Spain defeat leaves Ireland men's Hockey team facing play-off to reach Olympics

Spain qualified for this summer’s Olympics with a deserved 2-0 victory to consign Mark Tumilty’s side to a play-off match against Belgium or Korea on Sunday.

PLAY-OFF BOUND: Lee Cole of Ireland in action against Alejandro Alonso of Spain. Photo by Manuel Queimadelos/Sportsfile

Ireland men followed their women counterparts into a weekend win or bust match for Paris 2024 after Spain qualified for this summer’s Olympics with a deserved 2-0 victory.

In a telling four-minute spell in the third quarter, Rafael Vilallonga and captain Marc Miralles scored from penalty corner hits to consign Mark Tumilty’s side to a play-off match against Belgium or Korea on Sunday.

A match which started in torrential rain saw Ireland play a strong opening quarter before Spain found rhythm and dominant possession to keep their record of qualifying for every Olympics since 1960 intact.

In a tentative opening on a slippery surface, a Spanish slap into the Irish circle was fed to Enrique Gonzalez, but a tracking Kyle Marshall was on hand as the first chance was cleared.

Spain’s quick hands and offloading nearly yielded the opening goal. Four quick passes and a route across goal nearly let in Ignacio Rodriguez at the far post, with David Harte going to ground.

With the last move of the first quarter, Harte then launched a telling tackle on Jose Basterra who tumbled over the Cork stopper.

Penalty corner chances were going to be crucial with the heightened stakes and Ireland won the first early in the second quarter. Lee Cole’s belligerent flick was direct and parried away by Luis Calzado’s left glove.

Spain, who hadn’t lost to Ireland in 10 matches stretching back to 2017, were throwing plenty of attacking third aerials as the quarter wore on. It was a period they dominated with intelligent ball retention.

Ireland’s Luke Madeley with Marc Reyne of Spain. Pic Credit: Frank Uijlenbroek, Inpho.

Their first penalty corner arrived in the third quarter and went wide. Three minutes later, a baseline pass fell to Marc Reyne who missed the ball completely with only Harte to beat. However, a free out was awarded.

A second corner in the 35th minute was dragged to Harte’s left post where post man Cole stick saved brilliantly on the line. It dropped in front of goal and Vilallonga managed to push the ball past three Irish defenders.

Spain doubled their lead four minutes later with another telling corner strike when Miralles struck again to Harte’s left. Cole again saved on the line but this time could only deflect over the line.

Ireland pressed towards the end of a telling quarter and Calzado was forced into a double save.

The Green Machine made hay on the left flanks in the final 15 minutes. Four times the Irish found themselves in the circle, each time breaking down as the umpire signalled for a free out.

With three minutes left, an Ireland penalty corner saw Shane O’Donoghue find Calzado’s pads. He had a second offering on the rebound but Calzado was equal to it. The weekend could not be more crucial for Irish hockey.