Ireland received a boost ahead of next month's European women's under-21 hockey championships in Belfast when they held Germany to a 4-4 draw in the opening game of a triangular tournament in Hanover last night.

The Irish youngsters, who had beaten the defending champions in Belfast 10 weeks ago, staged a courageous comeback after trailing 2-0 with the game less than three minutes old.

Goals from Trinity's Anya Bowers and Dawn Kelly enabled them to draw level at the break. Kelly was joined on the scoresheet in the second half by her Hermes clubmate, Caitriona Carey.