Irish women finish tour on winning note

IRISH WOMEN'S HOCKEY TOUR

Ireland Beat Canada 2-1 (Sun 21st Jan 2007)

The Irish women took on the Canadians for the third time this week, earlier today. The ten day intense training camp and matches out in South Africa has obviously paid off for the Irish as they beat the Canadians two one, in a well deserved victory.

Cathy McKean laid claim to Ireland's two goals both from superb open attack play from the Irish. The first goal coming in just the second minute of play and the second coming five minutes into the second half (40th minute). The Canadians only found some sort of answer when they managed to convert a penalty corner seven minutes from full time, when the ball rebounded and was then scrambled into the Irish net.

The Irish were the stronger side and displayed some excellent play. The squad who are no doubt extremely tired after six matches in ten days and numerous training sessions will travel home tomorrow evening.

Strong Irish Draw Three All With South African (Sat 20th Jan)

A strong Irish team took South Africa on for the third time in six days. After an intense and gruelling game it closed out three all.

Ireland took an early lead when schoolgirl Rachel Mulligan scored her second international goal. Cregan made a superb pass to be picked up by the school girl just inside the circle where she managed to squeeze the shot in at an acute angle to find the back of the South African net.

It didn’t take the South African’s long to respond and within seven minutes they found their equaliser when they capitalised on a free from outside the Irish circle to pull back to one all.

Ireland began to feel the pressure but maintained composure at the back, however, ten minutes before half time the South Africans found the back of the Irish net once again with a penalty corner which was switched to the left post and slipped passed the Irish keeper. Ireland again stepped up the pace and only five minutes later worked a penalty corner, which was converted by Irish captain, Linda Caulfield, to close out the first half two all.

Ireland were quick off the mark in the second half and played some strong attacking play. In the sixtieth minute they finally manage to convert again from a turnover ball in midfield which was switched to Roisin Flinn down the right whose excellent cross was reverse flicked into the goal by young Julia O’Halloran to earn her first international goal, giving Ireland a 3-2 lead.

Six minutes from the end South Africa found themselves awarded with another penalty corner which was converted through a strong strike from the top of the circle. The game closed out three all.

After a long and tough ten days tour and five matches under the belt so far Ireland will no doubt be going out to beat the Canadians in their final match tomorrow afternoon.

Newly appointed assistant coach, Denis Pritchard: “What has been particularly satisfying about the trip is the progression made by the players. It is great to see the younger members making great strides forward.”

Irish women too strong for Canadians (19th Jan 2007)

Ireland 1 - 0 Canada

A very different Irish team stepped out to play Canada tonight (18/1) for their second meeting in four days. Ireland displayed a stronger and more confident performance than they had in their previous matches out in South Africa.

Despite, head coach, Gene Muller’s decision to rest a number of key senior players including, Linda Caulfield, Jill Orbinson, Ciara O’Brien and Mary Goode, Ireland deservedly beat the Canadians one nil.

From the first whistle blow Ireland dominated the game and mounted a number of attacks throughout the first half. Despite forcing four penalty corners in the first thirty five Ireland failed to convert.

Canada stepped up their game in the second half and managed to mount some attacks of their own which were dealt cleanly with by an Irish defence who only conceded two penalty corners. Goalkeeper, Shona Frey, who gained only her second cap this evening, was very solid in Goals, dealing adeptly with both open attack shots and penalty corners.

The Irish midfield, Emma Stewart, Shirley McCay and Emma Clarke, had big boots to fill with both Caulfield and Symmons being rested, but all three stepped up to the challenged and showed strong performances throughout the match.

With only two minutes to go it was looking unlikely that Ireland would get the goal they deserved, until Eimear Cregan from thirty meters out beat four Canadians to enter a crowded circle and find the back of the net, for what was a superb and dramatic individual goal.

As this is Gene’s first win as Irish Coach he was obviously delighted, “This is our second good game in a row, only this time we got the result. We were better than last night in terms of the details like defending and attacking the circle. It is rewarding for the team to see improvement.”

For further info:

Katie Roche @ Irish Hockey, katie.roche@hockey.ie