Irish Head Coach Dave Connoll weighs in on the team’s defeat against North Korea

Do you think you could have done something different to avoid the final result?

“Really, at the end of the day and we were up against a better team and the better team won. I think a lot of players will be very disappointed in the manner in which they gave the goals away. There is nothing we can do about it now, we just have to focus on our next game.”

You had a different aim at the start of the competition or are you happy with the results you achieved?

“Well, we came in as the last seat , so we were twelve seat when we came into the competition, so reaching semifinals has been an extremely encouraging result for us. As I said, we still have the game to play on Friday, and we still have a medal to play for. We have overachieved here, it has been a great campaign for us, but unfortunately we could not do it today.”

Do you think the organisation of the event was good, or were there some problems with it?

“No, I think it was very good. Organising an event such as this gives the girls, particulary those who play in the european championship, the opportunity to play against teams from other continents, like Brazil, South America, North Korea and China. All these matches have been great experiences for our girls, and I think the competition has been great.”