking the lead through Tracey Skoyles, Trish Conway and Jan Perrin, but Loreto finally found their rhythm in the second half, with newcomers Sarah Scott and Cathy McKean combining with Elaine Goddard in attack. Caitriona O'Kelly, the game's outstanding player, broke the deadlock in the 48th minute, when she swept home a pass from a long corner.
In the 57th minute Loreto secured the points with a superb goal, scored by Carol Parnell, who finished off a thrilling attack.
In Munster, Harlequins opened the defence of their league title with a 3-1 win at home to Church of Ireland; - in Ulster Pegasus beat Victorians 7-0 - they have now scored 17 goals in just two league matches.
