Irish Hockey

By Ruth Gorman
Ireland 1 France 0

Belfast Harlequins striker Jenny McDonough stole the show at the National Hockey Stadium in Dublin last night as Ireland opened their European Nations' Cup campaign with this slender victory over France.

But Ireland, with six Ulster girls in the line up, could and should have scored a lot more goals as they missed a host of chances, many created by McDonough who was a constant threat to the visitors defence.

Such was the hosts' dominance, goalkeeper Angela Platt was called into serious action only once.

But a one-nil lead was never comfortable and there was always the chance that France could have snatched an equaliser their display would have scarcely merited.

Spain, who the Irish face next, held reigning champions Holland to a 3-0 defeat and goal difference could come into play later on in Pool A.

Ireland will now almost certainly have to beat the Spanish or match or better their result againt the Dutch if they are to finish in the top two.

That is Ireland's expressed objective, to secure an automatic place in next year's world cup qualifier in Rome, and if achieved it would avoid a nerve jangling 'must win' play-off match on Friday with either Scotland or Ukraine. "We were a wee bit nervy at the start but we settled down well and the crowd were fantastic," said Ballymoney's Lynsey McVicker, the Irish captain.

"The play was a bit scrappy at times but we pressed forward well particularly in the second half."

Hermes player Linda Caulfield got the all important goal after just five minutes.

Eimear Cregan's effort from the first penalty corner of the game eventually found it's way to her off the 'keepers' pads and Ulster's Jill Orbinson and Caulfield made no mistake from five metres out.

Apart from one set piece strike from Muriel Lazennec which Platt dealt with comfortably it was all Ireland.

With McDonough, Jenny Burke and Nikki Symmons looking particularly impressive Ireland surged forward in waves but too often the final pass went astray.

Burke and Symmons squandered particularly good opportunites in the second-half and Ireland finished the game playing neat possession hockey as the clock counted down.

Ireland won't have as much of the ball against Spain tomorow nor the same number of chances so while it was the result they needed there is certainly room for improvement.

IRELAND: A Platt, C. O'Brien; F. Connery, B. McKeever, K. Smith; L. Caulfield, J. Orbinson, J. Burke; J. McDonough, E. Cregan, L. McVicker (capt) subs: N. Symmons, C. Carey, C. McKean. RESULTS: Pool A: Holland 3 Spain 0, Ireland 1 (L. Caulfied) France 0; Pool B: Germany 8 Scotland 0, England 4 Ukraine 0. TODAY: Pool B: Scotland v England (4pm), Germany v Ukraine (6pm).

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