Spain's strong start too much for Ireland

THE Irish U18 girls were a poor second best to their Spanish counterparts at Belfield yesterday on Day Two of the European Nations Cup Division A hockey tournament, losing 4-2.

Ireland were 2-0 down after only 10 minutes when Spain’s brilliant midfielder Maria Ramagosa put her stamp on the match, scoring after three minutes, laying on the second for Anna Comerma and then notching her second herself with a 25th minute short corner strike.

Ireland, however, were full of fight and bang in contention with goals from Christine Quinlan (32 minutes) and Kirsty McCollum (37 minutes).

But Spain’s skilful stick work saw Comerma knock in number four after 43 minutes and never release their grip thereafter.

In the boys’ European Nations Cup in Barcelona the Irish U18 and defending champions scored their third win in a row, beating Belgium 4-3 after trailing 3-1 at one stage and will now be grouped with Spain, Holland and Belgium in the medal play-off.

The boys’ U16s lost 3-0 to England.