Pragmatic Irish open account with win

HOCKEY: Honour was held. Ireland won their opening match in the European Championships yesterday with a performance that had a pragmatic, professional feel.

Powerful performances from Ciara O'Brien in the centre of defence, the durable and creative Eimear Cregan on the right side of midfield and forward Lynsey McVicker, gelled together a strong team display; but one which was not without occasional lapses into dangerous territory.

It was a typical opening match of a tournament, nuanced by counter attacks from both sides and an obvious difficulty in holding possession for any length of time in midfield. That blueprint set a tone for the game, which hung on narrow margins, but crucially in Ireland's favour.

With Cregan putting herself around the midfield purposefully and O'Brien, particularly in the dying minutes, working well with Jill Orbinson, Belinda Caulfield and Daphne Sixsmith, Ireland left the pitch and punishing mid-afternoon heat satisfied but knowing that there is more in the tank.

"Yes, I think we deserved the win," said coach Riet Kuper. "We'd more corners and more action in the Welsh goal than they had in ours. As I've said before when it comes to countries like Wales and Ireland, the technical ability is not there to take the chances."

For Dutch coach Kuper, it is the first time an Irish team has won its first match in a major competition under her control.Perhaps there is good karma in that. Facing Italy on Wednesday in their second match, the possibility and expectation is that that particular milestone could be lengthened to two successful opening matches.

"I've got to be pleased with the result. But I think Ireland could play better. We didn't play too smart in midfield and we probably gave the ball away too easily," she said.

It was Wales who shaped the game in the opening 10 minutes, forcing two quick short corners, the first of which Rachel O'Brien pulled far wide of Irish goalkeeper Angela Platt. That phase weathered, Ireland then began to build more dangerous breaks

Jenny Burke's long ball to McVicker caught the striker slightly off balance and her flick slid off just wide and when Ciara O'Brien was sin-binned for a technical foul after 20 minutes, Wales again surged forward.

But it was McVicker who drew on her strength on the ball four minutes later when she rode two tackles driving into the crown of the circle, before striking low past the Welsh goalkeeper's right foot for Ireland's only goal.

A few more half chances materialised in the second half involving Cregan, and Cathy McKean, who looked sharp coming off the bench, but McVicker's goal proved decisive.