IRELAND continue to be European hockey’s great entertainers but ultimately saw their slim Olympic qualification hopes dashed by the Netherlands, who claimed a 7-4 victory in a topsy-turvy EuroHockey Nations Championship tie in Germany yesterday.

Ireland's ladies drew their last game at EuroHockey Nations Championship in Amsterdam 1-1 with Russia.

HAVING watched their male counterparts blaze a trail of glory for the majority of the summer, Ireland’s senior women have a chance to keep the good vibes coming as they begin their EuroHockey Nations Championship campaign in Amsterdam tomorrow.

THE Irish women’s hockey team open their Eurohockey Nations Championship campaign under new coach Gene Muller in Manchester today (Sat.) against host nation England. Declan Colley reports.