Impressive Irish denied win by Petter’s late strike

Ireland 1 Great Britain 1

Ireland's Chloe Watkins tries to go past England's Fiona Crackles during yesterday's SoftCo Series international at Queen's University, Belfast. Photo: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Stephen Findlater

March 17 2021 02:30 AM

Ireland were denied a second successive win over reigning Olympic champions Great Britain just four minutes from time but, when the dust settles, they can take a massive amount from this uncapped Softco Series at Queen’s.

For a third successive game, Róisín Upton netted from the penalty spot with nine minutes left as Ireland largely dominated proceedings. But they were left to rue not making more from 13 penalty corners and GB fired a late sucker-punch when gifted possession on the edge of the Irish D with Izzy Petter clipping in the equaliser.

Notwithstanding, Sean Dancer will take a huge amount from this series shared on wins, draws, losses and goals scored against an illustrious opponent they will meet in the Tokyo group stages later this summer.

Indeed, youngsters Sarah McAuley and Michelle Carey gave him plenty of food for thought and merit a few more run-outs before final selection will be made in the coming months.

Upton, meanwhile, is a cert for the flight after a dominant performance at the base of the defence as she controlled the tempo while her ability to beat players offered so much to break the GB press. Early on, Anna O’Flanagan twice wriggled free only for Maddie Hinch to deny her from the pick of the first-half chances. As time wore on, Ireland’s corner count accumulated and it was from their 13th set-piece Carey’s close range effort was incredibly blocked by Hinch but only onto team-mate Giselle Ansley’s foot.

That precipitated the stroke which Upton scored, sending Hinch the wrong way, the ’keeper incorrectly predicting the Limerick woman would aim left for the third game in a row.

But Ireland could not see out a win to match Sunday’s maiden success against GB as Petter struck late on.

Ireland – A McFerran, Z Malseed, R Upton, K Mullan, S McCay, L Tice, N Carroll, C Watkins, S Hawkshaw, A O’Flanagan, S McAuley. Subs: M Carey, M Frazer, G O’Flanagan, N Daly, H Matthews, S Torrans, N Carey, D Duke.

Great Britain – M Hinch S Robertson, I Petter, L Owsley, F Crackles, E Rayer, S McCallin, L Unsworth, G Balsdon, H Pearne-Webb, A Costello. Subs: G Ansley, J Hunter, S Evans, S Townsend, L Wilkinson, S Heesh, E Burge.

Umpires – R Abbott, L Coughlan