John Jermyn is challenged by France's Charles Verrier

French captain Frederic Soyez scored the only goal in the second half of a game which saw Ireland hit the crossbar and have a shot cleared off the line.

The result means Ireland will carry no points through to Pool C.

This pool decides the fifth to eighth placings and who is relegated to the EuroHockey Nations Trophy for 2009.

There was drama in the last 10 minutes with France receiving four yellow cards in their desperate bid to hold on to the lead.

John Jermyn crashed a shot against the bar as Ireland pressed in vain for the equaliser.

"We were tentative and nervous and didn't deliver our game plan as we did in our previous two games," said Irish coach David Passmore.

"The players regrettably lost their composure when the French players were sent off and started running with the ball rather than passing it and creating the two-on-ones we needed to expose the player advantage.

"We now must win our final two games to stay in this division (Championship), but we can compete against any of the teams we will face."

Ireland's first Pool C match is on Friday with their final game on Sunday.