Irish men look to take down France in Euro qualifiers

Jonny Lynch, Luke Witherow, Callum Robson and Nick Page will make their ranking tournament debuts as Ireland’s men begin their EuroHockey Championship qualifiers in Calais on Wednesday with a first ever meeting with Lithuania (world ranked 61st).

 

A day later, they come up against hosts France (ranked 11th) in what looks to be the vital contest before finishing off the campaign on Saturday with another first encounter, this time against 40th ranked Turkey.

 

The tournament is their main event this summer following a wealth of test matches as Mark Tumilty sought to expand the experience and knowledge base of the panel for a tilt at Paris 2024 and beyond.

 

Lynch comes in for his first main event having missed last year’s Euros due to a Covid close contact ping. He was excellent as Under-21 captain in their run to Junior Championship II gold in the Czech Republic last month and so earns his place in the senior side.

 

Page will take up one of the midfield slots with Callum Robson up front and Luke Witherow hoping to bring some of his charges down the flanks which have been a feature this summer.

 

Otherwise, it features 12 of the side who played in last October’s World Cup qualifiers with Mark McNellis and Kevin O’Dea returning having played in 2021’s Euro B division.

 

This tournament will have an impact with Ireland’s placing at next summer’s different levels of European competition having a knock-on effect on where they will be placed in the pecking order for the subsequent Olympic qualifiers.

 

As such, the one ticket to the top tier of European Championships next summer for the winner from this four-team round-robin will almost certainly get Ireland into that mix.

 

Second and third place this week will contest the “B division” in 2023 which – on current rankings – is touch and go as to whether it will offer some tickets to the Olympic qualifiers. As such, there is a lot of importance on winning the tournament outright.

 

Facing France, though, is one of the hardest draws they could have picked up. The Green Machine have lost just once in the last 15 meetings dating back to 2015 but there has been a stark divergence in the two programs since the Covid pandemic.

 

With their place at the Olympics already confirmed, they have gone full-time. It allowed them to take up a short-notice entry to the FIH Pro League which they shone, picking up results against the Netherlands, India and Argentina.

 

“It will be a big ask with the prep they have had toward Paris 2024, especially in the Pro League this year,” said coach Mark Tumilty of the challenge they pose.

 

“But this group is in a good place to give them a good game. Turkey and Lithuania offer challenges as well and we need to be delivering good performances in those games as well.”

 

From Ireland’s perspective, being outside the Pro League, they have had to make do with games from sides further down the scale and have amassed wins over lower-ranked Chile, Austria, USA, Wales, Scotland and Italy.

 

They have done so while bedding in new faces with eight of this panel making their debut within the past 12 months as several retired following the Tokyo Olympic cycle and star men like David and Conor Harte and Shane O’Donoghue take a break from the international arena.

 

“We need to be challenged now against the nations above us,” Tumilty added. “We definitely learned a lot from games against Spain [in June] and now we want to meet more top nations to really challenge ourselves for learning and development.

 

“We are realistic about where we are with this group. It is a rebuild job but that’s not giving the players any excuses; we still go to Calais with the target of qualifying for the European A division and we are capable of doing that if we put in a performance.”

 

All matches will be streamed via www.eurohockeytv.org

 

Men’s EuroHockey Championship qualifiers, Calais (August 24th to 27th)

Jaime Carr (KHC Leuven)

Mark Ingram (Pembroke)

Tim Cross (Annadale)

Luke Madeley (Gantoise)

Kyle Marshall (Old Georgians)

Mark McNellis (Lisnagarvey)

Sam Hyland (YMCA)

Luke Witherow (Banbridge)

Daragh Walsh (Braxgata)

Jonny Lynch (Lisnagarvey)

Michael Robson (Annadale)

Sean Murray (Gantoise)

Nick Page (Old Georgians)

Jonny McKee (Banbridge)

Ben Walker (Braxgata)

Callum Robson (Annadale)

Jeremy Duncan (Monkstown)

Kevin O’Dea (UCD)

 

Team leader: Neil Irwin

Mananger: Ray Geddis

Coach: Mark Tumilty

Physios: Cameron Steele, Hugh Byrne

Physical trainer: Eoin Cunniffe

 

Fixture schedule

Wednesday, August 24th (all times Irish)

Ireland v Lithuania, 3.45pm

France v Turkey, 6pm

 

Thursday, August 25th

Turkey v Lithuania, 4.45pm

Ireland v France, 7pm

 

Saturday, August 27th

Turkey v Ireland, 9am

France v Lithuania, 11.15am

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Ireland put Turkey to sword to qualify for European Championships

Women’s EuroHockey Championship qualifiers
Ireland 7 (M Carey, N Carroll, K McKee, N Carey, D Duke, R Upton, S Hakwshaw) Turkey 0
Ireland put Turkey to the sword to sign off their ticket to next summer’s EuroHockey Championships in style at the Sport Ireland Campus.

