Hockey: Ireland went down 3-1 to a full-strength Netherlands team in Utrecht yesterday evening but produced a highly creditable display against the reigning European champions and second-ranked team in the world, writes Mary Hannigan.
Carol Thate gave the Dutch the lead after five minutes from a penalty stroke but Irish goalkeeper Tara Browne saved another stroke from the same player 15 minutes later. Suzan van der Wielen added a second goal for the home team when she converted a short corner strike in the 43rd minute, but Claire McMahon reduced the Dutch lead soon after, scoring her sixth goal in as many games for Ireland.
Rachel Kohler came agonisingly close to equalising minutes later, hitting the post from a short corner rebound, but van der Wielen secured the win for the Dutch 15 minutes from time with another short corner strike.
IRELAND: T Browne, L Caulfield, A Thompson, D Sixsmith, P Magill, M Logue (capt), S Kelleher, R Kohler, C McMahon, J Burke, K Mills. Subs: L McVicker, C Carey, J Orbinson.
Today: Belgium v Ireland, Utrecht, 12.0.
Cricket: Merrion took possession of the Alan Murray Cup for the Leinster 20-overs league for the fourth year running when they defeated North County by nine wickets at Sydney Parade last evening.
North County, appearing in their first final since their promotion to senior cricket, were dismissed for a moderate 96, and with opener Joe Morrissey rattling up a quick-fire 56 not out in 44 balls Merrion raced to their target in just 14 overs.
Details in Sports Round-Up
Tennis: TOP seeds Conor Niland and Elsa O Riain, Irish junior internationals from Limerick and Cork respectively, O Riain Both Irish prospects emerged victorious over British and German players in the Swiss ITF world junior ranking tennis tournament at Leopardstown yesterday.
David O'Connell and Sarah McIntyre also won.
Details in Sports Round-Up
O Riain bt M Krivic (Ger) 6-4 6-4, D Van Boekel (Ned) bt C McMorrow 6-2 6-1, S McInytyre bt L Salek (Gbr) 7-5 6-4, M Immink (Gbr) bt E Murphy 5-7 6-4 7-5, H Broome (Gbr) bt R Magory 7-6 4-6 6-2, L Cowper (Gbr) bt C Gunne (Gbr) 7-5 6-2, R Hennis (Gbr) bt R Dandenyia (Gbr) 6-4 5-7 7-6, I De Geest (Ned) bt K Leonard 6-0 6-1.
Hill Running: Noel Berkeley, the winner of last weekend's Irish 10,000 metre track championship, has a different track to face in tonight's Sugarloaf mountain race in Wicklow. The DSD runner needs a top-five finish in his final race of the Leinster League to fend off the attentions of his club-mate, Gerry McGrath, and Crusaders' Paul Nolan.
