IT WAS very much a case of closing the barn door after the horse had bolted for the Irish women's tennis team in the Federation Cup (Group 11) at the Israel Tennis Centre yesterday.

The Irish recovered after earlier defeats during the week by Denmark and Ukraine but their 3-0 victory over Iceland and a doubles win over Ukraine will count for little.

Lesley O'Halloran and Claire Curran, playing number one singles, both won their matches. O'Halloran was a 6-1 6-4 winner over Stgefania Stefansdottir while Curran lost only two games to Hrasfnhil Hannesdottir, 6-0 6-2.

Philipa Palmer then joined O'Halloran for the doubles and they easily beat Hannisdottir and Iris Stoub 6-0 6-1.

Later still, O'Halloran and Palmer fulfilled their outstanding doubles match against Ukraine and won in straight sets, beating Canna Zaropazhanova and Catiana Kovalchuk 6-2 6-2.