The tie had already been delayed by half an hour as a pre-game hailstorm made the warm-up impossible and, with Ireland flying back home later in the day, the second downpour meant any further thoughts of finishing the tie were off the agenda (picture courtesy of Hockey IPT).

In the 35 minutes played, Belgium drew the first saves as Emma Gray made one stop while Lieselotte van Lindt Alix Gernier’s tame corner shots were comfortably cleared.

Lisa Jacob drew a good save from Nadine Khouzam as the volume of water made play slow and sticky. Belgium hit the front from their third corner in the 18th minute when Sofie Gierts hit home corner.

As the thunder began to rumble near the ground, Ireland got level as Nikki Evans got on the end of a pass in the D in the 29th minute to level matters with a fine reverse-stick effort before the heavens opened once more.

In doing so, Evans became Ireland’s first forward to score since Aine Connery netted against India before Christmas. It was also the only goal from play of this tour after Cliodhna Sargent clattered home two corners and Michelle Harvey flicked in another.

On the six game trip, results yielded a 2-1 win over South Africa, three 1-0 losses and a 1-1 draw, also against the hosts to go with this abandoned result. Next on the agenda for Ireland is a three-day training camp in Beerschot on February 25 before the Olympic qualifier begins on St Patrick’s Day.

Ireland: Emma Gray, Nikki Symmons, Sinead McCarthy, Cliodhna Sargent, Audrey O’Flynn, Lizzie Colvin, Emma Smyth, Nicci Daly, Aine Connery, Lisa Jacob, Megan Frazer
Subs: Michelle Harvey, Miriam Crowley, Nikki Evans, Chloe Watkins, Emma Clarke

Injury to his central panel was a rarity in 2011 but leaves the Irish boss with a string of concerns ahead of next month’s Olympic qualifiers in Dublin. Drag-flick expert John Jermyn is one such worry while skipper Ronan Gormley, who suffered a knee injury in the series against the Netherlands, have both been rested for the Valencia trip as a result.

With David Cole also out due to his broken shoulder, sustained in a school’s match a day after returning to Ireland from the initial Spain trip, it leaves spaces for a couple of defenders in the panel.

To that end, Richard Sykes and Brian Doherty both fit the bill as defenders with corner skills to fill the gap while utility man Bruce McCandless is available after injury and has the edge in experience. On the goalkeeping front, Ian Hughes steps out with Stephen West moving up as number three keeper following Iain Walker’s shoulder surgery last week.

Centurion Phelie Maguire has been added to the panel as part of a half-dozen players taking the place of a quartet of the Alicante selection for the latest 26 player panel.

On the trip, Ireland will play five matches against sides ranked higher in the world; Spain twice (world number five) and Belgium three times (eleventh).

Electric Ireland, meanwhile, were unveiled on Monday as the title sponsor of the FIH Olympic Qualifying Tournament – the only direct Olympic Qualifying tournament taking place in Ireland across any discipline.

Electric Ireland have been long term supporters of the national women’s hockey team and Chief Executive of the Irish Hockey Association, Angus Kirkland, was thrilled about the increased association.

“The fact that they are now extending their involvement with Hockey and their recent sponsorship of Team Ireland for the Olympics is testament to their commitment to sport. We are looking forward to staging this prestigious event with Electric Ireland at our side and both our National sides, are working hard towards their goal of qualifying for the London Games and to be a part of Team Ireland this summer.”

Ireland (Valencia, February 4-13): David Ames (Beeston), Jonny Bell (Lisnagarvey), Peter Blakeney (Three Rock Rovers), Chris Cargo (Reading), Peter Caruth (Annadale), Tim Cockram (Lisnagarvey), Mitch Darling (SCHC), Brian Doherty (Beerschot), David Fitzgerald (Monkstown), Paul Gleghorne (Instonians), Conor Harte (SCHC), David Harte (SCHC), John Jackson (Braxgata), Stuart Loughrey (Loughborough Students), Jason Lynch (Royal Racing Club Brussels), Eugene Magee (Dragons), Phelie Maguire (Hurley), Geoff McCabe (R.S. Tenis), Bruce McCandless (Banbridge), Andy McConnell (Hurley), Shane O’Donoghue (UCD), Ian Sloan (Cookstown), Richard Sykes (Monkstown), Gareth Watkins (Monkstown), Michael Watt (R.S. Tenis), Stephen West (Three Rock Rovers)

Match schedule:
February 6: Ireland v Spain, 12pm
February 8: Ireland v Belgium, 12pm
February 9: Ireland v Belgium, 12pm
February 12: Ireland v Belgium, 4pm
February 13: Ireland v Spain, 12pm

** Match schedule may be subject to change

Ireland were denied their first win of the Investec Tri-Nations series as Nicolene Terblanche’s goal five minutes from time cancelled out Michelle Harvey’s early opening goal.

