Congratulations again to the Ireland men’s hockey team who defeated England, 5th in the world, and won a bronze medal at the Eurohockey Championships for the first time ever!
The win also means Ireland finish 3 places above their seeded position in a tournament that has 4 of the worlds top 5 teams. Anytime Ireland face England, in any sport, it is always a passion-filled battle and today in London was to be no different.
It was England who got off to the better start and Harte was called into action early on. Martin got the score board ticking in the 11thminute as he was unmarked in front of Harte and flicked the ball goalward. But the Green Machine used the skill, discipline and passion that has been on display the entire tournament to get themselves back into the match. O’Donoghue, a constant threat, drag flicked Ireland back to 1-1 2 minutes later.
England used their numbers advantage, after a Caruth yellow card, to earn themselves a penalty corner in the 23rd minute. Jackson dragged it low and hard, and the waiting Dixon deflected it on goal to make it 2-1. But again maturity and commitment came to the forefront for the men in green as they defended stoically. Just before the half a creative PC routine saw Magee spin around the defender and set Southern up to dink the ball past Pinner. 2-2 and game on at half time.
It was the ever-present figure of Magee that fired Ireland into the lead. His drag flick went straight through the number one runner and left Pinner with no chance. Ireland’s defense came under waves of attack, no fewer than 29 circle entries by the English, but every member of the Green Machine put their body on the line to keep the ball out of Harte’s goal. Throughout the tournament the Irish attack has been clinical and today was no different.
After holding out another English attempt on goal, Shimmins broke free but was barged off the ball by Lewers and won a penalty stroke. Goalie Pinner had already been taken off as England attempted to draw the match so Mark Gleghorne, brother to Irish man of the match Paul, was the stand in goalie and could only watch as O’Donoghue’s pin point shot went in.
The match finished 4-2 to Ireland, an accurate reflection of the passion, commitment and hard work this Irish team has displayed, not just today, but for quite some time. Speaking after the final whistle Fulton said “ A great result today for the performance we have put in this past week. To all the management team and players…we made history, well done! I know there is more to come”.
Team: Harte (Captain), Jackson, Gormley, Magee, Shimmins, O’Donoghue, Darling, Good, Burton, Gleghorne, Harte.
Bench: Cargo, Sothern, Caruth, Robson, Watt, Bell, Fitzgerald.
