Disappointment for Ireland women in Olympic hockey qualifier

Another Irish hockey Olympic dream was dashed yesterday after the women's side fell 4-1 to Belgium at the Athlon FIH Road to London Olympic qualifier final in Kontich today.

Having ousted world number 11 Spain with a brilliant 3-2 victory in midweek, this proved a game too far for Gene Muller's 'Green Army' as they were stunned by a first-half Sofie Gierts hat-trick.

Gierts controlled at waist height and blasted home a rocket of a half-volley to notch the opener, before hitting the top corner from the penalty spot after an exceptionally harsh penalty stroke was given against Nikki Symmons for a tackle on Jill Boon.

Gierts then swept home from the push-out spot off a short corner routine to leave Ireland with a mountain to climb.

The girls in green did force six first-half penalty corners but Belgium were happy to put bodies on the line to run down Audrey O'Flynn's drag-flicks.

Tournament top scorer O'Flynn did get Ireland back into it with one such effort with 15 minutes to go, her eighth of the competition, but Belgium restored their three-goal cushion 30 seconds later through Erica Coffey.

The remainder was played out without incident as Belgium, ranked two placed below Ireland but the fastest-improving side in international women's hockey, wound down the clock to ensure they will join their men's side in London this summer.