HOCKEY European Championships/France 1 Ireland 0:An old adversary and old failings resurfaced yesterday to leave the Irish men's team struggling for survival at the European hockey championships in Manchester.
Dave Passmore's side - still in mathematical contention for the medals at the start of the afternoon - were left at the bottom of Pool B and sure to drop straight back into the lower flight unless they can extract at least a draw from tomorrow's opener in the also-ran series.
The only goal came from the stick of captain Frederic Soyez, who put Ireland to the sword the last time they competed among Europe's elite. He tucked away the first two goals of a disastrous 4-1 defeat in Barcelona four years ago and his 43rd-minute strike in Bellevue demonstrated he has lost none of his venom in the meantime.
In truth, the match needed a score after almost three quarters of an hour of turgid, tense hockey.
France's previous form had been as watertight as a colander - but not on this occasion as they closed ranks in the face of a challenge that grew increasingly desperate and incoherent, despite a dwindling opposition presence on the pitch in a flurry of yellow cards.
Matthieu Durchon led a parade of French players into the sinbin, followed to the sideline by Sebastien Jean-Jean, Yannick Schambert and Soyez to leave their team battling through most of the closing stages with eight men. Despite the numerical edge, the Irish were never purposeful in their pursuit of the equaliser.
The result hands Ireland a daunting relegation play-off match tomorrow against England who were squeezed out of contention yesterday by World Cup holders Germany.
FRANCE:J Thamin, M Durchon, N Muesgens, C Muesgens, M Genestet, F Soyez, C Verrier, S Jean-Jean, C Gouedard-Comte. Subs: B Becuwe, T Gourdin, Y Schambert, F Scheefer, A Jansen.
IRELAND:D Harte; P Brown, I Lewers, R Gormley, S Butler, M Gleghorne, J Jermyn, E Magee, G Shaw, D Hobbs, A Barbour. Subs: K Burns, M Irwin, M Black, T Cockram.
Umpires:H Jamson (England), R ten Cate (Netherlands).
Men - Yesterday's results
Pool A:Czech Republic 0 Belgium 6; England 0 Germany 3. Pool B: France 1 Ireland 0; Spain 2 Netherlands 4.
Standings (after three rounds)
Pool A
P W D L F A Pts
Germany 3 2 1 0 10 2 7
Belgium 3 1 2 0 10 4 5
England 3 1 1 1 9 5 4
Czech Rep 3 0 0 3 0 18 0
Pool B
P W D L F A Pts
Holland 3 3 0 0 13 5 9
Spain 3 1 1 1 9 5 4
France 3 1 0 2 4 14 3
Ireland 3 0 1 2 1 3 1
Today's Fixtures
Women - Fifth-eighth:Ireland v Ukraine, noon; Azerbaijan v Italy, 2pm. Semi-finals: Netherlands v Spain, 4pm; England v Germany, 6.30pm.
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