Railway Union retained the Irish women’s national title to earn a return ticket to the EHL as they held off Loreto in last Sunday’s final.
It gives them the chance to emulate their historic debut at Easter when they became the first Irish side to win in EHL Women.
A physical opening quarter saw Loreto dominate possession but Railway Union produce two eventually vital moments.
A Railway penalty corner in the fourteenth minute was dispatched by Róisín Upton to open the scoring.
Just two minutes later, Katie Mullan stung the palms of fellow Ireland compatriot Elizabeth Murphy with a powerful reverse shot, the resulting lose ball falling to Emma Smyth to volley into the net on her reverse stick.
Loreto – who had won the regular EY Hockey League title – did get one back from a penalty stroke in the fourth quarter from Caitlin Sherin but Railway held on for back-to-back national crowns.
