Ireland's prospects of emerging from their group in the Federation Cup round robin series suffered an initial setback on clay in Turkey yesterday when beaten 2-1 by Bosnia Herzegovina.

Although Lesley O'Halloran in the opening singles and Gina Niland had fighting chances to stay in their singles matches, they both went down without taking a set.

The experienced O'Halloran had two first set points at 5-4 against Mervana Jugic but lost out 7-6, 61.

Gina Niland's great resilience was not enough against Asja Tankic. Having dropped the first set 6-1 and trailing 2-5 in the second, the Irish number one whipped up a big challenge, fending off three match points on her way to a great if incomplete recovery which saw Tankic wilt to a 5-6 deficit. The Irish girl was unable to consolidate her position and succumbed 6-1, 7-6.

The two debutants in the Irish team, Aoife O'Neill and Yvonne Flynn struck a winning doubles combination, seeing off the challenge of Harisa Delic and Adisa Salibasic. Given the Irish girls' blend of determination and skills it is a pity that the doubles rubber counts for little at this stage at any rate. Down a set and love-four in the second, O'Neill and Flynn contrived a brilliant effort to pocket the match 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.

Peter Lowther, the Ireland captain was very disappointed with the overall result believing his team could have won either singles.