Ireland produce mixed bag against Germany

WOMEN'S HOCKEY INTERNATIONALS: IRELAND LOST both their games against Germany in Nuremberg over the weekend, going down 3-0 in Saturday's meeting before putting up a more encouraging show in yesterday's 4-2 defeat to the team ranked third in the world.

Coach Gene Muller was unimpressed with Saturday’s display, noting his side’s loss of concentration at times and lack of sharpness. The Germans scored three goals midway through the second half, a margin of victory that might have been greater but for fine goalkeeping by Louisa Healy.

Yesterday was better, Germany only securing their win in the last five minutes. Natascha Keller opened for the hosts early in the first half but just two minutes later Emma Smyth stole possession and set up Eimear Cregan to equalise, the Irish captain firing home from the narrowest of angles.

Hermes goalkeeper Emma Gray stood firm against a flurry of German corners before being beaten by Janine Beermann 20 minutes in to the second half but, again, Ireland fought back, Nikki Symmons converting a penalty stroke four minutes later after Niamh Small had been impeded.

With five minutes to go Beermann got her second and, with Ireland pressing for an equaliser, Keller made it 4-2 with two minutes to go – her 166th goal in 325 internationals. “I am very pleased with our play today, we played with real conviction,” said Muller. “We had some very strong individual performances.”

INTERNATIONALS(at Nuremberg): Saturday: Germany 3 Ireland 0. Yesterday: Germany 4 Ireland 2 (E Cregan, N Symmons pen).