Ireland's semi-final dream shattered by Spanish

Women's Eurohockey Nations Championship - Spain 4 Ireland 1:IRELAND'S DREAM of reaching a first ever EuroHockey Nations Championship semi-final went up in smoke yesterday in Amsterdam as Gene Muller's side were second best in the vital scoring zones against Spain.

Victory was essential for progression but Ireland were ultimately undone by the Spaniards greater conversion rate from penalty corners; scoring three goals from five set-pieces en route to an eventful 4-1 win.

It consigns Ireland to the tournament’s relegation pool with Scotland, Azerbaijan and Russia to be played tomorrow and Saturday.

Cliodhna Sargent’s 17th minute shot was Ireland’s only return from six penalty corners; her side’s first goal of the tournament.

That simple statistic starkly illustrates Ireland’s struggles to date and it came in fortuitous fashion.

The Cork Harlequins’ defender’s goal cancelled out Maria Cruz’s early corner effort, rebounding off the post onto a Spanish player’s foot before eventually crossing the line.

It came while Nikki Symmons was in the sin-bin for dissent but was enough to ensure a 1-1 half-time score.

Spain, though, showed their greater experience in the third quarter to take the lead from a sublime individual goal from Olalla Pineiro.

Her self-pass and reverse-stick effort rocketed past Mary Goode in the 45th minute and when Ester Termens tapped in a neatly worked corner, Ireland were in severe trouble.

Needing three goals in 15 minutes, Muller took the drastic action of substituting his goalkeeper, replacing Goode with Sargent as a kicking full-back and, effectively playing with 11 outfielders.

It yielded a gilt-edge chance for Symmons and two further, spurned corners but no goal was forthcoming and when Spain won a late corner, Bridget Cleland, without the aid of pads, was powerless to prevent Silvia Bonastre’s thunderbolt.

IRELAND:M Goode, C Sargent, E Cregan (capt), E Clarke, B Cleland, S McCay, C McKean, N Symmons, E Smyth, L Jacob, L Barr. Subs: E Stewart, A Speers, L Colvin, M Frazer, M Harvey.

SPAIN:M Rosa, J Menendez, R Ybarra, M Cruz, S Munoz, S Bonastre, R Gutierrez, P Sanchez, N Camon (capt), E Termens, G Comerma. Subs: P Banbanch, A Flores, O Pineiero, L Domenech, M Fabregas.

EUROHOCKEY NATION'S CHAMPIONSHIPS(in Amsterdam) - Pool B:Ireland 1 (C Sargent) Spain 4 (M Cruz, O Pineiro, E Termens, S Bonastre); Germany 4 Scotland 0. Pool B standings(points/goal difference): 1 Germany 9pts (+12); 2 Spain 6pts (+4); 3 Scotland 1pt (-6); 4 Ireland 1pt (-10) .