IRELAND fell to a solo penalty corner strike for the second successive 1-0 win for Spain as Lola Riera’s 45th minute drag-flick did the damage in Belfield last night.

ÁINE CONNERY looks set to be given the chance to resurrect her Irish international hockey career, after she was confirmed as a participant in the team’s central preparation programme (CPP) yesterday.

SCOTLAND struck late in each half to compound Ireland’s woes at the World Cup qualifiers in Santiago, Chile as a lack of killer instinct either end put paid to any remote chance of reaching the second biggest competition in the game.

IRELAND coach Gene Muller believed only three of his squad of 16 performed to standard as his side were thrashed 3-0 by Malaysia in Santiago yesterday, virtually ending their World Cup dreams at the first hurdle.

AUDREY O’FLYNN faces into the biggest test of her fledgling international career next month after she was yesterday named in Gene Muller’s 18-strong Ireland squad for the World Cup Qualifiers in Chile.

IRELAND’S senior women’s squad touched down in Nice, France yesterday ahead of this weekend’s Celtic Cup tournament, knowing many are in the last-chance saloon as they bid to secure a place in the squad for next month’s World Cup qualifier in Chile.

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.

Ireland 2 Ukraine 1

IRISH women’s hockey coach Gene Muller yesterday announced his squad to face Scotland in a three match series in UCD at the weekend.

CORK Harlequins began their campaign in the European Club championships in Prague yesterday with a comfortable 1-0 victory over local side SK Slavia Praha.

THE Irish Hockey Association has appointed Paul Varian to the permanent position of Chief Executive.

THE improving form of the Cork Church of Ireland women’s side is perhaps due its biggest test of the season at Garryduff tomorrow when they face the powerful northern outfit Pegasus in the quarter-final of the ESB Senior Cup (hit-off 2 pm).

Barry Coughlan

Neptune have lost again this time to Shamrock Rovers who were playing their last home game of the season.