HOCKEY:TWO GOALS from Cliodhna Sargent gave Ireland a bright start to their 12-day trip to South Africa where they are continuing their preparations for March's Olympic qualifying tournament, the Cork Harlequins player's double securing a 2-1 over the hosts in a training match in Johannesburg.
Sargent’s expertise from penalty corners proved more than useful to her team once again, her first goal coming on 19 minutes before she fired home the winner 43 seconds from time after Jade Mayne had levelled for South Africa.
It was an encouraging performance for coach Gene Muller, Aine Connery, captain Alex Speers and Lisa Jacob combining impressively to cause problems for the hosts’ defence, while Ireland’s own back four was solid and disciplined throughout and goalkeeper Pamela Smithwick was in good formwhen called upon.
“We performed well and stuck to the task, especially in defence,” he said. “We have had many close matches against South Africa in the past so this win was very satisfying for the team.”
Ireland play Belgium this evening in another warm-up match before their tri-nations tournament, in which they will play South Africa and Belgium twice, begins tomorrow.
Back home, first plays second in the game of the weekend in the Leinster Senior League division one, UCD taking on Railway Union at Park Avenue. A point behind and having played an extra game, Railway will make the title race an even tighter affair if they can inflict on the students their first league defeat of the season. Railway, too, are unbeaten in the campaign.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Tomorrow – Leinster Senior League, Division One: Railway Union v UCD, Park Avenue, 1pm; Loreto v Corinthian, Beaufort, 1pm; Hermes v Pembroke Wanderers, St Andrew’s, 3.15; Three Rock v Trinity, Grange Road, 3.15; Old Alexandra v Glenanne, Milltown, 4pm.
