Late goal drama as Pegasus lose to UCD and Quins denied victory by Pembroke

PEGASUS have relinquished their position at the top of the EY Irish Hockey League after an agonising 3-2 defeat to UCD in Dublin yesterday.

The Belfast side led 2-1 going into the final quarter but conceded two late goals to drop to second in the table after a last-second strike saw Loreto go top after a 1-0 victory over Cork Harlequins.

Sarah Patton gave UCD an early lead but Pegasus hit back with goals from Alex Speers and a Taite Doherty corner.

The Dublin students levelled through Niamh Carey and then Abbie Russell grabbed the winner with three minutes left.

Belfast Harlequins were denied by a late Pembroke equaliser as the teams drew 3-3 at Serpentine Avenue.

Gill Pinder gave the Dubliners an early lead but Quins fought

On target: Alex Speers back with second half strikes from Jenna Watt and Lizzie Colvin to move 2-1 ahead.

Orla Macken levelled and then Watt made it 3-2 before Pinder snatched Pembroke a point with a 62nd minute equaliser.

Meanwhile at domestic level, Ballymoney have gone to the top of the Ulster Premier League following a 2-0 win over Ulster Elks on Saturday at the Joey Dunlop Centre after Aine Kearney and Katie Mullan scored in the last 10 minutes.

Champions Lurgan had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Queen’s at the Dub where Sarah McClure’s 64th minute equaliser cancelled out Rebecca Quinn’s first half opener.

Rainey’s 1-0 home win over fellow strugglers Ballymena has moved the Magherafelt side up three places after they started the day bottom.

Randalstown are still in deep relegation trouble after losing 2-1 at Dungannon while Lisnagarvey went up to third place after a 3-1 away win over Banbridge.

Results: EYHL: Loreto 1 Cork Harlequins 0; Pembroke 3 Belfast Harlequins 3 (J Watt 2, L Colvin); Railway Union 2 Old Alex 1; UCD 3 Pegasus 2 (A Speers, T Doherty);

Irish Hockey Challenge semi-finals: Clonmel 3 Tipperary 2; Dromore 1 (H Buchanan) NUIG II 0; Ulster Premier: Ballymoney 2 (A Kearney, K Mullan) Ulster Elks 0; Banbridge 1 (P Haugh) Lisnagarvey 3 (J Flynn, K McIlwaine, R Houston); Dungannon 1 (J Elliott, J Hood) Randalstown 1 (T Robinson); Queen’s 1 (R Quinn) Lurgan 1 (S McClure); Rainey 1 (B Scott) Ballymena 0; Senior One: Armagh 1 0 Club KV 3 (J Doak, J Orr, S Patterson); Coleraine 1 (A McGill) CI 2 (L Ternahan, K Willis); Omagh 0 Priorians 2 (N Lowry, R McSparron); Raphoe 3 (W Patterson 2 L Patterson) Castle 1 (E McMaw).

Blistering pace: Mark Wood