HOCKEY Irish men's hockey team at final Olympic Qualifier
Olympic Qualifier, Auckland, 9th Feb
Ireland 1 (Ronan Gormley)
The Irish men produced a herculean performance to defeat tournament favourites and World # 7 Argentina today in Auckland by one goal to nil but did not get the two goal margin which would have guaranteed their place in the Olympic playoff final.
With this result Ireland needed the erratic French to hold the hosts New Zealand to at least a draw in the final game, however, with nothing to play for for the French the home side recorded a 2-1 win and booked thier place in the paly - off against Argentina to Ireland's heart break.
The match started off very evenly with the nerves of the occasion affecting the players as and Irish two goal margin victory would have effectively eliminated Argentina from the Olympics. Ireland won the first penalty corner on 5 mins but Gleghorne’s effort was saved around the post. Argentina began to assert some territorial advantage as the half drew on without creating any clear cuts chances. On 30mins they had a great opportunity but Ireland David Harte did well to force the Argentinean forward wide with a good sliding save. The half ended with the South Americans creating another shot but it went wide for the half to end scoreless.
Half time: Ireland 0 - 0 Argentina
The second half saw Ireland take the game to their higher ranked opponents with the increased urgency of requiring the two goals but the steadfast defence of Argentina was making it difficult for the irish forwards. Then as the game opened up Argentina were thwarted by Harte again but Ireland countered hard and great work from Eugene Magee won their second penalty corner and although Gleghorne’s flick was saved Ronan Gormley followed up the rebound to sweep home for a one nil lead with 15 minutes to go. Ireland pressed hard to get the second goal but found it difficult to break down the resolute Argentinean defence and on 65minutes Dave Harte had to be alert for a double save to give Ireland hope. However, the Irish we unable to get more possession of the ball and Argentina were happy to play down the clock and guarantee their place in the Olympic playoff final.
The match was somewhat marred by an unfortunate incident during the first half when Irish defender Ronan Gormley received a unprovoked spit in the face by Argentinean captain Mario Almada which Ireland has reported in the interest of hockey.
Full time Ireland 1 - 0 Argentina
Ireland coach David Passmore said “the lads could not have given any more today. It is devastating that we have probably gone out by one goal. This is not because of today but earlier lapses against Trinidad & Tobago when we needed a bigger winning margin. Sport is harsh and this will have been a difficult lesson to stomach”.
Ireland Manager Steven Hiles reflected “whilst it is very disappointing to have missed out on the playoff by 1 goal on goal difference and not get the winning margin we required we can look back on an excellent performance during the group stages in what was only the second ever win against Argentina. The incident with Ronan was a disgrace and unacceptable in any sport, I hope the tournament authorities send out s strong message to this effect”.
News Zealand defeated Argentina 3-2 in the play off to take the one coveted Olympic qualifying spot on offer.
Next Game: Sun 10 Feb 07 v France (12.15 or 23.15 irish time)– Bronze medal playoff
Other crucial Score New Zealand 2, France 1
Ireland Starting XI D. Harte, , Brown, J. Black, Gormley, Lewers, Shaw, M. Black , Jermyn, Gleghorne, Magee, Maguire
Subs Used: , Barbour, Lewis, Watt, Hobbs, Butler
Not Used Ruddle, Burns
Manager: Steven Hiles
Coach: David Passmore
Asst Coach Craig Fulton
Physio Sinead Murphy
Pictures are available from Getty Images http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Search.aspx?EventId=79354780#
The Irish men took on France in their opening match (who are ranked 16th in the world with Ireland 19th) and put in an impressive performance to win 4-0. In their second game they lost 3-1 to hosts New Zealand.In their third they boosted their all important goal difference by recording a 7-2 win over Trinidad and Tabago.
Ireland Starting XI D. Harte, Brown, Lewers, Gormley, Shaw, Hobbs , Jermyn, Gleghorne, Magee, Watt
Subs Used: M. Black, Barbour, Butler, Lewis, Maguire
Not Used Burns, Ruddle
Manager: Steven Hiles
Coach: David Passmore
Asst Coach Craig Fulton
Physio Sinead Murphy
30th Jan Ireland just days away from Olympic Qualifier
The Irish men's hockey team are just days away from their second and final opportunity to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Ireland open the Olympic qualifying tournament against France in Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday morning (11pm Irish time Friday 1st Feb).
Ireland's campaign in Auckland runs from Saturday (2nd Feb) until Sunday 10th with only the winner of the tournament gaining the much coveted Olympic qualification. Six teams are participating with the top two after the pool stage playing a winner takes all match on Sunday 10th.
Ireland face a really stiff task to qualify with three higher ranked countries in the mix , including world number seven Argentina whom Ireland played twice on their tour to Chile recently, drawing the first match one all and losing the second two one in a fine display of hockey.
Ireland will also face hosts and world number ten New Zealand, France with a world ranking of sixteen and the two lower ranked teams Trinidad and Tobago at twenty four, and USA at twenty seven. Neither of these lower ranked teams will be pushover however as they proved when both drew against Canada in the Pan Am Qualifier recently which Canada went on to win and with it qualify for the Olympic Games. Ireland is currently ranked nineteenth in the world.
For live commentary and more visit www.olympicqualifiermennz.sportcentric.com
For more info on Ireland www.hockey.ie
Irish Team for Olympic Qualifying Tournament, Auckland, New Zealand, Feb 2 -10
Mark Ruddle (GK), Cork C of I, 21 caps
Paddy Brown (C), Instonians, 143 caps
Jason Black, Cork Harlequins, 114 caps
Karl Burns, Cork C of I, 83 caps
Ronan Gormley, Pembroke Wanderers, 52 caps
Michael Watt, Grange HC, 28 caps
Stephen Butler, Glennane, 125 caps
Mark Gleghorne, Instonians, 73 caps
John Jermyn, HCG (Holland)/C of I, 71 caps
Eugene Magee, Banbridge, 57 caps
Graham Shaw, Glennane, 109 caps
David Hobbs, Cork C of I, 105 caps
Andy Barbour, Cookstown, 78 caps
Mark Black, Cork Harlequins, 101 caps
Pheile Maguire, Three Rock Rovers, 58 caps
Iain Lewers, HGC (Holland)/Annadale, 77 caps
Tim Lewis, Pembroke Wanderers, 19 caps
David Harte (GK), Pembroke Wanderers, 14 caps
Travelling Reserve: Timothy Cockram, Lisnagarvey, 62 caps
Non Travelling Reserves: Mark Irwin (Instonians 130 caps), Geoff McCabe (Banbridge,27 caps) and Gareth Lennox (GK - Banbridge, 12 caps).
Coach: Dave Passmore
Manager: Steven Hiles
Matches Olympic Qualifying Tournament, NZ
Match Irish Time & Date (NZ time,13 hours ahead)
Ireland 4 - 0 France 11pm Friday 1st (12pm Saturday Feb 2nd)
Ireland 1 - 3 New Zealand 00.15 Saturday 2rd (13.15 Sunday Feb 3rd)
Ireland 7-2 Trinidad & Tobago 1.00am Tuesday 5th (2pm Tuesday Feb 5th)
Ireland 8 - 0 USA 5.00am Wednesday 6th (6pm Wednesday Feb 6th)
Ireland 1-0 Argentina 11.15pm Friday 8th (12.15pm Saturday 9th)
Classifications Sunday 10th
1st v 2nd, 3rd v 4th, 5th v 6th