WOMENS HOCKEY: When she came into the Old Alexandra team last season, as a replacement for Nicky King who was away on Irish duty, under-21 goalkeeper Shauna Frey made quite an impression, with a string of top quality, brave displays.

On Saturday, though, even Frey didn't realise quite how brave her performance had been in the 2-1 defeat to Hermes until a trip to hospital after the game confirmed she had suffered a hairline fracture of the wrist. The injury was sustained when Frey went down to make a save early in the game, at which stage Alexandra led through a Trish Conway goal, and although she felt some pain she was content to carry on.

She could do nothing, though, to keep out Linda Caulfield's penalty stroke before the break nor, indeed, Aisling Keane's winner for Hermes in the second half.

"It's a big blow for us and a huge disappointment for Shauna, she'll be out for four to six weeks," said Alexandra coach Orla Bell.

Alexandra are, at least, well equipped in the goalkeeping department - King will step up from the seconds in Frey's absence - but Saturday's defeat, against fellow title contenders, was a significant setback.

Hermes are now level on 16 points with Loreto who, not for the first time this season, had to come from a goal down to take the points, beating Corinthians 3-1 at Whitechurch. Wendy Hobson gave the home side an early lead but Cathy McKean levelled near half-time and Orla Ryan and Caitriona O'Kelly secured the win for the champions with second-half goals.

Fourth-placed Railway Union made it four wins out of six against Clontarf at Park Avenue, but had to wait until the second half before finding a way through their opponents' spirited defence. Once they broke the deadlock, though, they were able to ease to a 4-0 win, their goals coming from Emma Smyth (two), Ciara O'Brien and Beth Maguire.

Similarly Three Rock failed to find their range until after the break in their game away to Genesis, when Dawn Kelly and Jill Thompson's scores helped them to a 2-0 win.

In Ulster Ballymoney remain top of the table after a 4-1 win at Belfast Harlequins. First-half goals from Bridget McKeever and Ruth Sutherland put Ballymoney 2-0 up at the break, Nikki McCaughern stretching their lead on 40 minutes before Suzanne Beaney pulled a goal back for Harlequins. Aine Kearney, though, restored Ballymoney's three-goal advantage, sealing a comfortable win. Goals from Arlene Boyles gave Pegasus a 2-1 win away to Knock.