Hockey: Ireland 3-3 Italy

20 Apr 2015

Trailing by 3-0 in the final quarter Ireland scored three goals in 10m to draw their final test match against Italy. The game played at the Ulster University, Jordanstown and where Loreto's Nicola Daly joined the 100th club of tests played for her country.

Ireland had made the brighter start, Brown with the first chance of the game, but her shot flew over. Italy took the lead in the 11m from second phase play, from their 1st PC, Rossisvilli with the finish. Italy upped the tempo and extended their lead from open play in the 26m scored by Braconi and were further ahead 2m later this time Ruggieri was on target. HT Italy 3-0 Ireland

Ireland had decent possession in the 3rd quarter but failed to impact on the score sheet.

It was all out attack in the final quarter by Ireland and in the 49m Garraffo was given a yellow card and a PC awarded to Ireland. Harvey supplied the finish from the resulting PC to give Ireland hope with 10m to go. Ireland withdrew their GK McFerran, with McCay given the duties of kicking back. In the 53m from another PC Ireland were right back in the game this time Chloe Brown with the goal. The teams were level with 2m to go, Dukes volley off a rebound from the Italian keepers pads. Great comeback by Ireland as the finished Ireland 3-3 Italy

Ireland
Stella Davis (GK), Michelle Harvey, Cliodhna Sargent, Emma Smyth, Chloe Brown, Shirley McCay, Megan Frazer, Naomi Carroll, Hayley Mulcahy, Ayeisha McFerran (C), Lizzie Colvin, Nicola Daly, Hannah Matthews, Deirdre Duke, Kate Dillon, Ali Meeke, Yvonne O Byrne, Emily Beatty

Italy
Natalia Leonoir, Celina Traverso, Marta De Guiro, Constanza Aguirre, Valentina Braconi, Macarena Ronsisvalli, Eugenia Garaffo, Dalila Mirabella, Martina Chirico (GK), Giulia Galligani, El