Canada 21-8 Ireland: Irish coach Bemand rues first-half blows in WVX1 defeat
After their shock victory over world champions New Zealand a week ago, Ireland started the game in promising fashion by producing early pressure.
However, they failed to turn their early territorial superiority into points and Bemand said the match video analysis will focus on that.
“We had opportunities in that game that we’ll look pretty hard at. We convert a couple of those opportunities in the first half and we’re right in that game.
“A couple of loose decisions and breakdown decisions that have cost us with penalties, which have given Canada their ‘in’ and suddenly you’re three tries down.”
Enya Breen, captaining the side in Edel McMahon’s injury-enforced absence, hailed the “fight” displayed by the team despite the defeat.
“Obviously a few key moments didn’t go our way in the first half and we found ourselves fighting from behind early. I’m hugely proud of the fight the girls showed,” said the Ireland skipper.
Ireland will complete their tournament with next weekend’s contest against USA and Breen insisted the team will take momentum into that game despite Saturday’s loss.
“Today doesn’t change that. We keep going next week and we keep building.”
