IRELAND 2 SPAIN 2

Ireland women's hockey team drew 2-2 with Spain today in their 2nd match of the Champions Challenge I tournament taking place in Glasgow, Scotland.

Ireland started with the first chance in the 6th minute but Katie Mullan's deflection was denied by the woodwork before Spain took the lead in the 9th minute from a crash ball deflection Alicia Magaz with the touch. Spain doubled their lead with the first penalty corner of the match, Lola Riera, executing with precision on Emma Gray's glove side to make it 2-0. Ireland had chances throughout the half with plenty of circle penetrations but couldn't get any real chances away including a penalty corner opportunity in the 30th minute but Audrey O'Flynn's drag was denied and Ireland headed in for the break trailing 2-0.

Ireland dominated possession in the second half but it took numerous attempts before they got rewarded for their efforts. In the 60th minute Mullan, Pinder and O'Flanagan combined for a penalty corner reward which Emily Beatty popped home nicking the rebound off the keepers pads and lifting it home to draw back to 1-2. From the restart Ireland secured another penalty corner but the attempt was kept out. Just 6 minutes later Emily Beatty was on hand once again to covert for her side with a lovely dodge on the by-line to lay off a reverse stick pass which made its way into the goal before Nikki Evans could get the final touch to make it 2-2

Ireland gave a chance to Spain in the dying seconds to steal a last minute win with a penalty corner but fast running from Anna O'Flanagan deflected the shot high and wide and Ireland closed out the game with a 2-2 draw.

Starting XI: Emma Gray GK; Cliodhna Sargent; Emma Smyth; Shirley McCay; Megan Frazer (Capt); Naomi Carroll; Audrey O'Flynn; Chloe Watkins; Nicci Daly; Anna O'Flanagan; Kate Dillon
Reserves: Michelle Harvey; Nicola Evans; Ayeisha McFerran; Katie Mullan; Gillian Pinder

Ireland Next Matches M&W
Tuesday 29th April
17.00 Pool A Ireland v Japan (m)

Wednesday 30 April
11:30 Pool B USA v Ireland (w)

Thursday 1 May
Quarter Finals (w)
Quarter Finals (m)
Saturday 3 May
Classification Matches / Semi Finals (w)
Classification Matches / Semi Finals (m)
Sunday 4 May
Classification Matches / Finals (w)
Classification Matches / Finals (m)