Hockey Ireland 1 - 2 Spain

Ireland lost a narrow 2-1 to the higher ranked Spain tonight as the Electric Ireland 3 Nations series continues at the National Hockey Stadium in UCD.

Ireland took on Spain tonight for the second time in five days losing out 2-1 in a tightly contested match. Ireland took the lead in the 20th minute when Emma Smyth swept to the corner from the top of the circle to meet an oncoming Naomi Carroll who slotted home the set piece.

Both sides had chances in the remaining minutes of the first half but it was Spain who converted with just eight seconds left on the clock after Georgina Olivia sent through a strong shot picked off and deflected in by Maria Contardi to level 1-1 just before the break.

Ireland came out goal hunting applying immediate pressure from the start of the second half but the Spanish defence remained calm dealing ably with the Green Army threat. Spain secured their first penalty corner of the match in the 45th minute but Perez's dragflick didn't find air and Ireland regained possession. Spain made no such mistake when they lined up for their next penalty corner in the 55th minute this time Lola Riera dragged home to give her side the lead for the first time in this match.

Ireland responded immediately with an attack and penalty corner of their own but Chloe Brown's drag flick missed the mark. Ireland really stepped up in the final few minutes looking for an equaliser but good interchanges never found the final pass and no meaningful shot tested the Spanish keeper.

Ireland will enjoy a rest day tomorrow before taking back to the pitch on Wednesday night at 7pm against France before they face Spain once again on Thursday evening.

Starting XI: Emma Gray GK; Emma Smyth; Chloe Brown; Shirley McCay; Megan Frazer; Naomi Carroll; Aine Connery; Chloe Watkins; Hannah Matthews; Gillian Pinder; Yvonne O'Byrne

Reserves: Nikki Evans; Audrey O'Flynn; Ayeisha McFerran; Katie Mullan; Anna O'Flanagan; Kate Dillon; Emily Beatty