Ireland lose opener to England at EuroHockey Championships

Ireland lost their opening Pool B game at the EuroHockey Championships in Moenchengladbach, going down 3-0 to old rivals England.

Conceding a penalty stroke as early as the eighth minute, Grace Balsdon made no mistake to put England 1-0 ahead.

Ireland were then reduced to 10 temporarily, when Sarah McAuley was green carded in the 11th minute but England could not capitalize on their numerical advantage.

However, England increased their lead in the second quarter when Tess Howard scored from open play in the 21st minute as they led 2-0 at half time.

Liz Murphy replaced Ayeisha McFerran between the posts for the second half but by the end of quarter three there had been no further scoring. England were then reduced to 10 players, temporarily, following Lily Walker's green card in the 42nd minute.

Hannah Martin grabbed a third goal for England from open play in the 48th minute, which was the only goal of the fourth quarter.

Goalscorer Tess Howard reduced her team to ten players for the final few minutes of the game as she was yellow carded, however, there was no jeopardy involved for England as they ran out 3-0 winners.

ENGLAND: Sabbie Heesh (GK), Lizzie Neal, Hollie Pearne-Webb (C), Grace Balsdon, Lily Owsley, Flora Peel, Laura Roper, Sophie Hamilton, Hannah Martin, Izzy Petter, Ellie Rayer

SUBS: Olivia Hamilton, Fiona Crackles, Lily Walker, Alex Malzer, Tess Howard, Holly Hunt

IRELAND: Ayeisha Mc Ferran (GK), Sarah McAuley, Roisín Upton, Elena Neill, Naomi Carroll, Charlotte Beggs, Caitlin Sherin, Sarah Torrans, Kathryn Mullan (C), Sarah Hawkshaw, Naomi Carroll, Niamh Carey

SUBS: Liz Murphy (GK), Deirdre Duke, Michelle Carey, Hannah McLoughlin, Ellen Curran, Caoimhe Perdue, Katie McKee