O’Loughlin gives Munster early edge

MUNSTER stole an early march at the senior women’s hockey interprovincials, defeating Connacht 3-1 at Garryduff in Cork last night after Leinster and Ulster had blinked first earlier in the day.

Having watched the favoured duo play out a dour scoreless draw in the afternoon, Munster eventually found their feet in the second half to see off the westerners.

The visitors took a shock lead on eight minutes, as Irish international Louisa Moore scrappily finished off Audrey McCormack’s cross.