Updated at 20.00
THE IRISH WOMEN’S hockey team’s hopes of qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics ended today, as they were beaten 6-1 by USA.
The US took a 2-0 half-time lead before adding a third and fourth goal in the second period.
A goal from Anna O’Flanagan reduced the deficit, but Ireland’s opponents finished strongly, securing an emphatic victory in the process.
Irish hopes of reaching Rio were already slim, after their heartbreaking shoot-out loss to China during the week.
Ireland needed to beat the US to progress to a fifth-sixth place playoff and retain hope of qualifying for next year’s Olympics.