Three goals in the second and third quarter put them out of sight against the world number 33 side, putting them on course for a third successive victory and top spot, doing so without conceding a goal.

Michelle Carey, Naomi Carroll, Katie McKee, Niamh Carey, Deirdre Duke, Róisín Upton and Sarah Hakwshaw all scored in the comprehensive success, adding to earlier wins over Poland and the Czech Republic.

“Delighted; it’s really important we are competing against the best teams in Europe next summer. It is a stepping stone for Paris 2024 and that’s what the past three games are all about,” said Upton following the tournament where she was top scorer and voted player of the tournament.

“This is a new structure in the Europeans and it opens things right up. You are playing different teams you don’t normally get to meet. We dealt with it well, got a good opening win against Poland. We had a tougher game against the Czech Republic who sat very deep and today, we are delighted to put seven on the scoreboard.

“The tournament clean sheet is probably the most pleasing thing. We put a real emphasis this tournament on our defensive effort, shutting out the amount of opportunities we gave at the World Cup.”

The Limerick woman added it was a more than useful exercise for a team still evolving since the conclusion of the Tokyo Olympic cycle in 2021.

“It’s a relatively new group that only came together last April. Getting to play here in Ireland with our family and friends here was amazing for our first time having a tournament here [at the Sport Ireland Campus. Secondly, it has given us a huge opportunity to continue building. We talked a lot about holding the ball, controlling games. We had the opportunity to do that.”

The first quarter saw Ireland knock on the door to no avail with Turkey sitting deep and soaking up continuous pressure. Katie Mullan drew the best from Serpil Turker in the first minute and it started a pattern for the Green Army penning the visitors deep in their own 23-metre zone.

While that was a frustrating phase, they did not have long to wait in the second quarter to break the deadlock. The corner count started to mount and from that avenue, Upton teed up Michelle Carey to deflect in a spectacular first goal.

Two minutes later, the move was almost identical but the personnel changed; Hannah McLoughlin swept the ball to the p-spot where Carroll was diving in to guide the ball into the net.

McKee continued the brilliant run with her first international goal. It came from a Turkish corner which was blocked and filtered out to Michelle Carey who fired a 70-metre pass to the Pegasus forward behind the last defender. She was initially held up by Turker but recovered the ball to clip home the top.

It could have been even better but for Turker diving brilliantly to block an Upton penalty stroke with her glove.

The goal rush continued into the second half with Niamh Carey wrong-footing the Turkish goalkeeper from mid-circle for the fourth goal. Duke touched in a fifth when Hawkshaw cracked a reverse-stick pass to the back post.

Upton then got her third goal of the tournament with a low penalty corner shot from the left of the D to make it 6-0. Hawkshaw thumped home a cracking shot seven minutes from time to add an extra gloss on the final score sheet.

Earlier in the day, the Czech Republic secured their place in next year’s EuroHockey Championship II thanks to a 1-0 win over Poland on Sunday morning. The only goal came from Magda Smidova when she finished off from close range.

Her side had the big chances in Q1 and Q3, hitting the crossbar and going close a number of time before Poland threw everything into the final quarter. They could not find an equaliser and so faced a nervous wait to see whether they would stay ahead of Turkey and earn the other second tier ticket for 2023.`

Ireland: L Murphy, S McAuley, M Carey, S Hawkshaw, K Mullan, L Tice, N Carroll, C Perdue, D Duke, E Curran
Subs: N Carey, H McLoughlin, S Torrans, C Beggs, K McKee, C Hamill, A McFerran

Turkey: S Turker, K Guzelal, M Aslan, E Sahiner, M Oymak, S Yalcin, T Sahiner, P Kucukkoc, F Gultekin, E Bahcivan, Y Celik
Subs: Z Kendir, E Celik, I Taskiran, F Cigerli, S Kurt, C Korkmaz, S Guzeller

Umpires: R Woodcock (ENG), C Barwood (WAL)

Women’s EuroHockey Championship qualifier results (all at the Sport Ireland Campus)
August 21
Czech Republic 1 (M Smidova) Poland 0
Ireland 7 (M Carey, N Carroll, K McKee, N Carey, D Duke, R Upton, S Hakwshaw) Turkey 0

Standings: 1. Ireland 9pts (+11) 2. Czech Republic 4pts (0) 3. Poland 3pts (-2) 4. Turkey 1pt (-9)

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Ireland v Turkey, 1pm – Sun 21st August Sport Ireland Campus – Tickets below.

