Ireland top table after victory over Wales

Three wins out of three, 15 goals scored and just two conceded was the impressive record Ireland finished with after a hugely encouraging Four Nations campaign in Belfield over the weekend.

Yesterday's 5-1 win over Wales, which clinched victory in the tournament, was the most impressive victory of the three, coming against a team Ireland will meet again in July's European Nations Cup qualifier in Helsinki.

"That's what we have been working for," said a delighted Riet Kuper after yesterday's match. "The Welsh gave us a real good game and put us under a lot of pressure but I don't think many teams have the kind of pace we have up front.

"This was our first real test and if we work on this, get a little bit neater and more accurate in certain areas this team is quite capable of moving a step higher than they are now. They're a happy troupe - that's what I want, I want them to enjoy the game."

Harlequins' Karen O'Brien gave Ireland the lead against Wales in the 11th minute, turning home a rebound after Welsh goalkeeper Michelle Thomas blocked a fierce shot from Mary Logue. Arlene Thompson doubled the lead after 24 minutes, with a shot from a short corner, but careless defending just 30 seconds later allowed Wales pull a goal back, when Emma James intercepted a pass across the circle and fired past Alison Vance in the Irish goal.

Wales applied plenty of pressure on the Irish midfield and defence but were unable to convert their possession in to further goals and, in the 52nd minute, fell 3-1 behind when the outstanding Rachel Kohler was first to the ball after Sarah Kelleher's short corner strike was partially saved by Welsh substitute goalkeeper Louise Ellis.

Kim Mills capped another energetic display up front with a fine solo effort in the 61st minute, her sixth goal in just five internationals, and her Pegasus team-mate Thompson added her second of the game five minutes later when she fired home after Logue had set her up with a pass following the break down of a short corner.

The victory followed Saturday's 5-0 win over France, in which Kelleher scored twice, a match, like the defeats of Italy on Friday and Wales yesterday, that featured some thrilling attacking hockey by a team clearly revelling in life under the new regime.

The squad for Helsinki will not be named until next month, allowing injury and illness victims Jenny Burke, Caroline Craig and Laura Brown time to recover to stake their claim for a place in the final 16. The squad has three more training weekends with Kuper before departing for Germany or Holland next month for a week of practice matches.