Ireland's non-playing Davis Cup captain, Peter Wright, was left trying to salvage something from the wreckage of his team's 4-1 defeat by Hungary in Budapest yesterday.

"There was a deal of encouragement in the tie for us. John Doran's win over Norbet Mazany, says that he remains a consistent Davis Cup player," Wright contended. But Doran's sole win for Ireland was earned in a dead-rubber tie. Manzany had beaten the Irish number one Scott Barron on Friday and the top Irish player was again beaten in the dead rubber yesterday, this time by Attila Savolt in straight sets.

"If Scott (Barron) had won in the opening singles on Friday, the Hungarians would have played differently and more cautiously. Instead they knew they had the winning of the tie at 2-0 and played with great confidence," said Wright.

Ireland's fate was sealed in Saturday's doubles when the Hungarians built up a 3-0 winning advantage, Owen Casey and Tommy Hamilton going down in four sets.

Now Ireland must beat Monaco in a relegation match in Dublin in July if they are to remain in division two.