Katie Mullan’s 21st minute goal has Ireland on the brink of qualification for the 2023 European Championships as they made it two wins from two at the Sport Ireland Campus this week with a 1-0 success over the Czech Republic.

 

She struck with a powerful backhand shot and while her side had numerous other chances to make the game safer, this was enough to record the win (read full report here).

 

They march on to Sunday’s final challenge of this round-robin competition, leading the group on six points and need a draw or better on Sunday against Turkey to qualify for next summer’s top tier.

 

Turkey, for their part, lost 2-0 to Poland in their second game to sit on one point beside the Czechs. Maria Drozda opened the scoring in that contest with a smart finish close in. Marlena Rybacha then thumped home a penalty corner shot in the second half to complete the Polish victory.

 

Standings: 1. Ireland 6pts (+4) 2. Poland 3pts (-1) 3. Czech Republic 1pt (-1) 4. Turkey 1pt (-2)

 

Tickets

Be part of the Green Army; LINK: https://bit.ly/EHCQ_Tkts

Watch it Live via EuroHockey TV – Sunday, August 21

Poland v Czech Republic, 10.45am: https://bit.ly/3ADiCyx

Ireland v Turkey, 1pm: https://bit.ly/3c6zm7G

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Ireland on brink of Euro Championship qualification with win over Czechs

Ireland 1 (K Mullan) Czech Republic 0

Katie Mullan’s 21st minute goal has Ireland on the brink of qualification for the 2023 European Championships as they made it two wins from two at the Sport Ireland Campus this week with a 1-0 success over the Czech Republic.

She struck with a powerful backhand shot and while her side had numerous other chances to make the game safer, this was enough to record the win.

“It feels good,” said Mullan of the success. “It is only the second part of the job done but we have another big part of the work complete. Tomorrow is another big game and Turkey have some nifty players. A good performance today; we left a couple of goals out there but it was important to get the win.”

Ireland were in control from start to finish with the Czechs unable to muster a shot on Ayeisha McFerran’s goal but Ireland were unable to build on their first half lead to make the result safer, sooner.

“We are getting closer and closer to being a clinical side; there are a few of us up front who haven’t played a while lot together so we are building those connections. Each game, it feels like we are on the brink [of cutting loose]. We know we need to put more in the back of the net but, all in all, to be as in control as we were from the first to last minute was a big positive.”

Visiting keeper Barbora Chechakova produced some wonder saves before the goal, somehow denying Mullan from close range in the third minute with a sprawling block when the net beckoned.

The lively Deirdre Duke also went close while a rasping Mullan shot also hit the outside of the goal as the Czech goal led a charmed life.

Michelle Carey’s direct running was a constant source of pressure while Duke’s close range deflection was tipped over by Cechakova from a Sarah McAuley baseline cross.

And the goal inevitably arrived when Róisín Upton’s long overhead ball was not dealt with as the lurking Mullan picked up the ball and fired home on her backhand.

Cechakova continued her heroics with a diving intervention to halt Niamh Carey’s run through on goal. The half closed with Ireland’s first penalty corner, Upton’s drag blocked by the Czech netminder.

The second half was tighter though the hosts continued in the ascendancy with the Czechs unable to mount a circle penetration of note. Sarah Torrans went closest to doubling the score, her shot somehow saved by Chechakova’s instep in the 42nd minute.

Three more penalty corners came and went to no avail but the points always looked assured and they march on to Sunday’s final challenge of this round-robin competition, leading the group on six points and need a draw or better on Sunday against Turkey to qualifier for next summer’s top tier.

Turkey, for their part, lost 2-0 to Poland in their second game to sit on one point beside the Czechs. Maria Drozda opened the scoring in that contest with a smart finish close in. Marlena Rybacha then thumped home a penalty corner shot in the second half to complete the victory.

Mullan says the 33rd ranked Turks are not to be underestimated and are much improved since the sides last met in 2015 – a 13-0 victory for Ireland.

“The side we have seen the last few days is very different. They throw different things at you that we are not used to so we will suss them out and prepare for tomorrow’s game.”

