Ireland end losing streak against Spain

Ireland brought a halt to their four-match losing streak in Barcelona yesterday when they drew 1-1 with Spain in an unofficial international. They complete their week's programme with another match against the Spaniards this morning before returning home tomorrow.

Lynsey McVicker gave Ireland, who once again used all 20 players on the panel, an early lead when she was first to a rebound from a penalty corner, but Sonia Barrio levelled in the second half for a weakened Spanish side that featured several under-21 internationals.

The team's results from the past week hardly augur well for their prospects at the Olympic Qualifier in March, but there seems little point in judging them against Britain, Germany and Spain because they are simply not in the same league.

It will be their results against the USA and India in Milton Keynes that will determine whether they have any hope of reaching the playoff for the fifth and final qualifying spot for Sydney, which, realistically, is all they can aspire to.

While it is unlikely that any new faces will make it on to the panel before March, coach Riet Kuper will note with interest that former Irish international Michelle O'Sullivan made her comeback for UCC last weekend after a year in New Zealand.

The midfielder last played for Ireland at the 1997 World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe. She returned from New Zealand last October, but an ankle injury delayed her UCC comeback until last Saturday.

O'Sullivan had a highly successful spell in New Zealand playing with Manawatu in the National League, helping the newly promoted province to third place. Despite her experience, she does not, however, think that she will be fit enough to be considered seriously for the Irish team by March.

After playing for UCC tomorrow, O'Sullivan will be at Garryduff on Sunday to join in on the celebrations for the Munster branch's centenary year.