JUST three goals in the difference were all it took last weekend when Ireland beat Ecuador in a lively international test match at Polo Wicklow.

Playing for Ecuador, Pat Fitzsimons and Marco Herbst were reeled in by Siobhan Herbst (captain) and Colm Kelleher, each team with four goals. Second chukka play was fast and furious in a pure crowd-pleaser of a match. The match was won by Ireland after four closely contested chukkas on a score of 13 goals to 10 from Ecuador, with victory coming in the last two minutes for the Irish side in a match that could have gone either way.

The ‘friendly’ test match was preceded by lunch in the arena clubhouse from Tinakilly Country House Hotel, and was followed with watching Ireland win their Six Nations challenge against France at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.