And the Ballymoney woman is looking forward to seeing even more faces on the sidelines at the impressive Sport Ireland Campus venue where many kids enjoyed a meet and greet post-match with the Irish skipper and her team mates.

“It is fantastic to be here. We put a lot of training into this pitch but to play national games with a home crowd and so many young fans is brilliant.

“It’s fantastic when you ask the kids where they are from, they are from all round the country – it’s not just Leinster kids, there’s kids from Munster and Ulster and some from Connacht. It’s fantastic to see and we need to encourage this more to be able to repeat this at the Sport Ireland Campus.”

Ireland: A McFerran, S McAuley, M Carey, R Upton, S Hawkshaw, K Mullan, L Tice, N Carroll, C Perdue, D Duke, C Hamill
Subs: N Carey, H McLoughlin, S Torrans, C Beggs, K McKee, E Curran

Czech Republic: B Cechakova, K Lacina, L Duchkova, V Pribikova, K Topinkova, T Mejzlikova, V Novakova, A Lehovcova, A Kolarova, N Babicka, E Merxbauerova
Subs: K Basova, M Smidova, A Koziskova, A Vorlova, N Tlamsova, N Novakova

Women’s EuroHockey Championship qualifiers (all at the Sport Ireland Campus)
August 20:
Poland 2 (M Drozda, M Rybacha) Turkey 0
Ireland 1 (K Mullan) Czech Republic 0

Standings: 1. Ireland 6pts (+4) 2. Poland 3pts (-1) 3. Czech Republic 1pt (-1) 4. Turkey 1pt (-2)

Sunday, August 21:
Poland v Czech Republic, 10.45am
Ireland v Turkey, 1pm

Photos:- Inpho Photography

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Ireland off to flying start in EuroHockey qualifiers

Women’s EuroHockey Championship Qualifier

Ireland 3 (R Upton 2, D Duke) Poland 0

Ireland recorded a strong opening win in the Women’s EuroHockey Championship Qualifier B at the Sport Ireland Campus to head their group after day one.

 

Deirdre Duke opened the scoring in the second quarter with a deft touch to Katie Mullan’s cross and Róisín Upton added her 22nd and 23rd international goals to put the result beyond doubt.

 

It has Ireland top of the group after day one following a 1-1 draw between Turkey and Czech Republic, putting them in pole position for the one ticket to next summer’s European Championships, a key waypoint on the road to Paris 2024.

 

“It was always going to be a really tough game because we know the importance of these games and that brings a bit of stress. To get the result is really positive,” said coach Sean Dancer.

 

Poland – ranked 27th in the world, 14 places below Ireland – offered a new challenge to the Green Army, one which took the hosts took a while to break down.

 

In the first quarter, Michelle Carey and Hannah McLoughlin both had shots brilliantly saved by Marta Kucharska while Katie Mullan poked a chance wide.

 

They went in front after 19th minutes when Duke got the deftest of touches from a move set in motion by Caoimhe Perdue and crossed by Mullan.

 

Upton then slung home a powerful drag-flick from the Green Army’s second corner of the game to give extra daylight. Poland, though, fought back in the second half and had a couple of key chances which Ayeisha McFerran dealt with confidently.

 

Ireland missed out on two glorious chances to make the game extra safe with both Ellen Curran and Mullan denied at point-blank range by sub goalkeeper Anna Gabara.

 

It left some tension in the contest until Upton repeated the feat in the closing minutes with another low bullet for 3-0.

 

“We are playing a tournament where we don’t really understand the opposition and so there is a lot of figuring out and a little bit of chess playing in the game,” Dancer said of the challenge.

 

“We got the better of the first half and they probably got the better of the second. 2-0, we were never fully safe and they still had a chance. Their keeper made some really good saves and if we had put one away, the game would have been done a bit earlier.”

 

Ireland face the Czech Republic on Saturday morning in their second fixture of the tournament at 1pm at the Sport Ireland Campus before completing the competition on Sunday against Turkey.

