Passmore ‘delighted’ as Ireland claim draw

IF IT might reasonably have been expected that the Irish men’s and women’s teams would deliver thin gruel in their European Championship openers against Spain and England respectively, it transpired that the men at least delivered some haute cuisine here in Belle Vue yesterday.

Their 1-1 draw with reigning champions Spain was a performance well above expectations and it might have been even better had it not been for a series of controversial umpiring decisions which robbed the Irish of a potential shock victory.

Similarly on Saturday, when the Irish women were seriously aggrieved by the standard of umpiring in their game against England which ultimately saw them fall to a 3-0 defeat to the hosts.