THE Ireland squad were not sufficiently settled in Terrassa yesterday to keep Spain in check and were beaten 6-1 by the Olympic, silver medallists in the first of their training matches in the build up for the World Cup qualifying tournament in Kuala Lumpur in March.
Two goals down after 20 minutes, Ireland rallied for Galahad Goulet to make it 2-1 at the interval. But, experimenting to a degree in the second half control was surrendered to the Spaniards.
Meanwhile on the home front, Avoca are coping remarkably well without their international figures - Goulet, Colin Hade and Robbie Ryan, as well as JP Murphy. It remains to be seen how long the Blackrock club can retain their unbeaten record at the top of the Leinster League table.
Corinthians are unlikely to hold them at Rathdown tomorrow, though the margin was slender enough, 2-1, at the start of the season.
Three Rock Rovers and Pembroke Wanderers will be expecting to keep closely in touch, but it would not be surprising if either were to drop a point. Rovers were held to 1-1 by Glenanne in October, and the Tallaght side generally rise to the occasion at Grange Road. Possibly a youthful incision for Glenanne by Graham Shaw, or for Rovers by Gordon Elliott, will decide the issue.
It would seem that Pembroke can outscore Railway Union at Park Avenue, particularly as the Wanderers team have established greater co ordination since their 4-3 win when the sides met at Serpentine Avenue in the autumn.
