Ireland edge out Canada

Ireland’s men can look forward to a summer Olympic qualification campaign after securing their place in June’s World League 3.

The Green Machine, needing to finish in the top three at World League 2 in San Diego to advance to the competition’s third round, where the berths for Rio 2016 will be doled out, edged a tense semi-final against Canada — ranked one place above them at 14th in the world — 2-0 on Saturday. The tournament’s two top-ranked sides played out a tense opening half with David Harte having to stand tall to bat away some chances before two Shane O’Donoghue short corner goals in as many minutes turned the game in Ireland’s favour.

Chris Cargo won his 100th cap for Craig Fulton’s men, who were due to take on Austria — whom they defeated 3-1 in the pool stages — in the final late last night.