HOCKEYIRELAND FELL to a heavy 4-1 defeat in their first training match in Alicante against the Netherlands but yesterday put in a better performances before losing 2-1 to the third-ranked team in the world.
In their first game since August Ireland will look to the second Test as more of a reflection of their current status as they continue preparations for the Olympic Qualifying event in Belfied in March.
The Netherlands, in contrast, had competed in the Champions Trophy, in December. In the first match Billy Bakker scored in the first minute and made it two goals inside 20 minutes. Ireland were 3-0 down at the break when Valentin Verga hit the Netherlands’ third. Peter Blakeney score on a counter-attack in the final quarter but Klaas Vermeulen added a fourth for the Dutch before the finish. Yesterday was more encouraging for Ireland. John Jackson scored in the 52nd minute but two goals from the Dutch made it two from two for them.
In the Leinster Senior Cup Corinthians, Three Rock Rovers, Pembroke and Monkstown completed the line-up for the semi-finals. Rovers won on strokes against UCD with goals from Ross Canning and UCD’s Rob Anderson.
Monkstown beat YMCA 2-1 with scores from Eoin O’Connor and Andrew Ward. Corinthians edged out Glenanne with a late golden goal. Pembroke had secured their place midweek. Monkstown now face Pembroke in the semi-final with Rovers meeting Corinthians.
