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.