A lively opening saw Audrey O’Flynn’s drag flick blocked down while Emma Gray was also called into duty early on with a double save from Jade Mayne before Ireland capitalised when South Africa were reduced to ten.

Kathleen Taylor was shown green and, from the resulting penalty corner, Harvey showed her drag-flicking ability when she rattled the back board to give Ireland a 1-0 lead.

It was an advantage which they held until the break despite strong South African pressure. They also kept out a corner early in the second half while Lisa Jacob, on the counter, caused a number of problems, too.

The play ensued between the two 25s with both midfields keeping very busy but it was the hosts who got the next real chance, forcing Gray into a superb stick save from Marsha Marescia’s shot.

But South Africa’s persistence finally paid off with just five left on the clock thanks to Tarryn Bright’s long pass picking out Nicolene Terblance who found space to level the sides.

Commenting after the game, Irish head coach Gene Muller said: “It was a solid defensive performance and we were dangerous in attack. These matches have been good for us, challenging all the way and ideal for our Olympic Qualifier preparations”

Ireland have one final match in this series which takes place on Thursday, February 2 at 3pm (Irish Time) in Randburg against Belgium.

Ireland: Emma Gray, Nikki Symmons, Sinead McCarthy, Cliodhna Sargent, Audrey O’Flynn, Lizzie Colvin, Emma Smyth, Nicci Daly, Aine Connery, Lisa Jacob, Nikki Evans
Subs: Michelle Harvey, Miriam Crowley, Megan Frazer, Chloe Watkins, Emma Clarke

They started off in decent fashion, winning an early corner while Emma Smyth struck the outside of the goal before Belgium picked up some momentum and they hit the front in the 17th minute when Gierts gobbled up a rebound created by Jill Boon’s initial shot.

Again, sin-binnings were a regular feature as Emilie Sinia and Shirley McCay both took time out before Anne-Sofie van Regemortel collided with Nikki Evans to make it ten on ten at half-time.

Audrey O’Flynn clattered the bar with a corner 40 seconds into the second half as Ireland began to turn the screw with plenty of possession in spite of Nicci Daly taking a yellow for a dodgy tackle.

Belgium managed to find some rhythm going into the final quarter, forcing an Irish defence, in particular Sinead McCarthy, to put in some fine tackles while they celebrated a second goal but both umpires pointed for a long corner instead.

It leaves Ireland without a point from their two games in the Tri-Nations competition to date but can bounce back against South Africa on Tuesday, tipping off at 5pm Irish time.

Ireland: Emma Gray, Nikki Symmons, Sinead McCarthy, Cliodhna Sargent, Audrey O’Flynn, Emma Smyth, Lizzie Colvin, Shirley McCay, Megan Frazer, Alex Speers (c), Nikki Evans.
Subs: Nicci Daly, Chloe Watkins, Lisa Jacob, Michelle Harvey, Miriam Crowley

** Report with words from Jonathan Cook in Randburg; photo from Gallo Images/Duif du Toit

World record goalscorer Pietie Coetzee nailed a penalty corner drag-flick past the outstanding Emma Gray in the seventh minute to clinch the opening Investec Tri-Nations Series match 1-0 at Randburg Hockey Stadium yesterday.

It brought her tally to 231 goals in 234 matches but she was left disappointed as she could not make further use of another seven corners while South Africa’s day was also tempered by injury to Tarryn Bright in the sixth minute after Coetzee’s first corner drag-flick deflected off the post into the centre midfielder’s face.

With both sides making too many unforced errors, it was not a great test match while the half-time watering of the pitch made life difficult for the players as areas of the surface didn’t drain efficiently amid plenty of rain. Ireland’s best chance came in the dying moments of the first half after great cross from Emma Clarke just evaded the diving Aine Connery.

Nicolene Terblanche at right half was a constant headache for Ireland’s left-side defence and she was one of the few who can look back on this match with satisfaction. Jade Mayne and a number of others did have their moments but overall the performance was inconsistent.

SA defended well at times as Lisa Jacob and Shirley McCay and company made dangerous counter-attacks but the Irish will not look back on this match with much fondness either.

