Brave Ireland fall to Argentina class

IRELAND showed more of their attacking hand but were left undone by world number one Argentina’s overall class as Carla Rebecchi inspired a 4-1 victory at Belfield last night.

Her pace in attack, aided by Jimena Cedres, Daniela Sruoga and Delfina Merino, was too much for an Irish rearguard shorn of key centre-back Sinead McCarthy, rested as a precautionary measure.

Still, Ireland, with Chloe Watkins in sparkling form, went close to an early breakthrough when Lisa Jacob’s cracked effort was smothered by Maria Aladro.

Maria Barrionuevo’s drag-flick and a superb individual Rebecchi strike had the visitors 2-0 up at the interval. Julia O’Halloran pulled one back in chaotic style, keeper Aladro and Alex Speers taking head injuries as the Cork woman swept home Emma Smyth’s cross.

But Rebecchi twice unlocked the defence to lay up finishes for Agustina Garcia and seven-time world player of the year Luciana Aymar to secure the result.

The sides meet again at Belfield today (4pm) in what is Ireland’s final warm-up clash before the European championships in Germany next week.