Ireland's hockey men succumb to Australia in second defeat in Paris

The Irish mantra in Paris has been about front-foot hockey and not to be put thrust into periods of defensive work. A tall order as one of the lowest-ranked teams here.

SECOND DEFEAT: Ireland’s Sean Murray acknowledges the crowd after the game.

After going down 2-1 to Australia on Monday morning, Ireland men have now faced both Tokyo Olympic finalists in their opening two games. But this was a gritty, hard-working defeat against the Kookaburras, one which will give the Green Machine plenty of heart heading into their final three games, needing to win at least two to qualify for the knock-out stages.

A punishing encounter in sultry Colombes, an area rich in industry, saw Ireland succumb to a penalty corner and penalty stroke, while Lee Cole’s first-half thunder bolt from the set piece kept them in the game despite mounting Australia pressure here.