Crowley impresses in Belgian whitewash

Ireland senior women’s coach Gene Muller was effusive in his praise for his young guns, as they helped record a series whitewash of Belgium at Belfield. Ireland added 3-1 and 2-1 victories to Friday night’s 4-0 hammering of the visitors, who were admittedly also under-strength. Muller said:  “I was very happy with the weekend; we were very solid at the back and were always a threat up front. The new players integrated well, and it augurs well for the start of our central preparation programme in October.”

The most impressive Irish performance came on Friday night, when the hosts could have had a hatful, registering 15 shots to their opponents’ three as they ended a 10-game losing streak in style. The second half was book-ended by two Michelle Harvey drag-flicks, with Nikki Evans’ double – her first international goals – coming in between. UCC woman Miriam Crowley laid on one of those, a highlight of a generally impressive performance that saw her twice denied by Belgian netminder Elizabeth Achten. But Crowley didn’t have to wait too much longer for her first international goal, which came during Saturday’s game. Ireland went ahead through Cliodhna Sargent’s corner bash, at the second attempt, before Chloe Watkins picked out Evans for her third goal of the weekend. Valeire Vermeersch pulled one back for the Belgians after the break, but Ireland made sure of victory when  Crowley guided home Alex Speers’ centre on her reverse. Yesterday, Speers’ diving touch opened the scoring on five minute, before McDonnell battered home for 2-0 after some slick interplay with Crowley. Morgane Vouche pulled one back for Belgium but Ireland held out comfortably on a day when skipper for the weekend, Emma Clarke, won her 100th cap.