Green Army off to winning start
August 15, 2014
Ireland beat France tonight 9-0 at the National Hockey Stadium in UCD, in their opening match of the Electric Ireland test series. Ireland dominated the match throughout with Audrey O'Flynn scoring 4 goals from penalty corners, Aine Connery with 2; Emma Smyth; Gillian Pinder and Katie Mullan all getting on the score sheet with one each.
Ireland opened the game dominating from the first whistle. After their fourth penalty corner Ireland finally found the back of the net thanks to Audrey O'Flynn's drag flick in the 18th minute. Ireland had numerous other first half chances but Bruneau in goals for France did well to keep the efforts out until the 33 minute when Audrey O'Flynn's drag flick again proved too powerful and she scored her brace giving Ireland a 2-0 lead at half time.
Ireland came out looking strong in the second half bossing the French about the field scoring their 3rd goal from their 8th penalty corner thanks once again to marksman Audrey O'Flynn scoring a hat-trick. Ireland continued to gain momentum Audrey O'Flynn again on the score sheet in the 47th minute again from a set piece drag flick. Ireland scored again just minutes later this time Railway Union's Emma Smyth scoring with style to make it 5-0. Next up Gillian Pinder made it six from a three on one situation making no mistake and slamming it home, five minutes later Katie Mullan was on the score sheet after Captain Megan Frazer crashed the ball through for a final Mullan touch to make it 7-0.
In the 60th & 61st minute Aine Connery scored two the first coming from Naomi Carroll's break down the left hand side the second from the penalty spot when Connery pounced on a rebound ball from the post to make it 9-0.
Ireland will have less than a 24 hour turnaround before they take on Spain tomorrow night at 6pm at the National Hockey Stadium in UCD
Ireland Team XI:
Audrey O’Flynn (Hermes) Naomi Carroll (Catholic Institute) Megan Frazer – Captain (Holcombe HC / Ballymoney) Stella Davis (GK) (Pembroke Wanderers) Ali Meeke (Loreto) Anna O'Flanagan (UCD) Gillian Pinder (UCD) Emma Smyth (Railway Union) Cliodhna Sargent (Cork Harlequins) Nicci Daly (Holcombe HC / Loreto) Aine Connery (Hermes)
Reserves:
Emma Gray (GK – Hermes); Chloe Brown (Ards); Hannah Matthews (Loreto); Katie Mullan (UCD)Kate Dillon (Railway Union) Deirdre Duke (UCD) Emily Beatty (UCD)
Series 1
- Wednesday August 13th Spain 9-2 France
- Thursday August 14th Ireland 9-0 France 19.00
- Friday August 15th Ireland v Spain 18.00
Series 2
- Saturday August 16th Spain v France 16.00
- Sunday August 17th Ireland v France 16.00
- Monday August 18 Ireland v Spain 19.00
Series 3
- Tuesday August 19th Spain v France 19.00
- Wednesday August 20 Ireland v France 19.00
- Thursday August 21 Ireland v Spain 19.00
Series 4
- Friday August 22 Spain v France 17.00
- Saturday August 23 Ireland v France 15.00
- Sunday August 24th Ireland v Spain 15.00
