Women's Hockey: European champions Holland, the second-ranked team in the world, gave Ireland a torrid opening to their friendly in Den Bosch yesterday, taking a 3-0 lead after just five minutes, but added only one more score in the next 65 after Ireland finally sorted out their defence.
The match was held in honour of Mijntne Donners, niece of Irish coach Riet Kuper and now Holland's most capped player (193), and would have ended in a heavier defeat if it wasn't for the performance of goalkeeper Nikki King who replaced Angela Platt in the second half.
The squad play Holland again tomorrow and on Wednesday in two practice games.
The under-21s, meanwhile, had a disappointing weekend at Belfield in the Celtic Cup, losing 4-2 to France on Saturday and 3-1 to Scotland yesterday to finish third in the tournament. All six goals in the French game came in the first half, with Jessica Lynch and Sarah Wilkinson levelling for Ireland after they had gone 2-0 down. Poor defending, though, saw the French reclaim their two goal advantage, which they held for the rest of the game.
Karen Hales brought Ireland back into yesterday's game, which Ireland needed to win by three clear goals to beat France to the title on goal difference, equalising from a penalty stroke in the 44th minute after Julie Kilpatrick had given Scotland a first-half lead.
Kilpatrick restored the lead 10 minutes later before Ailsa Roberston made it 3-1, clinching the Celtic Cup for Scotland.
IRELAND (v Holland): A Platt; C O'Brien, D Sixsmith, L Caulfield, K Maybin, E Cregan, J Orbinson, R Kohler (capt), J McDonough, C McKean, L McVicker. Subs: N King, N Symmons, T Conway, F Connery, B McKeever.
Results: Senior international (at Den Bosch) - Yesterday: Holland 4 Ireland 0.
UNDER-21 CELTIC CUP (at Belfield) - Saturday: Scotland 2 Wales 1; Ireland 2 (J Lynch, S Wilkinson) France 4 (G Dutel 2, N Rogeau, J Mennesson). Yesterday: France 3 Wales 0; Ireland 1 (K Hales), Scotland 3 (J Kilpatrick 2, A Robertson).
Final placings
... P W D L F A P
Scotland 3 3 0 0 9 3 9
France 3 2 0 1 8 6 6
Ireland 3 1 0 2 6 8 3
Wales 3 0 0 3 2 8 0
