HOCKEY Ireland lose final match of tour to New Zealand

Ireland lost the final match to their hosts New Zealand in Wellingotn this morning.  New Zealand took the lead in the 20 minute from play.  Ireland went close to the equaliser through McKean but good New Zealand defence kept Ireland at bay. Early in the second half  a brillant save by the NZ keeper after good work by McDonough, who was playing her 100th game for her country denied Ireland.  Try as they could Ireland could not break down a resolute New Zealand defence and with five minutes on the clcok Nez Zealand struck again through a well rehearsed penalty corner routine.

Muller commented ‘It is obiviously very dissappointing to lose the last match of the tour, we were very fatigued today and it showed.  The tournament was critical in our teams prepartion as we played four very challenging matches.  We produced some good hockey without any injuries so this was a huge step forward for us’

Starting XI: Mary Goode, Hollie Moffett, Bridget McKeever, Ciara O’Brien, Shirley McCay, Eimear Cregan, Emma Clarke, Nikki Symmons, Cathy McKean, Jenny McDonough, Louisa Moore.

Rolling Subs: Roisin Flinn, Lisa Jacob, Julia O’Halloran, Clare Parkhill, Niamh Small

Not Used; Emma Stewart and Louisa Healy

Name                                      Club                                        Caps
Mary Goode (GK)                   Pembroke Wanderers               40
Louisa Healy (GK)                   Loreto                                      26
Roisin Flinn                             UCD                                        37
Eimear Cregan                       Cork Harlequins                       128
Emma Clarke                          Randlastown                             42
Emma Stewart                        Armagh                                    45
Bridget McKeever                    Ballymoney                               103
Shirley McCay                         Randalstown                             37
Jenny McDonough                    Belfast Harlequins                     100
Cathy McKean                         Loreto                                      93
Julia O’Halloran                        UCC                                        28
Ciara O’Brien                           UCD                                        141
Nikki Symmons                        Loreto                                      91
Lisa Jacob                                UCD                                        20
Niamh Small                            Loreto                                      4
Clare Parkhill                           Randalstown                             59
Hollie Moffett                            UCC                                        6
Louisa Moore                           Pembroke Wanderers               8

More info: www.hockey.ie