Ireland 1 South Africa 1 (hockey)

Ireland played South Africa this evening in the Investec Tri-Nations Tournament currently taking place in South Africa. Ireland finished up level at one a piece with the hosts.

The early moments opened with chances for both sides including an Audrey O'Flynn drag flick which was blocked down by a solid looking defence. Emma Gray in goals for Ireland was also called into duty early on with a double save from Jade Mayne's shot and rebound.

Ireland capitalised when South Africa were reduced to ten when Kathleen Taylor was shown green. The resulting penalty corner gave Michelle Harvey the chance to prove her drag flicking ability when she rattled the back board to give Ireland a 1-0 lead.

South Africa pushed it up a gear looking for the equaliser and applied some serious pressure to the Irish defence including four penalty corners and some open play shots but Ireland held strong marshalled by an on form Emma Gray in goals.

The hosts came out all guns blazing in the second half securing a penalty corner in the first minute of play, but the girls in green dealt ably with the efforts and immediately counter through the skills of Lisa Jacob but to no avail. The play ensued between the two twenty fives with both midfields keeping very busy but it was the hosts who got the next real break through forcing Gray into a superb stick save from Masha's shot.

South Africa's persistence finally paid off with just five left on the clock thanks to Tarryn Bright's long pass picking out Nicolene Terblance who found space to level the sides.

Commeting after the game Coach Gene Muller said "It was a solid defensive performance and we were dangerous in attack. These matches haev been good for us, challenging all the way and ideal for our Olympic Qualifier preparations"

Ireland have one more match left which takes place on Thursday 2nd February at 3pm (Irish Time)