Ireland 2 - 4 England; EuroHockey Nations Championship (men)

Ireland's men took on England in their opening game of their EuroHockey Nations Championship earlier today. Ireland came out of the traps at full speed, demonstrating their intentions early with high intensity. Ireland secured the first penalty corner of the day in the 11th minute but Jermyn's drag attempt was denied by Fair in goals. Just one minute later Ireland were on the defence but Jacksons drag for England was nowhere near the mark. Ireland did not wait long to put their stamp on the game when Cargo converted in th 15th minute, when McConnell deflected a free to Cargo who fired it home.

Minutes later McConnell was again the deliverer of a great pass to Cockram whose diving deflection effort just went wide of the mark. Ireland went down to 10 in the 23rd when Gleghorne was shown yellow for a tackle; this seemed to take the wind somewhat out of Ireland's sails and within minutes they conceded the equaliser when Matt Daly banged home from the top of the circle.

The tides suddenly turned and Ireland found themselves on the back foot, as Harte and Jackson were forced to put some top defending to use. Captain Gormley had a chance to show off some quick reactions when he tipped Ashley Jacksons drag effort wide of the bar. England went on to secure four penalty corners before half time but Ireland managed to hang on to a 1-1 scoreline.

Ireland continued to feel the pressure as England on the 40th scored with a Barry Middleton long range shot to go 2-1 up. England continued to turn the screw winning three more penalty corners within 14minutes and on the 49th minute Ashley Jackson did not miss as he flung home his trademark drag flick for a 3-1 lead.

Ireland stepped up and began to apply pressure of their own finding opportunities to attack including three penalty corners, which gave Jermyn an opportunity to put his name on the scoresheet when he bulleted his drag flick home to make it 3-2. With just ten minutes left Ireland looked likely to equalise as they upped the tempo, but a quick turn around after an Irish penalty corner saw Barry Middleton for England get on the end of a great pass diving to deflect into the roof of the net, to copper fasten their 4-2 victory.

Commenting after the match Coach Paul Revington said "We were pleased with the start of our match, but disappointed to concede so many penalty corners which put us on the back foot. We did well to save a number but mentally conceding that many is tough."

"We still felt we could come back, but we are disappointed with certain areas of our game but we will make improvements before tomorrows game."

• Ireland Starting XI: David Harte (GK); John Jackson; Geoff McCabe; Ronan Gormley; Michael Watt; Eugene Magee; Mitch Darling; Tim Cockram; David Ames; Paul Gleghorne; Conor Harte.
  Reserves: Chris Cargo; Eugene Magee; Andy McConnell; Joe Brennan; John Jermyn

• England Starting XI; Glenn Kirkham; Richard Mantell; Ashley Jackson; Rob Moore; Adam Dixon; Alastair Wilson; Barry Middleton; James Tindall; Mark Pearn; Iain Lewers; James Fair (GK).
  Reserves: Richard Alexander; Matt Daly; Iain Mackay; Nick Catlin; Richard Smith.