Irish go down to Riera’s strike

IRELAND fell to a solo penalty corner strike for the second successive 1-0 win for Spain as Lola Riera’s 45th minute drag-flick did the damage in Belfield last night.

In a more entertaining tie, openings were more freely available with Shirley McCay seeing her looping flick taken off the line while Lisa Jacob had a first-half effort skim across the face of goal.

But the Spanish visitors had the edge in class and twice hit the post, first through Gloria Comerma and then via the stick of Berta Bonastre. For Gene Muller, the lack of goal threat continues to be a concern as four penalty corners went incomplete while clear-cut chances remain at a premium. They play the third of this series tomorrow at 12pm in Belfield.