Seventeen goals between them and none conceded, the top four in the Leinster first division all picked up wins on Saturday, a Katie Mullan hat-trick helping leaders UCD to the most comfortable victory of the four, a 7-0 defeat of Corinthian.

Fifth-placed Pembroke Wanderers, though, slipped up away to Trinity, Anna-May Whelan getting the only goal of the game for the students, but Old Alexandra's 3-0 defeat by Hermes means Pembroke still have a four-point cushion.

Hermes
Hermes, for whom Aine Connery scored twice, stay four points behind UCD and one ahead of Railway, who eased to a 6-0 win against bottom club North Kildare, Jean McDonnell getting two.

Loreto, level on points with Railway, had a tougher afternoon of it, a single goal, scored by Sarah Clarke, settling their game against Glenanne.

In Munster, leaders UCC and second-placed Cork Harlequins retained their unbeaten records after their 1-1 draw at the Mardyke, Amy Kate Trevor getting UCC's goal, Cliodhna Sargent scoring for Harlequins.