Ireland just out of the medals

HOCKEY KT Cup: Ireland had to settle for fourth place at the KT Cup in Seoul yesterday after losing 5-2 to China in their bronze medal play-off, a result that was a truer reflection of the gap between the teams in the world rankings than their scoreless draw earlier in the tournament.

While it was a disappointing finish for the team, it was a momentous day for Linda Caulfield (26), who, six years after making her senior debut, won her 100th cap. Before the game the Irish Ambassador to Korea, Conor Murphy, made a special presentation to the Wexford player, the first from the Southeast to reach the milestone.

Back in 1998, when she was a surprise omission from the Irish squad for the under-21 European Championship, Caulfield doubted she had an international future - she now joins Sarah Kelleher, Mary Logue, Rachael Kohler, Karen Humphries, Arlene Boyles, Lynsey McVicker and Jenny Burke in the "100 club".

Alongside her Hermes team-mates in midfield, Caitriona Carey and Jenny Burke, Caulfield helped Ireland to an encouraging opening against the Chinese, ranked at four in the world, but it counted for nothing in the 21st minute when Baorong Fu matched Eimear Cregan's five goals in the tournament by giving China the lead.

Ciara O'Brien came close to equalising from a short corner soon after but Fu converted a clinically worked set-piece in the 28th minute to make it 2-0, and Ireland fell further behind a minute before half-time when Xuejino Huang scored from another corner.

With the temperatures hitting 35 degrees Ireland began to wilt, and China took advantage three minutes after the break when Wangfeng Zhou scored from play. But, not for the first time in the tournament, Ireland finished strongly, Suzanne Beaney pulling a goal back in the 53rd minute, and Burke replying six minutes from time after Yibo Ma had made it 5-1.

"Six matches in eight days and the heat finally took its toll on the team, but they have had a good tournament," said coach Riet Kuper.

The squad, preparing for August's European Championships in Dublin, will need to display their stamina soon again - they're off to Germany for a four-nations tournament in less than three weeks.

IRELAND: A Platt; C Parkhill, B McKeever, C O'Brien, F Connery, C Carey, L Caulfield, J Burke, N Symmons, E Cregan, L McVicker (capt). Subs (used): S Beaney, J McDonough, D Casey, J Hodgins, M Goode.

KT CUP (at Seoul, Korea) - Yesterday: Play-offs - fifth-sixth: India v Malaysia; third-fourth: Ireland 2 (S Beaney, J Burke), China 5; first-second: England 3, Korea 1. Final placings: 1 England, 2 Korea, 3 China, 4 Ireland, 5 India, 6 Malaysia.