Irish hammer Swiss at Hockey Euro Cup

Ireland's men booked themselves a play-off for ninth place in the European Nations Cup after hammering Switzerland 5-2.

Pembroke Wanderers’ forward Justin Sherriff took his tally for the tournament to six in as many games with a brace with Mark Irwin also scoring twice.

Sherriff was on target as early as the seventh minute when he converted a penalty corner and Irwin, of Instonians, doubled the advantage before Oliver Bilgerig pulled one back before half-time.

When Thierry Grandchamp scored from a set-piece four minutes after the interval Ireland knew they had a fight on their hands but responded well through Irwin and Annadale’s Chris Jackson to restore the two-goal cushion with 14 minutes to go.

Fittingly Sherriff, Ireland’s leading scorer in Barcelona, scored again 10 minutes from time to secure victory and a play-off against Italy.