HOCKEY/Women's trip to New Zealand/China 3 Ireland 1:IRELAND LOST for the second time in a week to China in Wellington yesterday, in the third match of their trip to New Zealand, going down to the side ranked fifth in the world.
Having trailed 2-0 after just six minutes the final result might have been a whole lot worse, but Ireland rallied to produce a creditable display against the Olympic hosts.
Substitute Julia O'Halloran provided the highlight of the game for the Irish, pulling a goal back on 42 minutes following fine work from Shirley McCay and Emma Clarke, the UCC player firing an unstoppable reverse stick shot in to the roof of the net.
With just three minutes to go, however, China sealed their win with a direct strike from a short corner.
Ireland play New Zealand tomorrow, who they beat 2-1 on Wednesday, in the final game of the tour, which forms part of the squad's build-up to next month's Olympic Qualifier in Canada.
IRELAND: M Goode, C Parkhill, B McKeever, C O'Brien, S McCay, E Cregan, E Clarke, N Symmons, C McKean, L Jacob, L Moore. Subs: R Flinn, J McDonough, J O'Halloran, E Stewart, H Moffett.