 

Ireland: A McFerran, S McAuley, M Carey, R Upton, S Hawkshaw, K Mullan, H McLoughlin, L Tice, N Carroll, C Perdue, D Duke

Subs: N Carey, S Torrans, C Beggs, K McKee, C Hamill

 

Poland: M Kucharska, M Drozda, A Katerla, J Balcerzak, M Rybacha, M Polewczak, S Tatarczuk, W Blaszyk, B Strubbe, N Suszynska, D Mazur

Subs: M Czujewicz, A Szot, D Skoraszewska, K Diurczak, M Pabiniak, P Slawinska

 

Women’s EuroHockey Championship Qualifier

Czech Republic 1 (T Mejzlikova) Turkey 1 (P Küçükkoç)

Ireland 3 (R Upton 2, D Duke) Poland 0

 

Standings: 1. Ireland 3pts (+3) 2= Czech Republic 1pt (0) 2= Turkey 1pt (0) 4. Poland 0pts (-3)

 

August 20:

Poland v Turkey, 10.45am

Ireland v Czech Republic, 1pm

 

August 21:

Poland v Czech Republic, 10.45am

Ireland v Turkey, 1pm

Tickets : https://bit.ly/EHCQ_Tkts

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Niamh Carey returns to Irish line-up for Euro qualifiers

Niamh Carey has returned to the Irish senior women’s squad ahead of the EuroHockey Championships qualifier tournament which will be held at the Sport Ireland Campus from August 18th to 21st.

The UCD striker enjoyed a spectacular start to her international career last October, scoring in her first and second caps in Pisa to help propel Ireland to World Cup qualification.

She subsequently took time out for a college placement in the US which ruled her out of playing in July’s World Cup but she has been back in camp with Sean Dancer’s panel to provide a boost to the line-up for next week’s key qualifiers.

It is the one addition to the squad with all 20 of those who played in Amsterdam available for selection with UCC’s Caoimhe Perdue included who has recovered from a broken bone in her hand sustained against South Africa.

“Niamh Carey has pushed her way back into the team, and it will be exciting to see her and [twin sister] Michelle, back in action connecting with each other on the field,” said coach Sean Dancer of her return.

“We continue to have a good balance of experience and youth, with speed and skill, that will be important for us over the whole field to play the style of play we want.

Ireland take on world number 27 side Poland in their first game next Thursday at 7.30pm to start the four-team round-robin competition from which only the winner will play in Europe’s top tier in 2023.

They will follow up with a tie against the Czech Republic (ranked 23rd) on Saturday, August 20th (1pm) before completing the series against Turkey (33rd) on Sunday, August 21st (1pm).

At 14th in the world, Ireland are the favourites on paper and will be keen to use a strong home advantage to bolster their performances just a month after their 11th place finish at the World Cup.

“The Dublin Europeans is an important tournament for this group and we need to rise to the challenge and expectations of winning next week,” Dancer added.

“The World Cup experience overall was tough but also an excellent opportunity to progress our game. We have worked hard in our review period, and made the adjustments we feel we need.

“Playing important games at home can be a great experience for a team and we are hoping to have a lot of support from the ‘Green Army’ fans as we know they will do.”

To make sure you are part of the action, tickets are available via https://bit.ly/EHCQ_Tkts.

 

Irish women’s squad for EuroHockey Championship qualifiers (August 18th to 21st at the Sport Ireland Campus)

Ayeisha McFerran (SV Kampong, 118)

Elizabeth Murphy (Loreto, 13)

Róisín Upton (vice-captain, Catholic Institute, 94)

Lena Tice (Old Alex, 127)

Katie Mullan (Ballymoney, 211)

Sarah Hawkshaw (Railway Union, 51)

Naomi Carroll (Catholic Institute, 126)

Hannah McLoughlin (UCD, 31)

Sarah McAuley (UCD, 14)

Michelle Carey (UCD, 15)

Charlotte Beggs (Ulster Elks, 5)

Katie McKee (Pegasus, 5)

Ellen Curran (Pembroke, 32)

Christina Hamill (Loreto, 5)

Sarah Torrans (Loreto, 38)

Caoimhe Perdue (UCC, 4)

Deirdre Duke (Old Alex, 159)

Niamh Carey (UCD, 3)

Zara Malseed (Ards, 12)

Síofra O’Brien (Loreto, 1)

Erin Getty (Queen’s, 11)

Holly Micklem (Old Alex, 0)

Ellie McLoughlin (UCD, 0)

Fixture schedule

August 18th: 

Czech Republic v Turkey, 5.15pm

Ireland v Poland, 7.30pm

 

August 20th: 

Poland v Turkey, 10.45am

Ireland v Czech Republic, 1pm

 

August 21st: 

Poland v Czech Republic, 10.45am

Ireland v Turkey, 1pm

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EuroHockey Championship Qualifiers – Tickets on Sale

Tickets have gone on sale for the women’s crucial EuroHockey Championship qualifiers which will take place at the Sport Ireland Campus in Blanchardstown from August 18th to 21st.

