True, it has to be done, but the sight of the Irish squad practising penalty strokes in Amiens yesterday was enough to put years on their already prematurely ageing supporters. Indeed, if tomorrow's World Cup qualifying play-off against Lithuania, who finished third in Pool B yesterday, should need a strokes competition to produce a winner (prize: a place in the World Cup finals) there are some here who doubt they could bear to watch.

The support, though, for the squad has been superb. Already this week they have received 400 emails (to worldcup@hockey.ie) wishing them well, many from people with no connection with hockey. They have easily been the best supported team at the tournament (granted, not difficult) and have played much of their hockey, bizarrely enough, to the strains of the Fields of Athenry. Michael, presumably, would be puzzled by it all.

The loss through injury of sweeper Arlene Boyles, who sustained concussion following a blow to her head during the match against Ukraine, is a huge blow to the team, but Lithuania, too, have their own troubles, with right-back Inesa Puidokiene taken to hospital yesterday with a broken nose after a Russian shot deflected into her face. If the people who run the nearby casualty unit were under the impression that "ladies" hockey was a gentle game, they know better now.

Boyles is out, then, news conveyed by manager Denise McCarthy who has taken to providing such updates through rhyme ("Boyles toils and is out for the bout, but a cut to Jill is hurting nil").

Boyles' Pegasus team-mate Pamela Magill played at sweeper after the Irish vice-captain left the pitch on Wednesday and did well enough to suggest she may start there against Lithuania.

UCD's Ciara O'Brien replaced Magill at left-back and was probably Ireland's best player in the second half, so she might be considered for the starting XI - although Karen Humphreys is also in contention.