OFF TO PARIS!
Irish heroes edge out Koreans for Olympic slot in seven goal thriller
MISSION accomplished. For only the second time in their history, Ireland men’s hockey team have qualified for the Olympic Games. Mark Tumelty’s side withstood a nervous final few minutes in a thrilling third-place play-off in Valencia to become the 12th and final team to book their ticket for the men’s tournament in Paris this summer.
Twenty-four hours after the Irish women suffered Olympic heartache to Britain at the same venue, Ireland sealed qualification as goals from Matthew Nelson, Ben Johnson, John McKee and Shane O’Donoghue were key to the 4-3 victory in a thrilling rollercoaster of a game.
Ireland were 2-0, 3-1 and 4-2 ahead at different points of this game, but in the end, they had to defend desperately, with David Harte standing tall in goals as Korea withdrew their own goalkeeper in their relentless search for a late equaliser.
It means that Ireland are back at the Olympics for the first time since Rio 2016 and what made it all the sweeter was that it was the Koreans who had denied Ireland a place at the London Games in 2012. And it was no more than they deserved for their disciplined performance.
‘I had a lot of belief in this group,’ said head coach Tumelty. ‘I did think though it might comedown to this final game before the tournament. The guys have delivered. Very pleased for the players, we had to rebuild the squad after Vancouver and this a reward for all the work they put in.
‘We have a very busy period, between now and the summer. We have the FIH Pro League, a trip to India and the games themselves in Paris. The Pro League will be 16 games against the top eight nations in the world and that in itself will be excellent preparation for the Olympic tournament.’
Ireland dominated the opening quarter and forced numerous penalty corners, with Nelson scoring from one of these in the 14th minute. Four minutes later, McKee doubled their lead and while Korea responded immediately, Ireland were still ahead after a breathless first-half, 3-2.
Ireland’s ability to withstand the Korean pressure means that they are now one of 12 teams at this summer’s big party. IRELAND: D Harte, L Madeley, S O’Donoghue, T Cross, L Cole; D Walsh, N Page, S Murray (C), J McKee, J Duncan, M Robson. Subs used: M Nelson, K Marshall, P McKibbin, J Lynch, S Hyland, B Johnson S KOREA: Kim Jaehyeon (GK), Kim Hyeonhong; Jung Manjae, Hwang Taeil, Lee Jungjun, Ji Woocheon, Kim Sunghyun, Lee Seunghoon, Kim Hyeongjin, Jang Jonghyun, Yang Jihun. Subs used: Jeong Junwoo, Park Cheoleon, Seo Inwoo, Kim Junghoo, Son Dain, Lee NamYong, Kim Jaehan