Magee sniffs out injury-time equaliser to leave poor Lhomme shattered

IRELAND’S tournament hoodoo against France almost resurfaced before Eugene Magee saved the day with the last touch of the match in a 2-2 Champions Challenge II draw in Lille yesterday.

A somewhat experimental Irish panel had already had a warning shot across their bows during their opening pool clash with Scotland on Saturday, when they almost surrendered a three-goal half-time lead before prevailing 3-2.

Having socked the French 7-1 and 6-1 during the recent Celtic Cup and Four Nations tournaments, Ireland had every right to enter their clash with hosts in confident mood.