Cregan stars, but Irish lose

Korea 6 Ireland 3

In 30 degree temperatures, Korea started the stronger of the two teams and, in front of a huge home crowd and live TV coverage, they went ahead after three minutes from a well-rehearsed short corner. Ireland fought their way back into the game but conceded again on eight minutes through a goal from open play.

Korea went three up in the 20th minute and scored again twelve minutes later in what was beginning to look like a rout at 4-0.

Ireland’s Clare Parkhill came on after 23 minutes to make her international debut and Ireland were gaining confidence as the half went on. In fact, they were unlucky not to score from two penalty corners late in the half.

Mary Goode started the second half in goal, also earning her first cap, and Ireland settled a lot better in the second half, despite being 4-0 down.

Their efforts were rewarded with just 5 minutes gone after great work by Lynsey McVicker down the left. Jenny McDonough’s initial shot was saved but Eimear Cregan struck the rebound into the roof of the net. On 10 minutes, Cregan scored again, rounding two defenders before beating the ‘keeper to make it 4-2.

Five minutes later Korea scored again from open play to increase their lead to 5-2.

Thereafter, Nikki Symmons was unlucky to see her short corner rebound off the post with the keeper well beaten, but Cregan then completed her hat-trick on 31 minutes from a short corner set-piece.

The Koreans then won a corner right on the final whistle and the game finished 6-3.

Ireland’s national coach Riet Kuper was pleased with the performace of the team considering it was their first competitive game in almost a year.

“We were playing one of the best teams in the World and have been short of match practice, so I am not terribly surprised by the result,” she said.

Ireland’s next game is against China today at 5.30 am Irish time.

Ireland: Platt, Connery, Caulfield, Cregan, Carey, McKeever, McDonough, McVicker, O'Brien, Orbinson, Burke. Subs Casey (15), Parkhill (23), Symmons (15), Goode (35), Beaney (23).