Shane equals goal record as Irish test title holders
SHANE O’Donoghue became Ireland’s joint top all-time scorer when he knocked in the 93rd goal in his international career yesterday ... and the fact that it was against world champions Australia made it all the sweeter.
Unfortunately the Kookaburras went on to win 2-1 in the opening Pool B game at Bhubaneswar in India, but the fact that the Green Machine kept the score down to a single goal was in itself a major achievement.
In fact it could well prove critical at the end of the pool phase if goal difference was to come into play, as there is every possibility that the Aussies can beat both England and China by higher margins later in the programme.
Irish coach Alexander Cox was understandably proud of his players for the way they managed the game against the World No.1 nation.
Ulstermen Paul Gleghorne Jonathan Bell and Matthew Bell, along with Munster’s Conor Harte, put their bodies on the line while Conor’s twin brother, goalkeeper David, pulled off several crucial saves. And at the other end there was an immense performance from Lisnagarvey’s Matthew Nelson while you would hardly have known that Banbridge’s Eugene Magee had broken two fingers as he chased everything.
“Our players put their bodies on the line for the result today,” admitted Cox afterwards.
“We always knew it was going to be a physical game against the World No.1 and although it wasn’t the result we wanted, I’m very proud of everyone who gave their all and were in the game right until the final whistle.”
Outstanding defender Jonathan Bell agreed: “I think we put in a great performance but obviously didn’t get the result.
“By and large I thought we executed our game plan pretty well but we still have some improvements to make before a big game against China on Tuesday.”
Yes, indeed they surprised the title holders with the quality of their play. And it was interesting to see the world champions taking the ball into the corner to run down two minutes right at the death whereas the Irish were prepared to substitute their goalkeeper for an extra outfield player in a bid to force an equaliser!
The Irish almost stole an early lead when Jonathan Bell’s run set up chances for Sean Murray and Matthew Nelson, which keeper Andrew Charter saved, but in the 11th minute Blake Govers fired home a powerful penalty corner which spun off Harte’s glove.
But the floodgates didn’t open — instead the Irish were level within two minutes when Ulsterman Murray glided through the middle to set up O’Donoghue and he flicked the ball into the air and batted it past the keeper to equal John Jermyn’s record of 93 international goals.
The Irish defence did have to ride their luck as the Australian pressure began to build, and Harte saved with his glove from Dylan Wotherspoon while Gleghorne scrambled the ball off the line after close range efforts from David Beale and Trent Mitton.
But the winning goal came three minutes into the third quarter when Corry Weyer’s pass opened the Irish defence and Tim Brand fired home the rebound after Harte blocked.
Jonathan Bell then took another penalty corner off the line, deflecting the ball away from just under the crossbar, but Alan Sothern squandered a great opportunity at the other end when O’Donoghue cut open the Australian defence, the ball running under his stick and out to safety.
Next up is China on Tuesday, a must-win game against a team that produced the first shock with a 2-2 draw against England.
It certainly will be a different looking Ireland team to face the Asian side ... the Irish players are set to shave off their moustaches which they had been growing in aid of the Movember charity!