The Irish were behind inside 20 seconds as the heavens opened on the Cote d’Azur, leading to a farcical opening goal on a water-logged pitch with French forward Charlotte Boyer nipping in to score.
Within a minute, the TD stepped in to suspend play for an hour. And Ireland started much the better, Michelle Harvey whipping home a drag-flick in the 5th minute.
Philippine Berly – well-known to many of the panel due to her time with the Ulster Elks – restored the lead for the French from a penalty corner as les bleus were in the ascendancy.
Ireland hung tough with Louisa Healy pulling off a couple of saves as Audrey O’Flynn made her exit with a hand injury.
The Irish bounced back from their second corner, Harvey’s strike deflected high into the net by Rachel Mulligan to make it 2-2 at half-time. And that corner threat eventually settled the tie as Harvey (pictured) shot the third of a series of corners low for the only goal of the second half.
Eimear Cregan (ankle) and Niamh Small (hamstring) picked up injuries, too, to make it a busy day for the physios but Ireland is now in pole-position to claim the reduced Celtic Cup, enjoying a rest day tomorrow ahead of Sunday’s showdown with Scotland.
Speaking afterwards, Gene Muller said: "It was a nightmare start to the match for us but the players handled it very well. They showed good maturity to stick to the take in adversity. We clawed our way to a win in a difficult game.” Ireland play Scotland on Sunday at 10am (Irish time).
Ireland: Louisa Healy (Loreto); Roisin Flinn (Old Alex); Cliodhna Sargent (Cork Harlequins); Eimear Cregan (Catholic Institute); Emma Clarke (Leicester); Emma Stewart (Armagh); Bridget Cleland (Ballymoney); Shirley McCay (Dragons); Audrey O'Flynn (UCC); Alex Speers (Dragons); Rachel Mulligan (Armagh); Nikki Symmons (Loreto); Emma Smyth (Railway Union); Lizzie Colvin (Loreto); Lisa Jacob (UCD); Michelle Harvey (Pegasus)
Did not play: Mary Goode (Bray) Niamh Small (Loreto)
* To follow the tournament online, click here
7 comments:
any news about the junior girls cup? it usually finishes up around this time doesnt it?
holy child killiney v wesley on tuesday
The final is on Tuesday at 2pm between Wesley College and Holy Child Killiney in Marley.Wesley will be favourites having already won the League.Holy Child didn't qualify for the quarter finals of the League, but have pulled off 2 great wins in the Cup over Muckross 2-1,and Alex 1-0in the quarter and semis respectively.
Great to see a different school from the normal 'Big Five'contesting a Leinster Schools Final.
well done ireland!!!
who coaches holy child? theyve done a great job whoever they are!
gordon watkins coaches killiney
Say no more! Well done Gordon!
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