Bittersweet day as Brown tastes defeat on her 50th Irish cap

ARDS striker Chloe Brown earned her 50th international cap yesterday but ended up on the losing side as Ireland went down 4-2 against Belgium in the Tri-Nations tournament in Spain.

However, it was an encouraging display from the largely youthful Irish squad, who pushed the European silver medallists all the way only to concede two late goals after coming from behind to lead 2-1.

The Belgians broke the deadlock in the second quarter when Alix Gerniers converted a re- bound after Yvonne O’Byrne had saved the initial set-piece shot.

Four minutes into the second half, Ireland equalised when, after swapping passes with Ulster’s Zoe Wilson, Lena Tice shot high into the net following a penalty corner.

Two minutes from the end of the third period, Nikki Evans celebrated her 150th cap by making it 2-1 when she sent a powerful backhand shot low into the net from an acute angle.

However, Ireland’s lead proved to be short-lived as Joanne Peeters dragged a penalty corner high to the Irish keeper Emma Buckley’s right just two minutes later for the equaliser.

Belgium clinched their win with two goals in the final quarter, Stephanie Vanden Borre converting another set-piece three minutes in before Louise Versavel wrapped things up with a fourth shortly afterwards.

Tomorrow, Graham Shaw’s girls take on Spain — who they lost to on Tuesday — at 10.45am.

Meanwhile, Sullivan Upper came from behind to beat holders Banbridge Academy 2-1 yesterday afternoon at Stormont and book a place in next week’s McCullough Cup final.

The Holywood school went behind to an Eddie Rowe dragflick penalty corner in the 33rd minute.

However, they did come close to squaring matters with Sonny Erskine, Paddy Crookshanks and Callum Carson all denied by the in-form Banbridge goalkeeper Luke Roleston.

But Sullivan stepped up a gear in the second period and they turned the game around to clinch a place in next week’s decider.

It was Matthew Willis who levelled in the 48th minute before Fergus Gibson got the winner with a deflection high into the net from a penalty corner with just 11 minutes to go.

The Academy almost equalised when Mark McCullough’s fine effort was turned round the post by Sullivan goalkeeper Tom McCord.

Sullivan now await the winners of the second semi-final between Friends’ School Lisburn and Methodist College Belfast, who meet tomorrow at Friends’ (3.30pm).

Methody, meanwhile, beat Cookstown High to finish Pool B runners-up ahead of Wallace High.

The McCullough Cup decider is scheduled for Wednesday, December 6 at Lisnagarvey’s Comber Road ground (2pm). Mixed emotions: Chloe Brown won 50th cap but Ireland lost