Great Britain 5-1 Ireland
Ireland began the final round of FIH Pro League Series matches by falling to a 5-1 defeat against Great Britain at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London.
Ireland got off to a good start, but it was Great Britain who opened the scoring through debutant Henry Croft in the 12th minute. Phil Roper added a second on 18 minutes before Ireland responded through Ben Walker two minutes later.
Sam Ward made it 3-1 in the 22nd minute and he added another when he converted a penalty corner in the 32nd minute. Gareth Furlong added a fifth from another penalty corner in the 58th minute.
For Great Britain, this was only their fifth game in this season's FIH Pro League, and their points return from their opening four games was small enough that on the current table they were in ninth place in the table below Ireland. For Ireland this was match 13 of 18 and they went into this series having picked up six league points from two wins in Antwerp over hosts Belgium, who were ranked second in the world in the most recent rankings list.
Ireland started off well against Great Britain and won the first penalty corner of the match in the fourth minute. Luke Madeley shot wide with his drag flick. Midway through the quarter Ireland had enjoyed good possession, but Jacob Draper for Great Britain broke up one move and launched an aerial which was contested by Timothy Marshall and Ireland's Kyle Marshall.
The umpire awarded a hit out to Ireland. The British captain asked for a video referral seeking a penalty stroke. The on-field umpire's decision was upheld, and Great Britain lost their video referral. The opening goal of the game, when it arrived, was somewhat against the run of play. Jack Waller sped down the left wing and crossed to Croft, who rifled the ball to the net from the edge of the semi-circle, scoring on his debut to make it 1-0 in the 12th minute. Great Britain led 1-0 at the end of the quarter.
In the second quarter, Roper increased Great Britain's lead from open play to make it 2-0. Ireland appealed the goal for back stick, but the video umpire upheld the original decision and Ireland lost their referral.
Walker got Ireland on the scoresheet in the 20th minute when Jonathan Lynch crossed the ball from the right outside the semi-circle. Walker, who was inside the semi-circle, dived forward to touch it into the net to make it 2-1. No sooner had Ireland gotten on the scoresheet than they found themselves reduced to 10 players for the rest of the quarter. John McKee received a 10-minute yellow card in the 21st minute.
Great Britain capitalised on their man advantage within a minute when Ward poked home a James Gall drive at David Harte's right hand post.
Great Britain were themselves reduced to 10 men albeit for a two-minute green card when Timothy Nurse earned his green card in the 29th minute. It was 3-1 at half-time.
In the third quarter, Ward put the game beyond the Irish by scoring a fourth for Great Britain in the 32nd minute. An aerial pass found him at the end line and he managed to win a penalty corner. Ward then converted the penalty corner to make the score 4-1 to Great Britain. Furlong converted a 58th minute penalty corner made it 5-1 and while Ireland were on the attack in the closing minutes this game was over as a contest.
Speaking after the game, Ireland Men's Head Coach Mark Tumilty said:
"I think we have to recognise that Great Britain were very clinical today with their finishing. We had chances in the first ten minutes today that we didn't take.
"We need to learn from that and move on against Germany tomorrow. The Great Britain team were ruthless today. Our discipline needs to be good, and we need to keep 11 players on the pitch all through the games."
"It's a tough day for us, we need to bounce back in each of the three remaining games. You can't have those lapses of concentration. Luke Madeley will not be available tomorrow.
"We have to readjust with that until we know how bad the injury is. It's unknown at this stage. It's an unfortunate injury for us as a group. We had two reserves today. Guys can play in various positions and they will just have to adapt."
Great Britain: James Mazarelo (GK),; Jack Waller ; Jacob Draper; Sam Ward ; Phil Roper; Davi Goodfield; Nicholas Bandurak; Liam Sanford; Lee Morton; Conor Williamson; Timothy Nurse
Subs used: James Gall [3 mins] Ian Sloan [3 mins]; Struhan Walker [4 mins]; Rohan Bhuhi [4 mins]; Gareth Furlong [6 mins]; Toby Reynolds-Cotterill(GK) [16 mins]
Ireland: David Harte (GK); Luke Madeley; Tim Cross; John McKee; Matthew Nelson; Daragh Walsh; Kyle Marshall; Shane O'Donoghue; Sean Murray (C); Ben Walker; Peter Brown
Subs used: Mark McNellis [6 mins]; Jeremy Duncan [6 mins]; Michael Robson [6 mins]; Jonathan Lynch [6 mins]; Ben Johnson [6 mins]; Nicholas Page [6 mins]; Jamie Carr
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