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