Ireland had their first corner of the game in the 57th minute but Sargent’s strike was well saved. They forced another in the 61st minute but a mistrap saw the chance go a begging.

After the game, though, Irish coach Gene Muller was pleased with some aspects of his side’s performance: “we improved from last night’s performance; we were defensively very good and created some quality chances it was a tight and physically demanding match.”

In the series’ second game, South Africa were leading 1-0 against Belgium before a rainstorm saw the game cancelled early in the second half. Next up for Ireland is a date with Belgium on Monday at 5pm, Irish time.

Ireland: Emma Gray (GK), Nikki Symmons, Cliodhna Sargent, Sinead McCarthy, Audrey O’Flynn, Emma Smyth, Emma Clarke, Lizzie Colvin, Lisa Jacob, Alex Speers, Aine Connery
Subs: Miriam Crowley, Chloe Watkins, Nicci Daly, Michelle Harvey, Shirley McCay

Gaining the upper hand seemed on the mind in a very physical and competitive challenge match with a flurry of cards as no quarter was given.

De Groof, on her 50th cap, broke the deadlock in the 11th minute, her low corner shot finding the backboard for 1-0. With Valerie Vermeersch in the bin, Ireland looked to respond quickly, earning a corner with the numerical advantage but Audrey O’Flynn’s low drag flick was pushed wide by a diving Aisling De Hooghe.

O’Flynn pushed another corner just wide before Alix Gerniers and Helene Delmee combined to win a penalty stroke in the 26th minute. Louisa Healy produced a brilliant save, though, to deny de Groof’s shot from the spot. Lieselotte van Lindt was next in the bin for a foul on Emma Smyth while Anouk Raes’ corner hit brought up half-time.

Another stroke was awarded against Ireland but was subsequently over-turned in favour of a long corner while O’Flynn’s corner shots looked Ireland’s most dangerous weapon, two quickfire efforts were denied by De Hooghe. The game continued in a fast paced, exciting manner but, despite the entertaining hockey and high skill level, the second half yielded no goals.

Ireland begin the triangular series on Saturday (12pm, Irish time) against the host nation South Africa, hoping to replicate their 1-0 victory of two days ago. The tournament runs until February with each side – including Belgium – meeting each other twice.

** For live twitter updates throughout the Triangular tournament, check out https://twitter.com/#!/HockeyIPT for extensive minute-by-minute coverage

Ireland: Louisa Healy, Nikki Symmons, Sinead McCarthy, Cliodhna Sargent, Audrey O’Flynn, Nicci Daly, Emma Clarke, Lizzie Colvin, Aine Connery, Chloe Watkins, Lisa Jacob.
Subs: Pamela Smithwick, Shirley McCay, Emma Smyth, Miriam Crowley, Megan Frazer

Investec Triangular Series, Randburg, South Africa (all Irish time)
January 28: Ireland v South Africa, 12pm
January 29: Belgium v South Africa, 12pm
January 30: Ireland v Belgium, 5pm
January 31: Ireland v South Africa, 5pm
February 1: South Africa v Belgium, 5pm
February 2: Ireland v Belgium, 5pm

That would have earned them a winner on game one but this time Timmy Cockram’s second of the game garnered a tie against a side using many of England’s world ranked number four selection.

GB opened the scoring in the second minute when Barry Middleton tapped in at the back post from a by-line ball but Ireland managed to level seven minutes later with a Cockram drag flick. The game was evenly contested throughout the remainder of the first half and was fairly reflected in the 1-1 score at half time.

In the 41st minute, Britain took the lead again from another corner, this time dragged home by Simon Mantell. Ireland piled on the pressure and were awarded a number of short corners but failed to take their opportunities until after the final hooter.

David Fitzgerald stepped in between the posts for David Harte for this tie while Ronan Gormley and Eugene Magee were both rested while Geoff McCabe came back in to midfield, too.

Ireland: David Fitzgerald, John Jackson, Paul Gleghorne, Conor Harte, Stuart Loughrey, Andy McConnell, David Ames, Geoff McCabe, Michael Watt, Mitch Darling, Timmy Cockram
Subs: Johnny Bell, Chris Cargo, Ian Sloan, Peter Caruth, Gareth Watkins, Shane O’Donoghue

He opened the scoring in the 12th minute after a swift counter attack and good combination work in the circle. Ireland featured Ian Sloan for the first time in 2012 while Geoff McCabe (shin) and David Cole (broken shoulder bone) were out through injury, the former likely to return in the coming days. Jonathon Bell also had his first taste of senior international hockey.

