Ireland fall short against Germany in EuroHockey bid

 Ireland v Germany (Pool B): Sarah McAuley. WORLDSPORTPICS/WILL PALMER

Ireland women may have lost by five as they failed to keep their EuroHockey bid alive last night, but this only told part of the story in an otherwise stout defeat to a German side intent on winning their first title for a decade.

Ireland had to win by two clear goals to make history and qualify for their first EuroHockey semi-finals. Two first-half goals from a driven German side ultimately proved too much.