Black strike sees Quins Czech in with win over Prague hosts

CORK Harlequins began their campaign in the European Club championships in Prague yesterday with a comfortable 1-0 victory over local side SK Slavia Praha.

Mark Black scored the decisive goal just after the half-hour mark and although Quins dominated the game in terms of both short corners awarded and scoring chances, they were unable to add to that tally.

According to team manager Donal Kingston they dominated right from the off and although they only managed to score one goal, the team played well up and down the pitch and were well deserving of their result.

“The short corner count was 7-1 in our favour and apart from that we had 12 scoring chances to their two. Even if we could have scored more, we’re still happy with the result, particularly as we were playing the host team on their home ground.

Harlequins coach Stephen Dale reported himself happy with the outcome and said the team as a whole played well and were particularly impressive defensively.

“They flashed one or two balls across the circle during the match, but we dealt with everything they had to offer without any problems.

He added that the Scottish outfit had won quite easily against Portuguese outfit AA Espinho on a 4-0 scoreline and that now meant today’s game against the Scots would probably decide the group.

“We need to get something out of the game against them to make it through to the cross-overs, but we’ve seen them play and we also videoed the match so we will analyse that and see who they key players are and where their strengths lie,” Dale said.

The good news for Harlequins coming out of yesterday’s game was that goalie Wes Bateman, who went into the game after a week’s intensive treatment for a hamstring strain, came out of it without any reaction and will be fit to face the Wildcats today.

Meanwhile the Irish senior women’s side defeated Italy 3-0 at Belfield yesterday in the second game of their four-match series. Goals from Jill Orbinson and Nicky Symmons gave the hosts a 2-0 interval lead before Cathy McKean finished a move started by Aine Connery for Ireland’s third goal. The sides meet in UCD this afternoon at 4pm.

IRELAND: M Goode (GK), C McKean, A Speers, A Connery, S McCay, L Caulfield (Capt), N Symmons, K Elkin, J Orbinson, C O’Brien, H Bowe.

Bench (all used): A Stewart, R Flinn, R Mulligan, E Clarke, C Parkhill.