hockey: The Dutch Make It Two in A Row Against Ireland – Women`s hockey
Ireland V The Netherlands, Bellevue Manchester (14.00 Tuesday, May 22nd)
The Irish women took on The Netherlands once again this afternoon as part of a two match friendly international series. Ireland have used these two matches are part of their build up towards the EuroHockey Nations Championship taking place this coming August.
In an Irish performance that was more impressive than the previous night’s game against the Dutch, head coach, Muller seemed pleased with their progress “We were much better today and we competed in defence and created more in attack than yesterday. It was a case of getting used to the pace of the Dutch, we did concede goals off three of their five corners which is an aspect that demands attention in our next matches.”
The Irish started much better than the previous night and it showed when it took the Dutch twenty minutes of play before they got their first on target shot which keeper Louisa Healy cleared from the line.
When the Dutch managed to penetrate the Irish goal they did it in style with two drag flicks from Kim Lammers who dragged the ball passed the Irish defence with speed from two consecutive penalty corners in the 25th and 27th minute to go two nil up before half time.
Ireland looked like they may find an answer before half time through some good attacking play from McDonagh and Cregan but the Dutch defence kept them at bay.
First half closed 2:0
The second half started with the Dutch putting the Irish defence under pressure but cool headedness at the back kept Ireland competing. Ireland’s forwards got to see more of the ball today and the attacking play eventually paid off in the twentieth minute when a Parkhill free hit found McKean to roof the ball into the Dutch net with a superb deflection.
With only four minutes left on the clock the Dutch sealed their second victory in a row with a third goal when Fatima Moreiar De Melo converted a penalty corner.
The Irish camp will travel home later this evening and will face The Netherland Antilles in a three day series in UCD next weekend as part of their continuing build up over the Summer.
Irish Squad V The Netherlands
1. Hannah Bowe ( Armagh )
2. Eimear Cregan ( Cork Harlequins)
3. Emma Clarke ( Randalstown )
4. Mary Goode ( Pembroke Wanderers )
5. Louisa Healy (Loreto)
6. Lisa Jacob ( Hermes )
7. Jenny Mc Donough ( Belfast Harlequins )
8. Shirley McKay ( Randalstown )
9. Cathy McKean (Loreto)
10. Bridget McKeever ( Ballymoney )
11. Rachel Mulligan ( Armagh )
12. Ciara O’Brien ( Chelmsford )
13. Jill Orbinson ( Pegasus )
14. Clare Parkhill ( Randalstown )
15. Nikki Symmons (Eintr. Braunschweig)
Ireland V The Netherland Antilles
Match 1: Saturday 26th May 19.00 UCD
Match 2: Sunday 27th May 15.00 UCD
Match 3: Monday 28th May 9.00 UCD
Check out Irish Hockey website
