Results – Ireland v Spain – 6-11 February 2018

Date	Home Team		Away Team
06.02.2018	Spain	7	Ireland	0
08.02.2018	Spain	0	Ireland	2
10.02.2018	Spain	3	Ireland	1
11.02.2018	Spain	2	Ireland	3

[2][3][4][5]

Series Drawn 2-2

Venues

Match	Venue
All Matches	CHP Benalmadena, Spain

[2][3][4][5]

Report

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Ireland v Spain

Ireland gained a two-all draw in the series with a number 11 ranked Spain, who were just off a series of draws with World Number 5 Australia, whereas Ireland had not played a series since November.[3]

6 February 2018: Spain 7 Ireland 0:

Spain nearly went in front after 90 seconds but their goal from the first penalty corner of the match was disallowed after a goal-mouth scramble, Lucia Jiminez, however, put Spain in front after 3 minutes. Ireland had their first chance from a penalty corner of their own but Roisin Upton’s shot went wide. Spain went 2-0 up on ten minutes as Berta Bonastre ran from the baseline into the circle and scored from close range. Ireland put Spain under some pressure late in the first half and Chloe Brown’s shot was saved by the Spanish Goalie.[2]

Berta Bonastre scored her second goal with a stroke high into the right corner to put Spain 3-0 up and they then scored four goals in the fourth quarter to finish 7-0 winners and spoil Naomi Carroll’s 100th Irish cap. Begona Garcia (2), Lola Riera and Maialen Garcia were the scorers.[2]

8 February 2018: Spain 0 Ireland 2

The second game was played at a significantly higher pace and Ireland put Spain under pressure right from the whistle. Deirdre Duke won a penalty corner for Ireland but her shot was saved. The Irish defence kept Spain at bay, and in the 29th minute Ireland were rewarded with a goal from a diving Katie Mullan from a cross-field pass from Gillian Power.[3]

Zoe Wilson and Shirley McCay were threading passes through the Spanish defence in the second half and a penalty stroke from Lena Tice put Ireland 2-0 up. The penalty was awarded after a penalty corner that was stopped on the line by a Spanish body. Spain put Ireland under pressure towards the end as they sought to get back into the match but Ireland’s defence held well to give Ireland a 2-0 victory.[3]

10 February 2018: Spain 3 Ireland 1

Ireland started as they had played in the previous win, with Sarah Torrans causing trouble for the Spanish defence from the start, a pass to Katie Mullan saw a shot sail just over the crossbar. Torrans drew an excellent save herself and the rebound from Gillian Pinder was cleared as well. Just before half-time Ireland were rewarded as Anna O’Flanagan sent a cross into the circle for Aisling Naughton to put Ireland 1-0 up.[4]

The Irish were defence was caught unaware for the Spanish equaliser as an out-of-place defence was punished by a Marta Segu goal in the 33rd minute. Ireland responded with a reverse shot from O’Flanagan that went just wide of the post, and forced another save minutes later. Spain, however, got two goals in five minutes to seal the match, Alicia Magaz and Marta Segu the scorers.[4]

11 February 2018: Spain 2 Ireland 3

Anna O’Flanagan won a penalty corner in the opening minutes as Ireland started the brighter, however, Zoe wilson’s strike from the top of the circle flew just over the crossbar. From there on Spain seized momentum, and in the 9th minute Carmen Cano gave them the lead. A second goal from Lola Riera from a goalmouth scramble saw Spain take control, forcing two more saves in quick succession. Ireland finished the half the stronger as Lena Tice’s shot ricocheted off the post.[5]

Ireland started the second half as they finished the first with two shots coming off the post and crossbar. Anna O’ Flanagan then scored from the penalty spot to put Ireland back in the game, and Deirdre Duke forced a fine save. Katie Mullan made a vitall interception and a one-two with Ellen curran caught the Spanish defence napping, and Mullan put a reverse shot into the corner for an equaliser. Anna O’Flanagan then won it for Ireland from a penalty corner with a deflection of Shirley MCCay’s shot. The come-from-behind victory left the series tied two wins apiece.[5]

Players and Scorers

Ireland Squad [2][3][4][5]

Date	Ireland Squad (Goals)
06.02.2018	Starters: G O’ Flanagan, Z Wilson, L Tice, S McCay, L Colvin, R Upton, G Pinder, K Mullan, N Carroll, N Evans, K Lloyd. Subs: C Cassin, H Matthews, Y O’Byrne, A Meeke, E Beatty, C Brown, D Duke.
08.02.2018	Starters: G O’ Flanagan, H Matthews, L McGuire, L Tice(1), R Upton, Z Wilson, G Pinder, K Mullan (C)(1), D Duke, A Naughton, S Torrans. Subs: E Buckley, Y O’Byrne, S McCay, L Colvin, R Barry, N Evans, E Russell.
10.02.2018	Starters: E Buckley, Y O’Byrne, N Evans, K Mullan, S MCCay, E Tice, G Pinder, R Upton, S Torrans, A O’Flanagan (C), Z Wilson. Subs: C Cassin, A Naughton (1), N Carroll, L Colvin, H Matthews, R Barry, L McGuire.
11.02.2018	Starters: G O’ Flanagan, A Naughton, N Evans, K Mullan (C)(1), E Tice, G Pinder, L Colvin, H Matthews, A O’Flanagan (2), Z Wilson, E Curran. Subs: E Buckley, Y O’Byrne, S McCay, S Torrans, D Duke, A Meeke, L MCGuire.

References

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Websites

[1] Hockey Ireland (2017) Hockey Ireland Logo [Internet] Available from: http://sportlomo-userupload.s3.amazonaws.com/user_data/modules/player_profiles2/8089/36Ggv3vHPUGom7VCRnL57YR8.jpeg [Accessed 29 May 2017]

[2] Hockey Ireland (2017) Spain Seal Victory In Opening Fixture of Series [Internet] Available from: http://www.hockey.ie/news-detail/10034986/ [Accessed 14 February 2018]

[3] Hockey Ireland (2017) Green Army Earn 2-0 Victory Over Spain [Internet] Available from: http://www.hockey.ie/news-detail/10035100/ [Accessed 14 February 2018]

[4] Hockey Ireland (2017) Spain Edge Encounter With Green Army [Internet] Available from: http://www.hockey.ie/news-detail/10035166/ [Accessed 14 February 2018]

[5] Hockey Ireland (2017) Green Army Beat Spain To Split The Series [Internet] Available from: http://www.hockey.ie/news-detail/10035182/ [Accessed 14 February 2018]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Margaret Williams and Irene Carroll (UCD)

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 28 July 2019

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2019

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Reserved.