Ireland won their second match of the Celtic Cup against France, beating them 1-0.
The Irish started off controlling the game right from the whistle and won their first penalty corner in the eight minute. Ireland were denied the goal when the French keeper saved an excellent McKeever strike.
Ireland continued to control possession but they just couldn’t break the French down and find a way through.
The Irish girls continued to keep the French keeper busy through to half time, with a reverse stick shot from Symmons and two consecutive penalty corners just before the whistle.
The second half saw the Irish continuing to dominate the match and were awarded penalty corners on the seventh and fourteenth minute - a low drag flick from Nikki Symmons was denied by the French keeper to keep the sides scoreless.
The French looked like they might score against the run of play when a break away chance came their way in the eighteenth minute but a great save by keeper Healy kept Ireland from falling behind.
Ireland continued to win penalty corners but they could not convert until Cregan was awarded a penalty stroke with four minutes remaining on the clock.
Symmons stepped up and slotted the ball high into the net giving the French keeper no chance and sealing an Irish victory.
Coach Muller, appeared satisfied with his team’s performance today, 'We defended better today than yesterday and that was the big difference between yesterday and today’s game. We created chances in both days but without much rhythm.'
'I am not overly concerned about how we played, sometimes the reality is that a team can sometimes struggle a little bit and I would like us to start playing with a little bit more rhythm.
'However, I am really happy that we won the game and I felt that we were better than the French today and delighted that that translated into a win,' he added.
Ireland will play hosts, Wales, tomorrow in their third and final Celtic cup match
The men's side managed to draw with France in their second Celtic Cup encounter.
The opening period was an even contest with both sides winning early penalty corners but neither making the breakthrough.
Ireland could have opened the scoring as Hobbs, who was only on the pitch seconds, almost connected at the back post in a difficult chance with the goal at his mercy.
French talisman Frederic Soyez forced David Harte into a good save on fourteen minutes and the French rebound went just over the bar.
Ireland’s best chance of the half was when Mike Watt hit the post from close range and the rebound just eluded Eugene Magee.
Shortly after this, France took the lead as Arneau Becuwe found a way through a packed circle and keeper Harte to score.
The French could have doubled their advantage as Soyez tore the Irish apart with neat play, but this time Harte was on hand to save well.
The second half was an even affair as both sides pushed forward, creating several penalty corners without success but the flow of the game was effected by a series of yellow cards.
Ireland went close in the fifty-sixth minute as Steve Butler saw his effort saved off the line.
Ireland’s luck changed with ninety seconds to go as a penalty corner variation saw Eugene Magee deflect home to level matters.
In the dying seconds Ireland found themselves with a two on two in the French circle but Mitch Darling and Eugene Magee could not convert the chance to seal an Irish victory.
The Irish will face France again in their crucial final group game in the European championships next month.
