Smith pays tribute to Ireland’s swift defensive improvement

Ireland senior women’s coach Darren Smith praised his side’s improvement over a short space of time despite going down 3-0 to New Zealand in the Electric Ireland Four Nations final in Dublin this week.

Smith’s charges endured a harrowing 9-2 pool stage defeat to the world number four Black Sticks last weekend, conceding five consecutive short corners, but were much better able to mix it in the decider, which they reached with victories over Canada (5-0) and Chile (1-0).

With the experienced Shirley McCay going off injured, it was left to rookie trio Ali Meeke, Hannah Matthews and Yvonne O’Byrne to handle defensive duties, and Smith singled them out for praise.