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International : Europe : Ireland

Spanish Armada Hold Irish

x13

Spain

August 17, 2005
News Letter, UK
> Page Views 2311

By Ruth Gorman

Ireland 0 Spain 0

It looks like Ireland will have to do it the hard way - again.

After failing to beat the Spanish Riet Kuper's side now have a much tougher task if they are to book their place in next year's World Cup qualifier.

Unless France can produce a shock result against Spain today, or Ireland can hold Holland to a two goal defeat or less tonight, then the girls in green will have to beat either Scotland or Ukraine in a must win classification game on Friday.

Realistically the latter will be the deciding factor of Ireland's fate and determine if they will claim the top six finish needed to qualify for Rome next year.

Ireland produced another nervous display last night against the Spanish and never really troubled their keeper.

They gave away their first penalty corner in the 11th minute, from which Spain's Nuria Camon showed why she is their star player with an excellent effort that Ballymoney's Angela Platt had to make an overhead save from.

Three minutes later Irish captain Lynsey McVicker slammed a powerful ball across the Spanish circle but no-one was there in time to connect with it.

Ireland won their first short corner with six minutes of the first half remaining and Hermes player Jenny Burke was on target with her shot but Rosa Maria Jesus pulled off a great save.

The second real chance Ireland had of breaking the deadlock came in the 44th minute and again it was Burke who came close.

Linda Caulfield crossed an excellent ball from the right which Burke, who was unmarked at the left edge of the circle, picked up and immediately shot towards goal - producing the best hockey of the game - but unfortunately Maria Jesus was in the way again.

The rest of the second half saw more chances for Spain, but Platt was solid as ever in her goal.

The supporters in the sunny stands were outstanding cheering on their country from the very start and producing the usual sound affects that come with any game of sport.

But unfortunately neither they nor the Irish girls got their reward at the end of the 70 minutes as both teams had to settle for a point.

So Ireland are left fighting again - today it's as tough as they come against the reigning European champions Holland.

Match schedule: Today: Ireland v Holland (7pm) Tomorrow: Rest day Friday: Ireland v Scotland/Ukraine Saturday: Final classification match.

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Comments on this article

Supporter
08-18-2005��3:16 am Report this post

Ireland -v- Spain I thought Ireland played really well. Outstanding players were O'Brien & McKeever. McKeever is definitely a future Ireland captain. Burke was the most threatening player when attacking. she played the ball a bit too much at times but thats a reasonable price to pay for some of her skiil going forward, Orbinson found it hard in first half but was very solid in the second half. What does anyone else think?

Supporter 2
08-19-2005��7:52 am Report this post

Womens European Hockey Championship 2005, Dublin. Yes, for what its worth I agree with most of your comments. Unfortunately, apart fron our defence which holds up well against the better opposition in this tournament, in my opinion our midfield have lacked composure when on the ball, at times against Spain and most certainly against the Netherlands. Individually the midfielders are fine players but I think have been very much second best, especially against the Dutch. Consequently very little constructive play came from the middle zone and the forwards were left with scraps. Thankfully, on this occasion (tournament wise) Ireland have got the right result (V) Scotland, and maintained A division status. That in my opinion is paramount for the present and for the immediate future (or 'GOING FORWARD' as some would painfully say!). It is difficult to know if Ireland will ever consistantly get to about the 3rd of 4th ranking place in European Hockey. I agree totally with Reit Kuipers comments after the Dutch match. The strong Dutch league (I have seen a match of two in the past) is of a standard much higher than the leagues here (Ireland). That said, I think that Ireland have made progress although with the demands on players regarding preparation etc maintaining or even improving Ireland's current standing is a somewhat daunting prospect.

Irish fan 08-21-2005��11:58 am	Report this post
`Agree wholeheartedly about McKeever - most consistent player throughout the tournament, and along with O'Brian set up a strong Irish defence in the middle of the park. Orbinson improved during the tourament and had a blinder in the game against Ukraine. Adds something a bit different in midfield - willing to use a risky deflection, which when it comes off cuts right through the opposition.`

eight 08-21-2005��2:26 pm	Report this post
`yup o'b & mcKeever were class and so was angela platt . unlucky not to get to last four.`

Sam 08-22-2005��3:19 pm	Report this post
`Also thought Linda Caufield had a great tournament.`

Yorkie 08-22-2005��8:55 pm	Report this post
`Sam? Were we watching the same tournament?? The player you mentioned was................`

Mars 08-23-2005��5:58 am	Report this post
`Yes McKeever was definitely irelands player of the tournament, o brien was up there aswell. Also agree with mckeever being captain material. I know shes young but theres not many other suitable candidates, is there!?!?!?!`

Supporter 08-23-2005��8:11 am	Report this post
`carey caulfield didn't really stand out for me but carey really caught my eye. she improved her game through the tournament and in the ukraine and scotland matches was a real play maker.`

Sam 08-23-2005��12:45 pm	Report this post
`Well I was there for all the Irish matches and most of the others. Maybe it's because I don't see her play that often.`

Supporter2 08-25-2005��9:02 am	Report this post
`Carey I agree... Carey showed real flair and hunger when she was played.... which was not often enough for my liking!`

eight ball
08-31-2005��8:55 am Report this post

eight How could you say platt was class? Why is it that ladies settle for such low standards in goalkeeping. Platt would be no higher than 3rds at any mens club. I thought she should have done better for each goal against holland and was beat too easily for the goal against ukraine. It is a truly sorry state of affairs that the likes of her can make 50 caps. There must be some decent ladies keepers out there.

Lousy!
08-31-2005��10:25 am Report this post

I think that the standard of goalkeeping in Ireland is very high, especially amongst those fighting for Irish senior positions. Correct me if I'm wrong: didn't Tara Browne get goalkeeper of the tournament at a qualifier before she retired? For Platt to have challenged (and arguably met) such a fantastic keeper in the past speaks volumes about Platts high standards. Having other keepers like Mary Goode and Louisa Healy in the running for the Irish squad reflects the high standards. Remember when Platt won the Irish Senior Cup for Ballymoney first time round against Pegasus? She was outstanding! So there are decent ladies keepers out there...if you don't think so why don't you go to Holland for a special operation and make the squad yourself ;)

Supporter 08-31-2005��11:14 am	Report this post
`Platt Get a life eight ball. Shes a terrific keeper - kept Ireland in it against Scotland.`

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