Hockey: Ireland Beat Canada 2-0

The Green Machine faced Canada in the first of 8 tests in 10 days in South Africa. The two sides will face each other in Pool B at the Rio Olympics and the Canadians sit 14th in the world, 2 places behind the men in green at 12th. Ireland are based in Cape Town for 2 weeks for warm weather training and intense match series against Canada, Spain, South Africa, and Belgium.

The first match of the series, and the warm weather camp, meant the first half produced little action as neither team could capitalise on their chances.

The second half though showcased the clinical finishes that eluded the men in green in the opening 30 minutes. 5 minutes into the 3rd quarter Shane O'Donoghue drove into the circle and fired a reverse shot into the bottom corner, increasing his goal tally to an impressive 46 in his 89 caps. A long aerial and clever link up play between Mitch Darling and Mikie Watt resulted in a corner. The resulting blocked shot didn't deter the Green Machine and Chris Cargo scored via an impressive reverse shot into the top corner, giving Ireland a 2-0 lead that they retained for the remainder of the match.

Upcoming Matches
- 14th January 16.00 Ireland 2 v 0 Canada
- 16th January 14.00 Ireland v Canada
- 17th January 14.00 Ireland v Spain
- 18th January 18.00 Ireland v South Africa
- 20th January 18.00 Ireland v Canada
- 21st January 16.00 Ireland v Canada
- 23rd January 12.00 Ireland v Belgium
- 24th January 12.00 Ireland v Belgium

SQUAD
1.Jonny Bell Lisnagarvey
2.Matt Bell Banbridge
3.Jonny Bruton Monkstown
4.Drew Carlisle Banbridge
5.Peter Caruth Monkstown
6. Jamie Carr Three Rock
7.Chris Cargo Racing
8.Tim Cockram Lisnagarvey
9.Stephan Cole Monkstown
10.Lee Cole Monkstown
11.Mitch Darling Rotterdam
12.Stuart Loughrey Hampstead & Westminster
13.Neal Glassey Lisnagarvey
14.Paul Gleghorne Lisnagarvey
15.Kyle Good Monkstown
16.Ronan Gormley Krefeld
17.Conor Harte Racing
18.John Jackson Reading
19.Alan Sothern Pembroke
20.Eugene Magee Banbridge
21.Shane O'Donoghue Dragons
22.Michael Robson Annadale
23.Michael Watt Lisnagarvey
24.Kirk Shimmins Pembroke
25.David Fitzgerald Monkstown
26. Gareth Watkins Monkstown
David Harte was unavailable for selection as he will be competing for Dabang Mumbai in the Hockey India League.