Ireland 1-3 Scotland European Hockey

Ireland's Electric Ireland Hockey Team closed out their final match of the European Championships with a 3-1 loss against Scotland this morning, the result of which sees them relegated to Division B.

The match saw Ireland dominate both possession and penalty corner chances but with the elusive finishing touch evading the Green Army and Scotland on converting form it was not going to be Ireland's day.

Ireland opened well bossing the first ten minutes and their persistence paid off when a well worked piece of attacking play set Anna O'Flangan up to slot home at close range. Ireland maintained their lead for ten minutes before Cat Ralph converted the penalty stroke which was awarded in the aftermath of a penalty corner routine. Just moments later Scotland took the lead when Nikki Kidd converted her side's second penalty corner giving her side the edge as the break came.

Just three minutes into the second half Scotland had a golden chance to further extend their lead with a penalty stroke chance but Ralph for Scotland was denied by the upright. Ireland upped their pace chasing goals and enjoyed the majority of attacking play and penalty corners but they just couldn't find the back of the net to close the gap.

Scotland put the game beyond Ireland's reach in the 51st minute when Holly Cram converted a well worked penalty corner routine to make it 3-1 in favour of Scotland.

Ireland fought it out until the final whistle but despite their efforts they find themselves in the bottom two alongside Belarus meaning relegation into the B division.

Coach Darren Smith summed up the match saying "It was always going to be a tough match Scotland are a good side and we have had close battles over the years so we expected a lot of passion and commitment from both sides, which we saw today. Our inability to convert penalty corners has cost us throughout this tournament - we had 8 penalty corners today and we weren't able to get a meaningful shot on target. Scotland took their chances well and you have to give them credit on how they managed to put the goals away."

He continued by recognising the level of commitment from the Irish team "Our girls worked incredibly hard and are such committed young ladies and it's gutting not to be able to quite get things together."

Ireland's men take on the Czech Republic tomorrow (Sunday) at 10am Irish Time
Starting XI Ireland: Emma Gray, Alex Speers (capt), Shirley McCay, Megan Frazer, Naomi Carroll, Nikki Symmons, Audrey O'Flynn, Chloe Watkins, Niamh Atcheler, Anna O'Flanagan, Gillian Pinder
Reserves Ireland: Cliodhna Sargent, Emma Smyth, Lisa Jacob, Niamh Small, Nicci Daly, Nicola Gray, Grace O'Flanagan
Starting XI Scotland: A Gibson, V Bunce, A Bell, C Ralph, H Cram, L Clement, K Marshall, L Fawcett, R Merchant, N Kidd, E Maguire