WOMEN'S HOCKEY:WHEN THEIR victory over Bray last September was overturned by the Leinster Branch because of a player registration error, Railway Union's hopes of retaining their title were dented. They receded further in November when they dropped four points in two days in draws with Old Alexandra and Hermes.

Since then, though, the champions have won seven games in a row, scoring 36 goals and conceding just one. Their latest victory, earlier this week, was the most significant, though, one that ended Loreto’s perfect league record this season.

Former Irish international Jeamie Deacon, who was a prolific scorer in her Old Alexandra days, got two of Railway’s goals in a 4-1 victory, her addition to the squad for the second half of the season proving to be quite a coup for the club. The Wexford native, who played with Waterford before joining Alexandra, had a successful spell in college hockey in the United States with Michigan State. She ranked seventh on their all-time goalscorers’ list by the time she was done, despite playing just three seasons – at least one less than most of the players above her.

Railway, then, are back in the hunt, the title race now a genuine three-team affair – the win over Loreto, ahead of Hermes’ game with Bray last night, lifted them to the top of the table, but with just two points separating the top three. With two games in hand on their rivals it is, though, still Loreto’s to lose. While Railway take the weekend off they play Pembroke Wanderers at home tomorrow, with Hermes away to bottom club Corinthian.

Leinster League – Division One – Tomorrow: Corinthian v Hermes, Whitechurch, 12.0; Glenanne v Trinity, Glenanne Park, TBC; Loreto v Pembroke Wanderers, Beaufort, 1.45; UCD v Bray, Belfield, TBC.

Irish Hockey Trophy – Second round – Tomorrow: Three Rock v Galway, Grange Road, 2.30.