Ireland lose to Great Britain and are relegated from Pro League

DEFEAT: This was another tough examination for Ireland men as a 3-0 defeat by Great Britain last night was coupled with Pro League relegation in their first season in world hockey’s global league. Pic: ©INPHO/Frank Uijlenbroek

This was another tough examination for Ireland men as a 3-0 defeat by Great Britain last night was coupled with Pro League relegation in their first season in world hockey’s global league.

Great Britain, coached by Paul Revington, showed superior skill, movement, pace and circle penetration to consign Ireland to their fourth Pro League defeat in a row.

Ireland’s survival hopes - they finished with three wins from 16, including twice scalping Olympic champions Belgium - had earlier ended when Spain, second from bottom in the league, beat Germany 3-0.

Yet, Ireland will be buoyed by their wins last month over Belgium before this London mini tournament wrapped up their final matches before next month’s Olympics. Coach Mark Tumilty selects his 16-strong side next week.

“We are trying to look past that [selection] and being individual was the biggest thing here. Despite the results we have stayed together,” said Ireland’s Ben Johnson.

“It’s been a really tough block compared to India and Antwerp where we had a bit more success in terms of results. We grew into the games here and we will take that into Paris.” 

Jamie Carr had earlier booted forcefully to deny GB with an early penalty corner inside two minutes. Shane O'Donoghue’s opening penalty corner saw Toby Reynolds-Cotterill force a reactionary save which then rattled off the crossbar.

Three minutes before the end of the first quarter, Carr again had to block, but this time his left boot clearance found Ward, who slammed a forehand into the backboards.

Two minutes later, GB mis-trapped another penalty corner chance, but the ball was quickly slipped to Phil Roper, who flicked home brilliantly past Carr.

Midway through the second quarter, Zach Wallace pushed into a crowded circle and Ward directed past Carr. In a tight final two quarters, Ireland had the best chance with 70 seconds left but saw a penalty corner overruled.

Meanwhile, Ireland women took a step towards a potential place in next year's Women’s Pro League in beating Korea 4-0. On Saturday, they play New Zealand in the Nations Cup semi-finals.