Hockey - Experimental Ireland earn share of spoils

Irish senior men's hockey star Shane O'Donoghue

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February 11 2015 01:20 AM

An experimental Irish hockey team earned a commendable draw with France at Grange Road last night.

Coach Craig Fulton rested most of his San Diego-bound squad for the game.

With the rigours of Olympic qualification in mind, four debutants were included in the home line-up, and the newcomers quickly made themselves at home against a full-strength French team.

However, it was an established player who put Ireland ahead shortly before half- time.

Belgium-based Shane O'Donoghue (left) potted a penalty corner with a low flick.

The lead held good for 20 minutes before Jean-Laurent Kieffer scrambled home an equaliser past new cap goalkeeper Jamie Carr.

A more familiar green machine is expected to take the pitch tomorrow and again on Friday at the same venue.

IRELAND - S West, J Bell, L Cole, M Bell, S Cole, M Robson, K Good, J Bruton, P Gleghorne, D Carson, S O'Donoghue. Subs: S Brownlow, M Elliott, J Lorimer, L Chadwick, O Magee, P Brown, J Carr.