The Irish men cranked back into gear with a crushing 11-0 win over Singapore in Le Touquet yesterday to grab top spot from their group and advance directly to Saturday’s Men’s FIH Series semi-finals where victory will secure their place in October’s Olympic qualifiers.

Shane O’Donoghue equalled the Irish goalscoring record with a glorious 13th-minute volley but was left wishing the effort would have had much greater significance in yesterday’s Men’s Hockey World Cup opener against Australia in Bhubaneswar.

John Jermyn marked his 179th and final international cap in fantastic style as his goal secured Ireland a 1-1 draw against France in Garryduff yesterday.

John Jermyn is set to receive the perfect send-off to his international hockey career this evening as he lines out one last time for Ireland at his home ground of Garryduff against France.

John Jermyn is set to receive the perfect send-off to his international hockey career this evening as he lines out one last time for Ireland at his home ground of Garryduff against France.

As Irish hockey puts to bed one of the most memorable years in its history, the men’s national team will hope to break even more new ground in 2016.

While Ireland’s men are still riding high on the back of Olympic qualification, the same can’t be said of South Africa.

Ireland coach Craig Fulton will be taking on some familiar faces this afternoon as his men’s senior team play South Africa on day one of the London Cup.

Ireland 2 England 1 - Senior men’s hockey