Ireland V Spain Results Round Up

Two second half goals from UCD's Anna O'Flanagan were enough for Ireland's Women to beat Spain 2-0 in Terassa today and seal a 2-1 series victory with 1 drawn game amongst the two sides in a 4 game trip.

The first half was a tame affair in terms of goal scoring opportunities but the better of the chances did fall to Ireland. The Green Army failed to convert on their chances but Ireland won the penalty corner PC count by 2 to 1 in that first period. The score remained at 0-0 at half-time

Ireland stepped up a gear after the break and Anna O'Flanagan converted early in the half to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. Ireland didn't have it all their own way though and goalkeeper Emma Gray was in fine form in the Irish goal to thwart any Spanish opportunities during a hectic spell in the second half.

Ireland weathered the Spanish storm comfortably mid-way through the half and got a stronger foothold on proceedings as the game headed towards a conclusion with Nikki Evans going close for the Green Army. In the end, Ireland had to wait till just before the end to claim the victory when UCD's O'Flanagan popped up again to make it 2-0 with a great deflected goal.
The result caps off a good few days in Spain for the Green Army and secured a welcomed test victory against very good opposition.

Ireland Squad v Spain: Pamela Smithwick - Old Alex - Goalkeeper; Emma Gray - Hermes - Goalkeeper; Michelle Harvey - Pegasus/Leuven - Defender; Ali Meeke - Loreto - Defender; Yvonne O'Byrne - Cork Harlequins - Defender; Audrey O'Flynn - Hermes - Defender; Cliodhna Sargent - Cork Harlequins - Defender; Emily Beatty - UCD - Midfield; Megan Frazer - Ballymoney/Holcombe - Midfield; Lisa Jacob - Hermes/SCHC - Midfield; Gillian Pinder - UCD - Midfield; Chloe Watkins - UCD/Club de Campo - Midfield; Naomi Carroll - Catholic Institute - Striker; Deidre Duke - UCD - Striker; Nikki Evans - UCD - Striker; Katie Mullan - UCD - Striker; Anna O'Flanagan - UCD - Striker; Vanessa Surgeoner - Pegasus - Striker

Men
Ireland 3 (2) Peter Brown 2m; Jeremy Duncan 23m; David Carson 43m
Spain 5 (2) Santi Freixa 22m; Xavi Lleonart 24m; David Alegre 57m; Miki Delàs 63m; Manel Terraza
Ireland played Spain in their third and final match today in Terrassa, Spain closing out the wrong end of a 5-3 scoreline.

Ireland started well opening up early thanks to a nice reverse stick finish from UCD's Peter Brown in just the second minute of play. Ireland held their lead until the 22nd minute when a defensive error allowed the Spanish to sneak in to draw level at 1-1 thanks to Santi Freixa's handiwork. Ireland responded immediately just sixty seconds later reinstating their lead after Jeremy Duncan finished off the rebound from Shane O'Donoghues reverse stick effort to make it 2-1 before Spain once again drew back in the 24th minute, Xavi Lleonart converting this time to make it 2-2 at the break.

Ireland took the lead once again in the second half David Carson capitalising from good team work by the Green Machine turning over the Spanish. A spat of three penalty corners and three precise executions gave the Spanish all they needed to win the game out 5-3 despite a good Irish performance.

Full set of Results from Spanish Camp
11th January
Men Ireland 1-1 Spain 15.30 Junior Futbol Club (Sant Cugat)
Women Ireland 2-3 Spain 18.00 Terrassa Estadium (Terrassa)
12th January
Women Ireland 4-2 Spain 14.00 Terrassa Estadium (Terrassa).
13th January
Men Ireland 1-3 Spain 15.30 Club Egara (Terrassa)
14th January
Women Ireland 0-0 Spain 12.00 Terrassa Estadium (Terrassa)
15th January
Women Ireland 2-0 Spain 11.30 Terrassa Estadium (Terrassa)
Men Ireland 3-5 Spain 15.30 Atletic Terrassa Hockey Club (Terrassa)