Hockey/ Setanta cup:There were mixed fortunes for the hosts in the Setanta Cup at Belfield yesterday, with the Irish men's 1-0 defeat of Egypt keeping them on course for a place in tomorrow's final, but the women's hopes of reaching the decider in their event receded after a 0-0 draw with Scotland.

A year ago the men lost 3-2 to Egypt at the World Cup Qualifier in China, having twice beaten them in Cairo earlier in the year, but yesterday they got back to winning ways against the visitors, John Jermyn converting a penalty corner midway through the first half to decide the game.

Canada's 2-0 win over Wales earlier in the day kept alive their hopes of making it through to the final, but having won their opening two pool games Ireland are in poll position - only a win for Canada over Egypt today and a defeat for the hosts by Wales would threaten their place in the final, and even then goal difference could see them through.

The women's team, meanwhile, are still finding goals hard to come by, their 0-0 draw with Scotland yesterday the third game running in which they have failed to score (after Wednesday's 0-0 against South Africa and another scoreless draw against Scotland in Dublin a fortnight ago).

Scotland, who conceded eight goals to Germany on Thursday, might well have taken all three points but for a fine save by Louisa Healy from Linda Clement and a clearance from a short corner by Cliodhna Sargent, but Ireland had the better of the game overall, and might even have snatched it at the death when Nikki Symmons' goalbound short corner strike was cleared, the suspicion being a foot might well have done the clearing.

Germany clinched their place in the final by beating South Africa 1-0, Julia Muller getting the winner 10 minutes from time, but Ireland will need to take at least a point from the Olympic champions today if they are to meet them again tomorrow in the tournament decider.

Setanta Cup(at Belfield) - Men: Canada 2, Wales 0; Ireland 1 (J Jermyn), Egypt 0. Women: Germany 1 (J Muller), South Africa 0; Ireland 0, Scotland 0.

Today- Men: Egypt v Canada, 5.0; Ireland v Wales, 7.0. Women: South Africa v Scotland, 1.0; Ireland v Germany, 3.0. Tomorrow - Men: Third place play-off, 2.05; Final, 4.30. Women: Third place play-off, 9.0am; Final: 11.25.