Ireland 1-2 Russia

Ireland took to the field on a day that had a number of milestones attached to it; Munster’s John Jermyn won his 100th cap while Ireland as a country played in its 700th international hockey match since its debut on 26th January 1895 versus Wales in Rhyl.

It was Russia who were first out of the starting blocks, forcing Harte off his line in just the third minute of play to scramble the first save of the match.

Just a minute later Russia were testing the Irish defence once more when they secured the first penalty corner of the match, switching the ball back to the injector, keeping Harte and the rest of the defence on their toes as they cleared the attempt.

Ireland gained their first of five penalty corners in the tenth minute, but the Russian keeper dealt ably with the resulting drag flick.

Russia responded quickly on the break displaying fast flowing attacking play securing another penalty corner in the 13th minute, but their effort just grazed passed their attacker’s stick for the deflection.

The game ensued at a fast attacking pace, creating some exciting hockey for spectators, but neither side was able to deliver the killer pass to go one up before half time.

The second half opened with the Russians securing three consecutive penalty corners, but the Irish defence line, marshalled by Harte in goals, held strong to keep their clean sheet intact.

Both sides continued to create chances, but it was Ireland who finally broke the deadlock in the 50th minute of play when Eugene Magee weaved in to find space to fire a shot home and go 1-0 in front.

The Irish lead lasted just two minutes when lack of discipline in the Irish camp upgraded a Russian free hit to a penalty corner the result of which punished Ireland severely when Nilolay Yaakun dragged home to draw the sides level once again.

With only fifteen minutes left on the clock, both sides looked hungry for the winner, but Ireland were forced onto the back foot when Caruth saw yellow and was sent to the sin bin.

Ireland continued to concede corners, eight in total throughout the game, and with just five minutes to go Russia went ahead for the first time thanks to Alexander Korol’s drag low into the corner.

Ireland frantically searched for the equaliser and had a gilt-edged chance in the 68th minute, but John Jermyn’s attempt was palmed away but the Russian keeper.

Commenting after the game there was no hiding coach Revington’s disappointment: ‘This was a very disappointing result and performance. The timing of the performance was not good for us moving into the business end of the tournament. We will need to make some big individual and collective improvements before the next game.’

Ireland finish in second place (Pool A) behind Russia and will face the winners of Pool B this Thursday at 3pm in the semi-finals.

Starting XI: John JACKSON, Ronan GORMLEY (C), Stephen BUTLER, Joe BRENNAN, John JERMYN, Eugene MAGEE, Graham SHAW, David HOBBS, Tim COCKRAM, Tim LEWIS, David HARTE

Reserves (All Used): Peter Caruth; Geoff McCabe; Alan Giles; Mitch Darling; Conor Harte.