Sheridan slays Venezuela

A four-star performance by Dillon Sheridan ensured a convincing win for Ireland over an outgunned Venezuela in Sant Cugat Del Vallés and in the process, put them in a strong position for qualification to the quarter-finals of the CPISRA Intercontinental Cup.

With England having lost 7-0 to Russia (Ireland lost 6-0) and only beaten Venezuela 5-0, a draw against their old rivals on Thursday night would be enough for Ireland to make it out of Group B and into the last eight.

That would help achieve another key target, with the quarter-finalists from this tournament qualifying for the World Championships.

Paul Cassin's side showed that their morale was unaffected by that opening defeat to the World and Paralympic champions and they were quickly out of the traps with the deadly Sheridan getting the first of his four goals in the eighth minute.

Venezuela defended very deep and in numbers but they couldn't cope with the penetration of their opponents' play.

Daragh Byrne made it 2-0 with a good finish at the beginning of the second quarter and further strikes by Sheridan and Luke Evans pushed it to 4-0 by half time.

The second half was extremely comfortable and Sheridan doubled his tally with a clinical brace before Ryan Nolan got himself on the scoresheet to conclude a memorable night's work in northern Spain.

Cassin had expressed optimism beforehand that his players could bounce back from the loss to Russia and was understandably happy.

"I'm very pleased with the way my lads carried out our instructions to the letter and reaped the rewards with a great result" said the Ireland manager.