The Australian women's team remained undefeated during its four match tour against Ireland. The Hockeyroos won the third match on Saturday 5-0, while they grabbed match number 4 3-0 on Sunday at UCD in Dublin, Ireland. In earlier action, Australia was already twice too strong for the host.
Ireland started the fourth match looking more comfortable and confident on the ball. There were a number of the more senior players utilized for the final match and their experience showed on the pitch, although some of the younger members displayed some excellent hockey of their own, particularly Stephaine Quinn in defense.
True to Australian's form they played swift attacking hockey and Mary Goode was forced into pulling off some excellent saves in the first half. Ireland also penetrated the Australian circle much more today than in the previous three games, but two penalty corners yielded no goals for the Irish. Australia's goal of the first half came in the sixteenth minute through a direct penalty corner, albeit amongst some controversy when it appeared that the Irish defense was not quite ready. However, the visitors lead at half time one goal to nil.
Ireland managed to hold their own in the second half until two consecutive goals came from open play. Megan Rivers scoring in the sixtieth minute and twenty six year old Hope Munroe scoring in the sixty first to close the final match out at three goals to nil.
A more experience Irish side took on the Hockeyroos in match three in UCD, Dublin. The defensive line up saw 93 times capped Bridget McKeever and 129 times capped Ciara O'Brien back in the fold.
The Australians however started the match in attacking mode and high ball pace paid off in the fourth minute for 21 year old Kate Hollywood who found a way passed Healy from open play. Ireland's defense line was certainly tested and they were forced to deal with a lot of pressure in their own twenty five and in the twenty second minute conceded a penalty corner. Through a well worked routine that found Hope Munroe sitting on the back post the Australian's doubled their lead. Five minutes later Madonna Blyth got her name on the score sheet when she picked up a backline pass on the penalty spot to go three nil ahead.
Despite the pressure Ireland managed a few breaks and attacks of their own but a strong Australian defense dealt cooly with any Irish threat. The final goal of the half came on the whistle through a well executed penalty corner with Casey Eastham on hand to convert.
Ireland started the second thirty five more determined and immediately created some attacking play through midfield. But the majority of possession still lay with the visitors and the Irish defense were put under pressure during long periods of play, pressure that they managed to deal with keeping the score sheet clean for most of the second half.
In the fifty second minute the Australian's had their second penalty corner of the half but Healy dealt with the shot well. An Irish goalie change saw Frey come in to goals moments later and she was immediately under fire, pulling off three great saves in as many minutes. Ireland, were finally out of luck in the seventieth minute when the final play of the game saw Australia awarded with a penalty corner which was converted by Megan Rivers to close out the game and give the visitors a five nil victory.
Commenting after the game was Coach Gene Muller ÔÇ£This was the first time pack for many players post the Europeans and we took too long to make decisions on the pitch and at times we looked uncomfortable in possession.ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£We competed better in the second half and we need to learn to start at that level from the first whistle.ÔÇØ
Source: Irish Hockey Association