Tickets can be purchased by the following link: https://bit.ly/EHCQ_Tkts

It will be the first capped games for the Green Army on home turf since the 2019 Olympic qualifiers in Donnybrook with Ireland coming up against the Czech Republic (World Ranked 23rd), Poland (27th) and Turkey (33rd).

The winner of the competition will qualify for the top tier of 2023’s European Championships which is, in turn, a vital stepping stone on the road to Paris 2024. The Euros in Monchengladbach offers the first direct qualification ticket to the Olympic Games.

In addition, the places in the Olympic qualifying tournaments will also be determined by performances at the 2023 Euros and so reaching the top table is crucial for Ireland.

As such, the Irish hosts this week are looking to put on a big show at the Sport Ireland Campus to progress their Olympic hopes in front of a buzzing home crowd.

Over 1,200 seats have been installed at the venue, augmented by a fan village and children’s skill zone to add to the atmosphere.

Sarah Hawkshaw grew up minutes away from the venue in Castleknock and says this kind of set-up is unimaginable from her youth days in the area. She got her first glimpse of the new additions this weekend and is excited by the prospect of walking out to a raucous audience.

“With the stands in place, it looks class and looks a different pitch altogether from the one we train on. I wish it could stay all year!” she said. “It sets the perfect scene for what will be a really tough tournament but one which, for our campaign to Paris, we absolutely must win.

“We would love to do it in front of lots of our fans who always give us a huge boost. The campus is such a good complex and is easy access for people coming down from the north and just off the M50.”

Coach Sean Dancer added about the venue: “What they have done with the stands, the structure above the dugouts and the people they have around the ground supporting it makes the environment enjoyable to come here and play hockey. Real credit to Sport Ireland and Hockey Ireland to get these facilities in place.

“The challenge would be to get this all the time because this group really want to be here. Walking out, it is a different kettle of fish. Credit to everyone because they have got it right and it would be amazing to have it here full-time. It can help Ireland get to the next level.”

His side will be hoping to finish their summer schedule on a high following their 11th place finish at the World Cup in Amsterdam in the summer. The nature of the opposition will be very different with Ireland taking on the eventual champions the Netherlands and fourth place finishers Germany in the group stages.

This time around, they are the highest ranked side at 13th in the world and so Hawkshaw says there is a very different dynamic.

“That’s where the pressure is,” the dashing midfielder adds. “It is on us to go out and do a job. They are the teams we have to control in these games, move the ball well, take our opportunities when they come around.

“A lot of sides ranked lower than us are defensively strong and have experience of doing a lot of defending. So we are definitely not expecting to walk the ball into the goal and it is an area we have to improve.”

Women’s EuroHockey Championship qualifiers (all at the Sport Ireland campus)

August 18: 

Czech Republic v Turkey, 5.15 pm

Ireland v Poland, 7.30 pm

 

August 20: 

Poland v Turkey, 10.45 am

Ireland v Czech Republic, 1 pm

 

August 21: 

Poland v Czech Republic, 10.45 am

Ireland v Turkey, 1 pm

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Ireland’s men run up fifth successive win

Men’s international test match

Ireland 3 (B Walker 2, C Empey) Austria 1 (M Frey)

Ireland picked up a second successive win over Austria this weekend at the Sport Ireland Campus as Ben Walker’s first quarter double continued their strong run of form.

 

This 3-1 win added to Saturday’s 2-0 success against the world number 19 side and as their fifth in succession and ninth victory from their last 11 fixtures as they continue to build momentum for the EuroHockey Championships qualifiers in three weeks time.

 

Walker opened the scoring just two minutes in when John McKee’s shot was never fully cleared with Jeremy Duncan robbing possession on the left edge of the D. He spun the ball into the danger zone where the Dubliner gave it a little nudge to deceive Matuesz Szymczyk.

 

They rode their luck a little bit after that with Mark Ingram making a couple of important saves from penalty corners while Oliver Binder’s shot clipped the base of the post.

 

But Mark Tumilty’s side were two up before the end of the first quarter when McKee’s drag was saved high, allowing Johnny Lynch to brilliantly take the ball out of the air and clip it across for Walker to tip-in

 

Ireland were the side on top in Q2 but the visitors bounced back in the third period to make more of the game and were on the scoreboard when Josef Winkler’s first-time shot bounced the way of Moritz Frey. He cleverly lifted his effort over Ingram.

 

And they were close to an equaliser when a fifth corner shot was deflected high with goalkeeper Ingram using his face protection to nod away the sharp change of direction.

