Ireland target top-flight return

Ireland 4 Russia 1

In sweltering conditions, the Irish easily saw off the pool’s whipping boys and now face a semi-final tomorrow against Pool B runners-up Austria. Wales finished second in Pool A after beating Belarus and play the Czech Republic in the other semi-final.

Three Stephen Butler goals, and a Mark Gleghorne penalty corner secured victory for the Irish but it took a “severe bollocking” at half-time from coach Dave Passmore to fire the Irish into top gear. Vice-captain Jason Black admitted afterwards that the Irish had played very poorly in the opening period and the performance had not impressed the coach.