Ireland hold Dutch to double in EuroHockey opener
Ireland's women side began their EuroHockey Championship campaign with a battling two-nil defeat to the sport's dominant side Netherlands in Pool A.
The Dutch, who are bidding for a historic fifth European crown in a row, as well as winning the last three World Cups and two Olympics, took the lead eight minutes in.
Lizzie Murphy, who made a string of superb saves throughout, blocked a shot from Lisa Post but the ball rebounded off the body of Sarah McAuley and fell for Joosje Burg to tap into an empty net.
End of 1st quarter: Ireland 0-1 Netherlands
The European champions took the lead in fortunate fashion through Joosje Burg despite a video referral from Ireland
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Ireland (ranked 11th in the world) used their video review, hoping to concede a penalty corner instead, but the official ruled that advantage had been correctly applied.
Murphy kept Ireland in the game going into the break still just one goal behind.
Ireland forced their first penalty corner four minutes into the second half but Christina Hamill scuffed her effort on the sodden pitch.
Half-time: Ireland 0-1 Netherlands
Lizzy Murphy keeping Ireland in contention with the latest in a series of fine saves
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Three minutes later, the Dutch doubled their lead. Róisin Upton was penalised for a nudge on Pien Dicke and Yibbi Janssen, having previously been denied by Murphy, drilled the ball home from what was their fourth short corner.
In the final minute of the quarter, Mikayla Power slipped captain Katie Mullan through but Josine Koning came off her line smartly to save.
Into the final quarter and Marleen Jochems was shown a green card (two-minute sin bin) as Ireland forced another penalty corner, Hannah McLoughlin's shot well stopped by Koning.
Murphy then accidentally diverted the ball into McLoughlin's face but made a good save from the resulting penalty corner, the Netherlands' seventh.
Thankfully, McLoughlin was able to return to the action as Ireland closed out the game without further concessions.
Ireland will now face France (19th in the world) on Monday, hoping for a high-scoring win that would likely set them up for a chance to beat Germany (6th) on Wednesday and reach the semi-finals.
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