 

The hosts, though, finished stronger and were rewarded with a clinching goal with five minutes left. Mark McNellis’s raking pass from right to left found Duncan on the circle’s perimeter and he angled a ball to the back post where Conor Empey was on hand to gobble up a simple chance.

 

Ireland completed this warm-up series on Tuesday evening (7.45pm) with another fixture against Chile – whom they beat twice last week.

 

The Irish women, meanwhile, play their second uncapped fixture against France on Monday evening (5.30pm) as the Sport Ireland Campus venue continues to take shape.

 

Ireland: M Ingram, T Cross, J McKee, D Walsh, K Marshall, S Murray, M McNellis, J Duncan, B Walker, S Hyland, N Page

Subs: K O’Dea, N Glassey, M Robson, J Lynch, C Empey, R Patterson, J Carr

 

Austria: M Szymczyk, T Mayer, O Binder, P Kaltenböck, D Fröhlich, F Unterkircher, F Lindengrun, N Wellan, L Thörnblom, X Hasun, O Kern

Subs: C Soldat, B Kölbl, J Winkler, B Valas, M Frey, L Rizzi

 

Umpires: I Strange, R Abbott

 

Fixture schedule (all at Sport Ireland Campus)

All live streamed on Hockey Irelands Youtube.

Tuesday, August 9: Ireland v Chile, 7.45pm

Women (uncapped fixture)

Monday, August 8: Ireland v France, 5.30pm

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Ireland beat Austria 2-0 to extend winning run.

Men’s international test match

Ireland 2 (J McKee, J Duncan) Austria 0

Ireland made it three wins in succession at the Sport Ireland Campus as second quarter goals from John McKee and Jeremy Duncan saw off world number 19 side Austria 2-0.

 

It followed two wins over Chile (ranked 23rd) in midweek as part of this busy schedule in the lead-up to the EuroHockey Championship qualifiers later this month in Calais. All told, Ireland have won eight of 10 fixtures this summer to build confidence and momentum.

 

The tie was also the 100th cap for captain Sean Murray and he was delighted to receive the honour on home turf seven years after making his debut, also in Dublin.

 

“It’s a bit surreal. We play across the waters so much so doing it at home is so special, especially for the 100th,” the former Lisnagarvey man – now plying his trade in Belgium – said afterwards.

 

“Every cap is as special but it was nice to play freely today and get a win with the team. Our performances keep progressing and winning is certainly a habit so we want to keep that going as long as possible. It would be really good to go to France with that momentum.”

 

Indeed, it was Ireland’s eighth win in 10 outings this summer and Murray says these capped fixtures are giving the young Irish squad a strong matchplay grounding for those qualifiers.

 

“When we play the teams below us, there’s potential to lose far more than you gain so it gives the extra incentive to win. With the nature and experience of our squad, we need to get used to seeing out games [like this] well and putting the foot on the throat of the teams ranked below us. Today, we learned a bit about playing it smart when we were two goals up, not playing direct. It is a work in progress.”

 

He also paid tribute to Jaime Carr who recorded on a clean sheet in his 50th international: “Brilliant for him. It’s difficult for a goalkeeper to amass 50 caps – it’s not like a defender who can be the fourth best and still play every game.

 

“He is a world-renowned goalkeeper; everyone of the players in the Belgian league [where he is based] knows him because of that and it is a really strong area for us.”

 

On the field, Ireland had the edge in play for the majority of the tie with Daragh Walsh and McKee firing early shots on the backhand wide.

 

Michael Robson and Rory Patterson also had bashes at goal before McKee broke the deadlock with a low drag-flick through Mateuez Szymczyk – his third goal in successive fixtures.

 

And it was two at half-time when Ben Johnson’s extravagant turn on the baseline opened the door for Michael Robson to shoot goalward; he didn’t get a full sweep on it but the direction was good enough for Duncan to swoop and complete the job.

 

The third quarter saw the Green Machine in control but not able to capitalise further with McKee and Callum Robson looking dangerous. Austria held out and had their best moments in the closing few minutes but Kyle Marshall and Carr saved off the line to keep the clean sheet in place.

The two sides meet again on Sunday morning at 9.30am with Ireland finishing their series on Tuesday against Chile.

 

Earlier in the day, the Irish women drew 2-2 with France in an uncapped fixture.

