Ireland 5-1 Ukraine
Ireland's men got their Olympic qualification tilt off to a perfect start with a 5-1 hammering of Ukraine in Valencia, Spain.
The victors dominated possession early on though had to wait until the 25th minute to open the scoring, Ben Johnson rattling home from a penalty corner. Monkstown's Lee Cole doubled the lead four minutes later, following some good approach play involving man of the match Daragh Walsh.
Ukraine pulled one back immediately, drag flicker Viacheslav Paziuk converting at the penalty corner. Emboldened, the Ukrainians started the third quarter strongly, forcing a procession of long corners which Ireland successfully repelled.
After a goaless third quarter, the Irish side ran riot in the fourth. After a neat zig-zagging move involving Johnson and Jeremy Duncan, Ireland were awarded a penalty corner. The Ukranians disputed the call, using a referral, but the video umpire endorsed the original call.
They lost the referral and promptly fell 3-1 behind, Cole drilling home his second from the resultant penalty corner.
Duncan, entering the centurion club with his 100th cap, capped a memorable evening to make it 4-1 with his 20th international goal.
Walsh put a further gloss on the scoreline, capping a fine personal performance to make it 5-1.
Duncan, who described his 100th cap as a "proud day for my family", swiftly turned his attention to the challenge of World No. 2 Belgium on Monday.
"It's going to be a tough task, as will be the final group game against Japan. If we can keep a clean sheet against Belgium [as our women did] we'll be in a very good place."
Earlier in Group A, favourites Belgium gave notice of their credentials with a thumping 7-0 win over Japan, hitting top spot on goal difference.
Ireland: David Harte, Tim Cross, Shane O'Donoghue, Luke Madeley, John McKee, Matthew Nelson, Peter McKibbin, Sean Murray (C), Jeremy Duncan, Michael Robson, Nicholas Page
Subs used: Ben Johnson , Lee Cole, Kyle Marshall, Jonathan Lynch, Darragh Walsh, Sam Hyland
Ukraine: Roman Bludov, Mykhailo Yasinskyi , Viacheslav Paziuk, Dmytro Luppa (C), Vitalii Shevchuk, Maksym Onofriiuk, Bohdan Kovalenko, Andrii Koshlenko, Olksandr Solomianyi, Oleksandr Boiko, Volodymyr Kaplinskyi
Subs used: Bohdan Tovstolytkin (GK), Dmytro Hrubyi, Iurii Moroz, Oleksii Popov, Volodymyr Zhmereniuk, Volodymy Kostechko, Oleksandr Yasinskyi
