Ireland off the mark in Singapore

Ireland picked up their first points of the girls’ Youth Olympic Games in Singapore earlier today, recording a 1-0 win over South Africa. Lucy McKee broke the deadlock from a 27th-minute penalty corner, converted at the third attempt after Katie Mullan and Rebecca Barry had seen their efforts thwarted by South African goalkeeper Phumelela Mbande.

Her Irish counterpart Lucy Camlin put in a sterling performance between the sticks to keep the Irish goal intact. They survived a late rally, Camlin blocking Jacinta Jubb’s corner and Lisa McCarthy’s sin-binning three minutes from time, to record a clean sheet and finish the group matches in fifth. The win was well merited though manager Una McCarthy is hoping for a more composed performance on Tuesday to complete the tournament on a high. Speaking afterwards, she was pleased with a win but said: “We need a more sustained performance in the classification match on Tuesday. Keeping our composure at key times will be critical and maintaining possession for longer periods is another area we need to improve.” Victory gives Dave Passmore’s side something of a psychological boon ahead of Tuesday’s classification matches, when Ireland will again face South Africa for the right to claim fifth place overall. Argentina and the Netherlands will contest the gold medal match. Girls Youth Olympic Games, Singapore Ireland 1 (L McKee) South Africa 0; Other results: Netherlands 2 Korea 2; New Zealand 0 Argentina 1. Final standings (goal difference in brackets): 1 Argentina 13pts (+14); 2 Netherlands 11pts (+16); 3 New Zealand 9pts (+4); 4 Korea 7pts (-1); 5 Ireland 3pts (-6); 6 South Africa 0pts (-27). Classification matches (Tuesday) Gold medal: Argentina vs Netherlands; Bronze medal: New Zealand vs Korea; 5th/6th playoff: Ireland vs South Africa (8am Irish time).