Ireland 2-4 Pakistan
The men's game was played in front of a packed stadium, Ireland and Pakistan entertained the crowd with end to end fast-paced hockey.
Ireland opened in attacking style with the first originating from captain Gormley’s aerial which found Magee up front to strike on the reverse but the keeper kept the first shot at bay.
Ireland didn’t have to wait long for a reward. 21-year old Tim Lewis found himself on the end of two rebounds before he slotted the third home, showing great skill and reactions for a one nil lead.
Only two minutes later Ireland earned their first penalty corner and a drag from Tim Cockram doubled his side’s lead.
End to end hockey ensued and an on-form David Harte pulled of some top saves in the 12th and 15th minute.
Pakistan’s persistence paid off finally in the 18th minute when Waqas found himself with space for the shot to the top of the corner.
A minute later they found their equaliser when Butt Rehan converted his open play chance for a 2-2 scoreline at half time.
Both sides continued to display superb skill, pace and determination as the ball moved from end-to-end.
Ireland had a superb chance to take the lead when a free-in found Butler but his deft deflection just skimmed the side of the post. Pakistan was awarded a stroke in the 20th minute of the half but Saqlain put his attempt wide to the relief of the Irish.
Ireland found themselves trailing with only five minutes to go when Akbar converted his penalty corner for a 3-2 lead, which Ireland responded to by pushing forward in search of an equalizer.
But the resulting gap at the back left Saqlain with space to squeeze in another goal with just ten seconds on the clock.
Commenting after the match was coach Dave Passmore said: ‘I was reasonably pleased with sixty minutes.
'We said we would play a more open and aggressive style of hockey, but we need to realise when Pakistan are on a role to close up shop and retain possession until we regain the initiative once again.’
Ireland 1-3 South Africa
Ireland’s women opened their Setanta Sports Trophy campaign against Beijing bound South Africa with a 3-1 defeat.
This was a special night for on form Mary Goode who earned her 50th cap and also for Christine Quinlan who put in a fine performance for her first cap.
South Africa opened their account early on with their second penalty corner which Kate Hector drag flicked home for a 1-0 lead.
In the 20th minute the visitors’ dominance shone and a reverse stick shot from the top left of the circle met a deflection on the post from Henriette Du Buisson to double her team’s lead.
The break served Ireland well and they came out looking more likely to score and had the first chance of the second half.
Eimear Cregan fed a great ball through to McKean who thread the ball through to the circle but without an Irish stick to connect for the finish.
Ireland were punished for leaving themselves open at the back and some swift South African passing left them with a direct shot which Henriette Du Buisson finished well to go 3-0 lead.
Ireland clawed a goal back in the 67th minute. They converted their fourth penalty corner of the game when Louisa Moore drag flicked for a Cregan conversion.
In the dying minutes Ireland were unlucky not to pull in another goal but the sound of the final whistle came a bit too soon for the home side.
Commenting after the match was coach Gene Muller:
‘I was not happy with our first 35 minutes of play I felt we were too reactive to the play.
'However, I felt there was improvement with our second half which saw us compete more. We played a young mid and back field tonight who are a little inexperienced as we were missing Ciara O’Brien and we moved McCay up front.’
