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.