Ireland 1-1 India
With only one world ranking place separating Ireland and India this was always likely to be an evenly contested Tri Nations series clash in Alicante.
The Green Army welcomed back Lizzie Colvin and Shirley McCay to the fray for the first time since their historic World Cup final and Colvin was quick to make an impact in midfield; pulling defenders away to create space before releasing passes to the wings.
India won an early penalty corner and netted a goal in the opening quarter, but it was rightly disallowed after hitting an Indian foot.
Recently capped Serena Barr was distributing the ball with ease in the Irish midfield while Hannah Matthews was on hand to dispossess the Indian attackers as they opted for the direct route. But it was the Indians who broke the deadlock through a powerful penalty corner drag flick from Gurjit Kaur on the half hour.
Katie Mullan led the chase as Ireland searched for an equaliser with a powerful pass across the face of goal, but Aisling Naughton’s deflection went just wide of Rani’s goal.
But Ireland were level before long.
Matthews was pulling the strings in the backline and sent a pinpoint pass to Ali Meeke who calmly found Sarah Hawkshaw in front of goal for the equaliser.
The experienced Indian side tested Emma Buckley on several occasions but the Racing keeper frustrated the strikers with several fine saves.
Ireland had the opportunity to put the game to bed in the final moments from a penalty corner won by Anna O’Flanagan following a great team move from Sinead Loughran, Hawkshaw and Leah McGuire but the eventual effort was cleared and the sides shared the spoils in an even contest.
Starting: E Buckley, R Upton, C Brown, K Mullan, S Loughran, H McLoughlin, L Colvin, H Matthews, S Hawkshaw, A O’Flanagan, E Curran,
Subs: E Murphy, A Naughton, S McCay, S Barr, D Duke, A Meeke, L McGuire
