Ireland 1-2 England
Ireland were narrowly edged out by England at the EuroHockey Championships, as the favourites came from behind for a 2-1 quarter-final victory.
England started the stronger of the two sides and looked dangerous with pacey interchanges.
Ian Sloan, David Condon and Adam Dixon all found their way into the circle but Paul Gleghorne and Conor Harte were on hand to sweep up any danger.
However, it was Ireland who proved more efficient as they converted their first penalty corner of the game. Harte’s sweep was deflected past George Pinner by Matthew Nelson to give his side the lead in the 13th minute.
A second penalty corner failed to yield the same return minutes later as the miss-trapped ball made its way to Sean Murray who’s shot was batted away.
England won their first penalty corner as Sam Ward spotted a back stick from Harte but his resulting drag flick drew a fine double save from David Harte to keep Ireland in the lead going into half time.
England came out of the blocks at half time at blistering pace and David Goodfield smashed the ball in from close range after just two minutes of the second half.
Ireland continued to forced on the back foot and Ward’s drag flick was well saved before he threatened again, losing his marker only to blast the ball over the crossbar.
Ireland were down to nine men for a short period as Kirk Shimmins picked up a green card while Shane O’Donoghue landed himself with a 10-minute yellow for appearing to lash out at David Ames.
England controlled phases due to the man-advantage and the Irish defence finally cracked in the 44th minute when Ward bundled the ball into the goal following a run along the baseline from Sloan.
Harte made another superb save as Condon appeared in on goal but was denied by the Irish captain.
Ireland began to put some passes together and began to trouble the English who were sitting with all their players well inside their own half.
O’Donoghue’s penalty corner drag drew a fine high glove save from Pinner, and despite Johnny Bell coming on as kicking back, the Irish couldn’t force the equaliser in the dying minutes.
Ireland now move into the fifth-eighth place pool and are next in action on Friday (August 25) against either Spain or Austria at 1:45pm, with the fixture to be shown live on BT Sport.
Ireland women’s hockey team begin their fifth-eighth place pool against Czech Republic tomorrow (August 24) at 11:30am, also shown live on BT Sport.
Ireland: D Harte, J Jackson, M Bell, A Sothern, N Glassey, K Shimmins, S O’Donoghue, M Robson, P Gleghorne, C Harte, S Loughrey
Subs: J Bell (Captain), M Nelson, S Murray, B Walker, D Walsh, L Cole, M Ingram
England: G Pinner, D Ames, M Hoare, S Ward, P Roper (Captain), A Dixon, B Middleton, B Creed, D Condon, C Griffiths, L Sandford
Subs: H Gibson, O Willars, H Weir, H Martin, I Sloan, M Gleghorne, D Goodfield
