It's "as you were" at the top of the Statoil-sponsored Leinster Senior A League table, after all four of the leading title challengers collected maximum points in their matches on Saturday. Three of the four were made to work hard for their victories but Muckross strolled to a 7-0 win over Clontarf who, after five matches, are still searching for their first point of the season.
Six Muckross players got on the scoresheet at Dardistown, with Kathy Johnson's double completing the drubbing. Meanwhile Belfield was the venue for the matches involving three of the teams hoping to succeed Muckross as Leinster champions.
The early-morning fixture between Trinity and Old Alexandra was settled in the latters' favour by a Tracey Skoyles goal, the sweeper's third in six matches since joining Old Alex from Clontarf during the summer. Next out were Loreto and Pembroke Wanderers. Pembroke may be anchored in the nether regions of the league table but, under the guidance of Dutch coach Rudi Wortmann, they have proved stubborn opposition this season. Loreto found them no more accommodating on Saturday.
Once again Mary Barnwell's goalscoring habit came to Loreto's rescue - her 10th league goal of the season (making her the first Leinster Senior A player to reach double figures in the new campaign) gave her team the three points in a 2-1 victory.
The final episode in the day's "triple-header" featured Hermes and Railway Union and saw the hosts winning their sixth successive match by beating Railway 2-0. Jenny Burke opened the scoring late in the first half, with her seventh of the season, before full back Sinead McDonnell atoned for an earlier penalty miss by converting a stroke four minutes from the end.
Glenanne moved to joint fifth in the table by maintaining their encouraging start to the season when a Caroline O'Leary goal gave them victory over Genesis at Loughlinstown.
Harlequins won the big match of the weekend in Munster, beating UCC 2-1 with goals from Jean Logue and Joyce Kehilly. Earlier in the day, at the same venue, Church of Ireland II beat Ashton in a penalty strokes competition after the teams were level at 1-1 at the end of normal time in their first round Irish Junior Cup match.
The long-running saga of who, if anyone, is prepared to host the first division of the European Club Championship appears, finally, to have been resolved. After Muckross were invited to host the event, but then had the offer withdrawn, the FIH were on the verge of cancelling the Championship. Now Southgate men's club have offered Slough, for whom Irish international Sarah Kelleher plays, the chance to host the championship at their London home in Trent Park.
