Wesley and Andrew's lead charge for honours

Stephen Findlater

The Premier League reaches critical mass in the coming weeks before Christmas with a series of key matches in the semi-final shake-up.

High School are one such hopeful, having started the year confidently with three wins from three.

They began with a 1-0 success over Mount Sackville. After an even first half, the second saw more aggression with chances for both sides, but it was the Rathgar school which looked more dangerous on the ball, and eventually broke the deadlock with Kate Barlow scoring from a short corner. They followed with a solid 2-0 win over Our Lady's Terenure in a composed performance.

Barlow struck again in the first half of that tie and they continued to dictate play and got their reward when a great run of play ended with a lovely ball in from Maolíosa Nugent for Jessie Meeke to double the lead.

Nugent proved the match-winner in their third tie, their first home tie of the season, against St Gerard's.

Played at a high tempo, some great drives up the right side from Jenny Long and Nugent caused problems, with the latter netting the only goal. St Gerard's were unable to break the resolve of goalkeeper Eve Roseingrave who kept her season clean-sheet.

Mount Anville are very much the team to beat, having also won three games to date, while Wesley lead the standings with a perfect record from four games.

The past week was set to sort the top-of-the-table issues but such matters are on hold due to the weather.

In Section B, a similar three-team battle is emerging for the two semi-final places. Reigning champions St Andrew's have stormed to four wins already, while Alex have impressed with three wins to date.

Loreto Beaufort, however, could have something to say in the matter, following their Orla Galvin-inspired win over Loreto Foxrock last week.

That was their fourth success from five games with the sole setback on their record against Andrew's, having got the better of Muckross, Holy Child Killiney and Mount Temple.

Loreto first team squad members Laura Delany and Carly Baker have been the driving forces, the former scoring a hat-trick in the win over Killiney.

The Foxrock win sets up a big tussle with Alexandra College with the winner in a great position to advance to the knock-out stages.

Senior Schoolgirl Premier League Standings

Section A (played-points): 1 Wesley College 4-12, 2 Mount Anville 3-9, 3 High School 3-9, 4 Our Lady's, Terenure 4-3, 5 Loreto, Dalkey 2-0, 6 Mount Sackville 3-0, 7 St Gerard's 3-0

Section B (played-points): 1 St Andrew's 4-12, 2 Loreto, Beaufort 5-12, 3 Alexandra College 3-9, 4 Muckross Park 2-1, 5 Mount Temple 4-1, 6 Loreto, Foxrock 3-0, 7 Holy Child, Killiney 3-0