They held good swathes of possession while both sides continued to have chances and corners but neither side realised their opportunities until the second half.

GB got the goal in the 38th minute but Paul Revington’s side had the chance to nick a morale-boosting win in the final seconds when Ireland won two corners on the final hooter. Both were shut out to leave the tie level ahead of tomorrow’s second training game at 11am on Friday morning.

Ireland: David Harte; John Jackson; Ronan Gormley; Paul Gleghorne; Conor Harte; Eugene Magee; Andy McConnell; Chris Cargo; Michael Watt; Mitch Darling; David Ames
Subs: Stuart Loughrey; Jonathon Bell; Ian Sloan; Peter Caruth; Timmy Cockram; Gareth Watkins; Shane O’Donoghue

After just 20 seconds a Dirkie Chamberlain deflection off Marescia’s accurate free-hit brought a sharp save from Pamela Smithwick. In the 11th minute Ireland missed a great chance after a lapse in the SA defence.

Intelligent running into space and pinpoint passing saw Aine Connery, captain Alexandra Speers and Lisa Jacob combine beautifully at times and Ireland’s industry was eventually rewarded with Sargent’s goal from the match’s second penalty corner, which was only awarded on consultation between home umpire Annelize Rostron and Irish colleague Liz Clifford.

SA hit back immediately when the pressured Irish defence conceded a corner and Kim Hubach’s accurate flick was popped in off the pads by Mayne. The hosts tried the same slip-pass left of the castle with their second corner but the Irish side were wise to the move.

Three minutes after the break, Connery got in a crisp shot on the turn and four minutes later Audrey O’Flynn induced a stunning stick save from Sanani Mangisa, low to her right from Ireland’s third corner. Soon after, a marvellous run by Marsha Marescia set up Celia Evans but her shot was again blocked by Smithwick.

The action was intensely competitive with play transferring from one end of the pitch to the other in an instant and midway through the second half, Kathleen Taylor worked some magic up the right flank to earn SA’s third corner, Smithwick blocking a Lisa Deetlefs effort.

Ireland were forced to defend desperately at times, Emma Smyth sin-binned with seven minutes to go, as SA went in search of the lead but it was much the same at the other end with the odd goalmouth melee requiring scrambled defence, but with 43 seconds left Ireland’s industry paid off when Sargent smashed home her team’s fourth corner for the 2-1 victory.

Speaking about the tie, Gene Muller was pleased with his first victory over his native country: “This was a good start to our South African tour we performed well and stuck to the task especially in defence. We have had many close matches against South Africa in the past so this win was very satisfying for the team.”

Ireland face Belgium next up on Friday afternoon before beginning their Tri-Nations tournament a day later against South Africa once more.

Ireland: Pamela Smithwick (GK), Michelle Harvey, Cliodhna Sargent, Sinead McCarthy, Audrey O’Flynn, Emma Smyth, Emma Clarke, Shirley McCay, Lisa Jacob, Alex Speers, Aine Connery
Subs: Louisa Healy (GK), Miriam Crowley, Megan Frazer, Chloe Watkins, Lizzie Colvin

** Words courtesy of Jonathan Cook; pictures from Duif du Toit/Gallo Images

Ireland pushed hard in the closing ten minutes for a leveller after Chris Cargo had reduced the margin to the minimum with chances to equalise.

But the Dutch had the details in their favour and closed out the tie in the 67th minute when Valentin Verga notched his second of the series to complete a 3-1 win.

Sander de Wijn’s corner variation and a Roderick Weusthof strike around the 20th minute made it 2-0 after an even opening but the Irish upped their game in the second period.

Reading man Cargo finished off a swift counter to pull one back but Verga had the last say in this series as the Dutch head for 22 days in Australia while Ireland go to Bisham Abbey for two games against Great Britain on Thursday and Friday. A short hop back to Ireland next weekend precedes a flight back out to Valencia to take on Spain and Belgium.

Paul Revington made two switches for this third tie, bringing in Shane O’Donoghue and Dave Fitzgerald – the latter for his first game time of the tour – in place of Gareth Watkins and Jason Lynch.

Ireland: David Harte, John Jackson, Ronan Gormley (c), Paul Gleghorne, Conor Harte, Eugene Magee, David Ames, Michael Watt, Chris Cargo, Mitch Darling, Geoff McCabe.
Subs: Stuart Loughrey, David Cole, Shane O’Donoghue, Andy McConnell, Peter Caruth, Timmy Cockram, David Fitzgerald