Three penalty corner goals were enough to see Loreto into the Club Championships final as they made the most of their chances against a brave Railway Union.
Nikki Symmons broke the deadlock early on with a drag-flick before Clodagh Greally made it 2-0 with a direct hit in the 30th minute.
In between, Cathy McKean had the best chance from play when she rounded Jane Coyne but was unable to get a clean shot away.
Railway had spent much of the opening stages on the back foot but once they stepped up to a more aggressive press they began to assert a lot more pressure and spent long periods in the Beaufort side's territory.
Indeed, they dominated after the break, penetrating the Loreto circle 15 times in the second half alone.
But they were once again stung by a Loreto corner, Symmons drag-flick again sneaking in as Coyne could not get a strong enough glove to push the ball wide.
Solid defending from Greally and the classy Hannah Matthews meant Railway were rarely given much space in the D, though, with Jean McDonnell and Kate McKenna flashing reverse shots just wide from sharp half-chances.
McKenna also drew a smart save from Louisa Healy, again with a reverse and Jean McDonnell’s short corner strike shaved the outside of the post, with ten minutes remaining.
A brave performance to end Railway’s season while Loreto now look forward to a final appearance and the chance to break Hermes and Pegasus’ duopoly.
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