Composed Irish debut from McCarthy
July 1, 2010
Written by Alan Good, in International, Latest Stories, Reports
Ireland senior women’s coach Gene Muller praised the efforts of Cork Harlequins defender Sinead McCarthy as she impressed on her international debut against Australia at UCD yesterday.
The girls in green put in a sterling defensive shift in going down 1-0 to the world number five outfit, with English-born McCarthy at the heart of that following her 10th-minute introduction.
Muller said: “We were composed and calm in possession today and were defensively well organised. I was pleased with the overall performance and we created some good chances. I felt Sinead McCarthy had a very good international debut.”
Nick Burns on the attack for Ireland U18's against Belgium. Picture: Adrian Boehm
A super strike from Emily Hurtz, two minutes into the second half, settled the tie, but Muller will be happier than his side looked fresher and displayed more resolve than in the 6-0 humbling at the hnads of India in Germany last weekend.
Cliodhna Sargent whipped one goal-bound shot off the line, while at the other end, Julia O’Halloran was inches away from getting a decisive shoulder-high touch as Niamh Small aerialled across goal.
Eimear Cregan also slipped just wide after pick-pocketing Kobie McGurk on the 25 but, on her reverse, her reverse appeared to catch the hook of her stick to redirect the ball just off course in the 22nd minute.
Kary Chau fired a snap-shot just wide soon after for the hockeyroos while Megan Rivers brilliant break-out slipped just beyond Jade Close’s reach on the edge of the circle.
In between, Small earned Ireland’s only corner of the night but Sargent’s straight shot was comfortably saved.
The killer blow came, though, 100 seconds into the second period when Chau pinged a ball from halfway out to the right sideline where the flying Kurtz cut in unopposed and banged in a stunning low strike.
Ireland play again on Friday evening at 6pm before facing the Australian’s in their third and final test on Saturday at 4pm.
Ireland: E Gray, M Harvey, C Sargent, E Cregan (capt), E Clarke, B Cleland, S McCay, A Speers, A O’Flynn, E Smyth, N Small
Subs: L Jacob, J O’Halloran, N Symmons, S McCarthy, N Evans
Meanwhile, Ireland’s U18 boys and girls were left with mixed feelings following the conclusion of their three-game series with Belgium today.
The boys looked somewhat out on their feet yesterday in going down 5-1 to a clinical Belgian side. Owen Magee, younger brother of senior international Eugene, gave the Irish a lead as they initially followed on from where they’d left off in a 3-3 draw on Tuesday.
Namoi Carroll celebrates her goal with Deirdre Duke. Picture: Adrian Boehm
But having equalised, the Belgians scored a pair of neatly worked corners to turn the tables before the break and added a second half double to complete the win.
And in the final game today, they agonisingly lost 3-2, with Shane Madeley and Hugh McShane on the scoresheet in a game which was the sixth match in seven days for 10 of the panel.
Matthias Dubois guided home a fourth minute corner but Madeley finished off Burns’ baseline reverse to level inside 45 seconds.
Belgium, though, enjoyed a smarter period in the next 40 minutes, forcing Ben Dobson to hack one off the line and built a lead early in the second half when Arno Devreker twice profited.
McShane diverted home a corner with 15 minutes remaining and Ireland piled on the pressure but an equaliser proved elusive.
The Irish U18 girls, meanwhile, crashed 3-0 to Belgium yesterday after the exertions of their first two games – which saw them claim a win and a draw – took their toll.
Catholic Institute forward Naomi Carroll hit the target in both Tuesday’s 4-2 win and yesterday’s 1-1 draw, with her equalising strike yesterday of particular note.
Aisling Naughton started the move, sliding through to Deirdre Duke who squared for Carroll to deftly pop over the goalkeeper from close range.
Elsewhere, in Cookstown Ireland A finished off their two-game series with Scotland last night with a 2-0 defeat – Morag McClelland and Ali Howe with the goals – despite an improved overall performance from their 1-1 draw on Tuesday.
Kate Dillon netted Ireland’s strike in that tie but Ann Brody’s effort meant honours were even. Ireland A now reverts to being an U-21 panel for the men’s and women’s Junior Celtic Cup which gets underway in Cookstown on Friday.
* For more of Adrian Boehm’s photos from the boys U18 games click here, while the girls U18 photos are here.
Well done to Sinead excellent debut in fairness, she did very well.
She also allowed Niki Symonns to move back into midfield which was great, as she is wasted at the back, dont know what Muller was thinking playing her there, but sure he had Shirly Mckay there last season (back in midfield now) and Louisa Moore the year before. One would wonder does he know what he is doing?
Just for accuracy, Emer Creegans chance was just a shocking miss, she topped the ball when the chance was gone (keeper out to smother), should have hit it earlier.
Also Julia had no chance getting to Niamh Smalls shot at goal (which eventually hit the corner flag) as it was at least 2 feet over her head.
Ireland don’t look like they can score at present other than from corners, of which they had just 1 I believe. Didnt look like they even wanted to go forward. Maybe Muller needs to bring in a few forwards as they look very light upfront. Who was their last forward to score?
I’d agree Ireland lacked any conviction going forward. They did defend pretty well, though, as the Ozzies didn’t have many clear chances.
Answer to your last question – Alex Speers against Australia in Chile, four games ago.
Perhaps bringing in Sinead McCarthy does suggest that Muller does know what he is doing…allowing Symmons, one of the only players with a decent aerial out of the squad that went to Chile and so a prime candidate to play in the back 4 out there, to go into midfield where she is more of a threat. McCarthy has a decent aerial.
Totally agree on the forwards, Jacob looked like she was going to start doing well, but no one shows the spark required.
Michelle Harvey and Audrey o flynn can aerial
If he knew what he was doing (RE: Symmons) and that she is an effective midfielder then surely he should play her there! He has been like this before indecisive and in my opinion he cant read a players best position. Louisa Moore (Forward) into CB, Shirly McKay (Midfielder) into centre back. Who is he gonna try next? Creegan, he will need a way of keeping her on the pitch, how long has it been since she last scored?
Perhaps he has had external pressure to bring players in from other coaches in Ireland. He cant buy a win at present so knows he has to change things if he is to keep his job. i honestly believe 100% he does not have a notion what he is doing, in my opinion!
Congrats to Sinead on her debut. Not easy to get into the game when you sometimes don’t start. Megan Frazer was a big loss to the forward division with her pace. Conviction is fine however clear lack of vision can inhibit opportunities for forwards. Hard for players as some are changed every so often no matter how they are performing at that time.
interesting point about the aerial. only one that I remember in the three games was done by Harvey, no one else tried one.
Basketball, I think forwards shoiuld be changed full stop, out of panel. Not enough quality or predatory instinct. Need some new ones, its not that they are not given a chance, its just they cant stop the ball or do anything with it when they do!
Hockey is an unusual game in so far that you can only score goals from inside the D or half circle.When a team is set up to defend deeply like Ireland it is then quite difficult for whatever forwards are on show to secure possession anywhere remotely near the opposition D. We tend to defend from the back out rather than impose ourselves on the other teams hit out and retreat behind the half way line. This mindset needs to change. Watched the Australians hitting long balls into the D all day sometimes in the hope of getting a fortuitous corner. This clearly works for them as most of their goals are scored in this fashion. We on the other hand when within 5 mtrs of the D often hit the ball backwards outside the 25 and lost field position.