Ireland rattle world champs but get little reward

Ireland were left frustrated as they ended the first Four Nations tournament in Argentina with a fourth place finish despite losing just once in normal time and putting it up to the world champions on Saturday evening. Indeed, they almost pulled off one of their best ever results when they forged an early 2-0 lead against the host nation before Carla Dupuy struck with just four minutes remaining to deny a famous win. It placed Ireland in Sunday’s bronze medal match with India, a tie which saw a trade of corner goals which led to penalty strokes and the Asian side prevailed 4-2.

But it was Saturday’s tie which will provide both pride and frustration. Ireland hit the front when Shirley McCay clubbed home brilliantly first time after Cliodhna Sargent’s corner strike bounced back to the left edge of the circle. Sargent ‘s second hit found its way in via the right-hand post woman’s stick to put Ireland in dreamland after 18 minutes and it was a lead they held until the break. Silvina D’Elia swept home a slight corner switch with plenty of sliders making visibility difficult for Pamela Smithwick and it brought the sizeable crowd into the game as they felt the comeback was on. And they got their leveller when possession was nabbed on the right wing with Dupuy working her way into the circle and unleashing a reverse. It could have been even worse as a last minute corner hit Sargent on the line. But Noel Barrionuevo saw her penalty stroke effort kicked away by Smithwick and the draw was attained. Coach Gene Muller  praised the side’s performance, saying afterwards: “We produced a very mature and committed performance today. Our work rate was fantastic and we were tactically smart. The players loved the fact that we got a result against the world champions in front of their large home crowd.” The result, combined with South Africa’s 3-2 win over India, saw Ireland drop into the third/fourth playoff against the Asian nation. Holding more of the play, Ireland looked on course to repeat their victory over three days earlier when Michelle Harvey scored from a corner but Deepika responded in kind from a set-piece to tie the game with 14 minutes left. It sent the game to penalty strokes and India got the edge 4-2. Ireland are back in action on Wednesday against South Africa in Parana in the second Four Nations tournament. **Words by The Hook’s Stephen Findlater. To see more of Matias Noe Correa Arce’s photos from the game, click here (requires Facebook) Ireland (vs Argentina): Pamela Smithwich, Michelle Harvey, Sinead McCarthy, Cliodhna Sargent, Aine Connery, Chloe Watkins, Shirley McCay, Elizabeth Colvin, Niamh Small, Alexandra Speers (c), Audrey O’Flynn. Subs: Miriam Crowley, Hannah Bowe, Nicola Daly, Niamh Atcheler, Anna O’Flanagan Ireland (vs India): Emma Gray, Hannah Bowe, Aine Connery, Lizzie Colvin, Nicola Evans, Sinead McCarthy, Shirley McCay, Audrey O’Flynn, Cliodhna Sargent, Alex Speers, Chloe Watkins Subs: Miriam Crowley, Anna O’Flanagan, Nicci Daly, Niamh Atcheler, Michelle Harvey Second Four Nations (Parana, Argentina) December 14: South Africa v Ireland, 8.30pm; Argentina v India, 11pm December 15: India v Ireland, 8.30pm; Argentina v South Africa, 11pm December 17: South Africa v India, 8.30pm; Argentina v Ireland, 11pm December 18: Classifications – 3^rd v 4^th, 8.30pm; final, 11pm