Frustration for fighting Irish

Ireland pushed world number five England hard, but ultimately fell in a shoot-out after drawing yesterday’s men’s Investec Cup final 2-2 in London.

Conor Harte and Jonathan Bell led a spirited defensive performance, as Ireland learned lessons from a 4-1 defeat to the hosts in the pool stages.

They also twice came from behind to level, first through a Eugene Magee wonder strike before Alan Sothern teed up Mitch Darling to equalise two minutes from time.