Ireland hit Fiji for 13

Ireland's World League 2 campaign continued today with a comprehensive 13-0 win over Fiji in New Delhi, India following Monday's 5-2 victory over Bangladesh to open the tournament. It was a special day in particular for two of Ireland's Green Machine as Eugene Magee became the record caps holders for Ireland earning his 164th cap while Banbridge's Peter Brown scored his first International goal at this level.

In truth, the result was never in doubt today as Ireland raced into a 5-0 lead in the first half through goals from Darling, Brown, Maguire, Cargo and fittingly new Irish record caps holder Eugene Magee. It has been a tough few days for Fiji, beaten 16-0 by Ireland's next opponents India on Monday and facing a Green Machine today in confident form. Ireland were in control of the game from the off and had 58% of the possession in the opening period. The Green Machine could have gone into the break with a much healthier score line than 5-0 had the team managed to convert any of the 5 penalty corners awarded to them in the first half of action.

Ireland's second half performance was equally efficient and more success with their penalty corners allowed the Green Machine to rack up goals to add to their tally. For the second time in two days Pembroke Wanderers' Alan Sothern grabbed a hat trick while teammates Cargo, O'Donohue, McCabe and Conor Harte twice, found the goals the Green Machine's play deserved.

It was a comprehensive victory but Ireland will be under no illusions that much sterner tests await them starting tomorrow vs. hosts India before tough games vs. Oman & China.

Ireland coach Andrew Meredith was pleased with his side's performance & goals ratio today given the difficult circumstances some of his squad have faced in India this week 'I'm very pleased with the result, while the three points is the most important thing, scoring 13 goals is rare in an international match. Credit to the midfielders and strikers for creating a lot of opportunities and having a high percentage of positive outcomes. Individually there were some much more consistent performances, which were exceptional in the circumstances that 5 players had been ill in the last 24hrs.'

Speaking following the game new Ireland record caps holder Eugene Magee shared his joy with today's result 'Great result and great way to celebrate my 164th cap. We're looking forward now to a hard game against India tomorrow'