Gene Muller offered no excuses as a second Irish Olympic hockey dream went up in smoke within seven days when Belgium proved an all-round superior force in Kontich yesterday.

Another Irish hockey Olympic dream was dashed yesterday after the women's side fell 4-1 to Belgium at the Athlon FIH Road to London Olympic qualifier final in Kontich today.

At the headiest of times for Irish hockey, the agony and ecstasy of the national sides chasing their Olympic dreams was put harrowingly into perspective this week.