 

Ireland: J Carr, L Witherow, T Cross, J McKee, D Walsh, C Robson, K Marshall, S Murray, M McNellis, J Duncan, N Page

Subs: K O’Dea, M Robson, B Walker, S Hyland, B Johnson, R Patterson, M Ingram

 

Austria: M Szymczyk, T Mayer, O Binder, P Kaltenböck, D Fröhlich, F Unterkircher, F Lindengrun, N Wellan, L Thörnblom, X Hasun, O Kern

Subs: C Soldat, B Kölbl, J Winkler, B Valas, M Frey, L Rizzi

 

Umpires: I Strange, S McAllister

 

Fixture schedule (all at Sport Ireland Campus, Abbotstown)

Men

Sunday, August 7: Ireland v Austria, 9.30am

Tuesday, August 9: Ireland v Chile, 7.45pm

Women (uncapped fixture)

Monday, August 8: Ireland v France, 5.30pm

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Ireland make it two from two against Chile

Men’s international test match

Ireland 3 (J McKee, K O’Dea, C Robson) Chile 1 (M Rodriguez)

Ireland’s men picked up a second successive win over Chile as they saw off the South American side 3-1 at the Sport Ireland Campus with a fine second half showing in their latest capped fixture.

 

John McKee and Martin Rodriguez exchanged early goals to have it level at 1-1 and it remained that way into the second half when the hosts cut loose. Kevin O’Dea took advantage of a near-in miscontrol to put Ireland back in front and then Callum Robson sealed the deal with a rocket of a first time touch.

 

“Pleased, it was much better than yesterday’s performance [a 3-2 win],” coach Mark Tumilty reflected on the tie. “We played with more purpose and intent, especially in Q3. Q4 it became a bit too stretched and I think the players recognised that and over-carried the ball. It is progress and if we are winning at the same time, that’s good.”

 

The side now have two days off before facing world number 19 Austria on Saturday (3.30pm) and Sunday (9.30am), a busy schedule which Tumilty is grateful for following a quiet couple of years with Covid and a turnover of players.

 

“With this group, it is about getting them as many games as possible, up to 30 a year. The teams who are making progress and being competitive have 100-plus caps which we don’t have many of unfortunately.

 

“It is a great experience to play against a South American style of play and it is a chance to take on a side going to a World Cup. They are a dangerous side, have a good aerial ball and give us a real challenge.”

 

McKee got the tie off to a rip-roaring start with a gorgeous solo goal, his first time pull inside beating his marker 40-metres from goal. He drove at the heart of the Chilean D, taking the space on offer to work a shooting chance close in, flicking into the bottom corner.

 

The lead, though, only lasted a couple of minutes with the visitors winning a couple of corners, the second of which Jaime Carr but Martin Rodriguez pounced on to nudge over the goal line.

 

After that, chances were at a premium as the game settled into a tight battle. McKee fired the best opening over the bar while Sean Murray had a call for a penalty stroke turned away.

 

Into the second half, Ireland were more accurate and playing at a higher tempo. They went in front for a second time when Luke Witherow overlapped on the right sideline and his powerful cross fell invitingly for O’Dea to gobble up.

 

Conor Empey had two powerful blasts at goal blocked by Agustin Ayala while a couple of corner chances were also kept out. And they moved further clear from Ben Walker picked up turnover ball on the 23-metre line and laid the ball into the path of Robson who swung first time on the ball, thumping in for 3-1.

 

Ireland looked the more likely to score again but had to settle for three goals and another small boost to their world ranking quotient.

 

Ireland: J Carr, L Madeley, T Cross, J McKee, C Robson, K O’Dea, K Marshall, S Murray, M Robson, S Hyland, N Page

Subs: L Witherow, D Walsh, N Glassey, B Walker, J Lynch, C Empey, J Milliken

 

Chile: A Araya, J Purcell, V Goni, Fernando Renz, J Maldonado, A Pizarro, J Amoroso, J Hurtado, A Toncoso, N Strabucchi

Subs: A Amoroso, A Henriquez, M Rodriguez, K Gesswein, Felipe Renz, D Ordonez, A Valenzuela

 

Fixture schedule (all at Sport Ireland Campus, Abbotstown)

Men

Friday, August 5: Austria v Chile, 7.45pm

Saturday, August 6: Ireland v Austria, 3.30pm

Sunday, August 7: Ireland v Austria, 9.30am

Tuesday, August 9: Ireland v Chile, 7.45pm

 

Women (uncapped fixtures)

Friday, August 5: Ireland Development side v France, 5.30pm

Saturday, August 6: Ireland v France, 12.30pm

Monday, August 8: Ireland v France, 5.30pm

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