Ireland 1 Germany 3

Darren Smith looked to the "huge positives" from his Irish women's team despite a contentious 3-1 loss to Germany in their second World League round 3 tie in Valencia.

The previous meeting between Ireland and the European champions ended in a 7-1 defeat but there was little between them yesterday.

Smith’s side were left to rue a bizarrely disallowed opening goal for Kate Dillon while there was more than a little doubt about the Germans’ clinching third effort in the closing minute.

Ultimately, two goals in quick succession from Anna Schröder and Marie Mävers in the third quarter proved all-important.

Anna O'Flanagan got one back but Ireland could not nab another to force a result before Lydia Haase nabbed a late third goal.

Ireland showed plenty of the verve and attacking flair that saw them beat South Africa a day earlier, playing their part in a match that saw three efforts hit posts while two more shots were cleared off the line.

Ireland are next in action on Saturday against world number 29 side Uruguay – Ireland are 14th – where a win will ensure a quarter-final berth.

IRELAND: E Gray, C Sargent, E Smyth, K Mullan, S McCay, M Frazer, A Connery, L Colvin, N Daly, H Matthews, A O'Flanagan. Subs: Y O'Byrne, N Evans, C Watkins, A McFerran, C Watkins, K Dillon, A Meeke

GERMANY: K Reynolds, N Lorenz, A Schröder, K Hillmann, N Hasselmann, J Muller-Wieland, H Kruger, J Teschke, L Altenburg, F Hauke, M Mävers. Subs: Y Frank, A Korth, L Steindor, C Stapenhorst, L Stockel, E Hoffmann, L Haase