Ireland get morale boost with victory over Spain

Women's Hockey:  There were times on the flight back to Europe from Argentina earlier this week that the Irish squad wondered if they'd make it to Madrid at all, such was the severity of the turbulence their plane encountered.

They survived the ordeal, though, and celebrated their arrival with a rare victory over Spain on Wednesday night.

It was the most encouraging result to date of the squad's globe-trotting preparations for next month's Olympic Qualifier, only the second time (after a 3-1 "friendly" win in October 2002 in Madrid) Ireland have beaten Spain during Riet Kuper's reign.

Spain had a significant advantage on the short-corner count - eight to one - but Kuper was satisfied with how the team dealt "coolly and calmly" with the set-piece threat. And it was from a corner Ireland got the only goal, Linda Caulfield scoring from a rebound off the goalkeeper's pads in the 43rd minute.

Caulfield, now playing in midfield, and Ciara O'Brien were chosen for special praise by their coach, while Fiona Connery is continuing to impress in defence, as is Jenny Burke in midfield.

Beating Spain in a friendly doesn't, of course, make next month's task in New Zealand any less formidable, but a victory over the team seeded third for the Qualifier won't do the morale of this Irish team any harm at all. They play Spain again today, in a practice match, before meeting them in a full international tomorrow.

Old Alexandra and Loreto will try to put the disappointment of last weekend's Irish Senior Cup exits behind them when they meet in the semi-finals of the Leinster Jacqui Potter Cup tomorrow, with holders Pembroke Wanderers playing Railway Union for a place in the final.

Last weekend Randalstown put an end to Pegasus's lengthy domination of the Ulster Shield when they beat them 5-4 in the penalty strokes competition that decided their quarter-final. The teams drew the original game, which then had to be abandoned due to a floodlight failure during extra-time. It was decided, uniquely, that the "replay" should go straight to strokes, which Randalstown won when Alison Lappin saved Arlene Boyle's effort.

The result was only discovered long after the event, described by a local newspaper as "one of Ulster women's hockey's closest-guarded secrets", after the authorities failed to notify the Ulster media when it was taking place. Randalstown play Victorians in the semi-finals tomorrow, with Ballymena meeting Belfast Harlequins.

FIXTURES - LEINSTER JACQUI POTTER CUP - Semi-finals (tomorrow): Old Alexandra v Loreto, Grange Road, 3.0; Pembroke Wanderers v Railway Union, Grange Road, 5.0.

LEINSTER LEAGUE - Division One: Three Rock v Genesis, Grange Road, 1.0; Hermes v UCD, Booterstown, 3.0. Division Two: Diocesan v Muckross, Rathgar, 10.15; Loreto II v Glenanne, Beaufort, 12.15; Old Alexandra II v Our Ladys, Milltown, 1.15.

MUNSTER LEAGUE - Division One: Univ of Limerick v UCC, Crescent College, 1.30; Catholic Institute v Bandon, Rosbrien, 2.0.

ULSTER LEAGUE - Section One: Coleraine v Ballyclare, UUC, 2.30; Ballymoney v Pegasus, JD Centre, 2.30.

IRISH JUNIOR CUP - Semi-final: Pembroke Wanderers II v Hermes II, Serpentine Ave, 12.15.

MAY COSTLEY CUP - Semi-finals (tomorrow): Moyne Thurles v Fermoy, Scanlon Park, 2.30. Sunday: Mallow v Mullingar, Harlequin Park, 2.30.