Ireland finish competitive year on a high

HOCKEY:Two 1-0 defeats of Scotland in Stirling over the weekend ended Ireland's competitive year on a positive note, with coach Gene Muller professing himself to be "very happy" with the displays. "Preparations will begin now for the South African tour," he said of the squad's next assignment in the new year, part of the build-up to April's Olympic qualifying tournament.

After Friday's fixtures were postponed due to a frozen pitch, Ireland had the honour of winning the first international played at Stirling's new Forthbank hockey stadium, Lisa Jacob getting the game's only goal in the 50th minute, finishing off a fine move involving her UCD team-mate Róisín Flinn.

Armagh teenager Stephanie Quinn, who came on to play at left back, won her first senior cap in a game deservedly won by the visitors. Goalkeeper Mary Goode was only seriously tested once when she saved Kat Cameron's 45th minute shot.

Louisa Healy, who took over in goal from Goode for yesterday's game, had a busier time of it, twice denying Scotland in the first half before making a triple save in the second during a spell of intense pressure. But Jenny McDonough grabbed the winner for Ireland after a smart dummy from Shirley McCay.

"Overall, I was very happy with the way in which we played over the two games," said Muller.

"The goal we scored today was a very well-taken goal. I thought that we played very well in the first half but in the second half Scotland came back into it. It was a big learning experience for us as we were winning the ball but not holding on to it that well. That's something to work on.

"We have worked quite hard for the last few weeks. . . I am happy with how our preparation is going but we will continue to work hard."

Back home Loreto moved to within a point of Pembroke Wanderers and Railway Union, having played an extra game, with a 3-1 defeat of Three Rock, while Old Alexandra and Trinity also picked up wins over Genesis and Corinthian respectively. Old Alexandra II, meanwhile, opened their defence of the ESB Irish Junior Cup on Saturday with a 7-1 first round win over Newbridge, Hazel Agar scoring four of the holders' goals.