WOMEN'S HOCKEY:THEY STILL have eight games to play in the Leinster first division but Loreto are now firm favourites to win the title after their 3-1 victory over Hermes on Saturday put them four points clear at the top of the table, with a game in hand.

Aine Connery of Hermes opened the scoring on five minutes. Loreto, without Nicci Daly (broken finger) and the ill Caitriona Tipping, levelled within 10 minutes through Cathy McKean and two goals from Nikki Symmons sealed the deal.

Meanwhile in Tallaght, Armagh upset the odds in the National Indoor Trophy when they beat champions Railway Union 2-1 in the final, having defeated Old Alexandra, Galway and Trinity en route to the decider.