‘The 50 Saves of Gray’ earn Ireland bronze

Ireland were left thankful for what one wag termed “The 50 Saves of Gray” as they claimed a brilliant bronze at the Champions Challenge I tournament in Dublin yesterday.

Goalkeeper Emma Gray enhanced her reputation as one of the fastest improving netminders in the world as Ireland went down fighting 2-1 against the USA in the semi-finals.

That set up a grudge game against regular nemesis Scotland in the bronze medal game, with the girls in green twice coming from behind through Emma Smyth and Niamh Atcheler to draw 2-2 after extra-time.