Barr goal not enough as Ireland Women lose European opener to England

Ireland fell 2-0 down before Barr struck from a well-worked penalty corner.

IRELAND WOMEN LOST out 2-1 at the hands of England in their opening European Championship tie in Antwerp today.

England took control of the match at the end of a tight first quarter, Suzy Petty seizing on a rebound after Ayeisha McFerran kept out the initial effort from Giselle Ansley off a penalty corner.

England mounted further pressure on McFerran’s goal in the second quarter and Ireland’s deficit was doubled by a brilliant blast to the top corner by Ansley.

Ansley with a rocket into the top corner from a PC flick doubles the English lead at the end of the first half #EHC2019

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— EuroHockey (@eurohockeyorg) August 18, 2019

EuroHockey / Twitter

Maddie Hinch was forced to find her best form to keep the lead at two going into half-time and Ireland enjoyed the greater possession early in the second half before pulling a goal back through Bethany Barr’s finish on an expertly-executed set-piece.

Ireland are back in this game, as Barr deflects in a smart PC routine #EHC2019

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— EuroHockey (@eurohockeyorg) August 18, 2019

EuroHockey / Twitter

They would continue pressing for an equaliser until the death, but the final penalty corner was kept out by England to seal victory.

Ireland will be back in action in Pool B against Belarus tomorrow.

Barr goal not enough as Ireland Women lose European opener to England

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