Ireland men get World Cup qualification bid off to winning start with victory over Canada

Both sides shaking hands ahead of the match. Pic: INPHO/Rodrigo Jaramillo

Ireland 5 Canada 2 

The Ireland Men’s Hockey Team got their bid for FIH Hockey World Cup qualification off to a flying start with a 5-2 victory over Canada on Sunday. 

The side had to stave off a late Canada push, but goals from Lee Cole, Adam McAllister, Jonny Lynch and Jeremy Duncan were enough to secure a comfortable victory in Santiago.

Canada were quick out of the blocks, winning the game’s first penalty corner inside the opening minute which called goalkeeper Jaime Carr into early action. Ireland settled well, dominating possession and territory, eventually working the ball well to Matthew Nelson whose effort on goal went just wide of the near post. Jeremy Duncan had a chance soon after, getting on the end of a ball across the circle but his deflection went just wide.

Ireland eventually got their goal, Adam McAllister getting the first goal of the qualifiers as his pushed effort snuck into the bottom corer.

Ben Walker was the next player in green to test the Canadian resolve after another excellent attacking move, but Canada goalkeeper Ethan McTavish did well to parry the ball away.

Ireland carried their momentum into the second quarter with Greg Williams winning Ireland their first penalty corner, which Williams flicked, but his effort was saved. A second came Ireland’s way with Walker in the middle of it, turning well on the edge of the circle to find space and flicking at the back post where Jonny Lynch was on hand to provide the final touch.

Ben Walker remained a danger, coming within millimetres of grabbing a goal of his own after controlling an aerial in the circle from Sean Murray and lifting the ball around McTavish, but the ball trickled just wide. Ireland went into half-time with a two-goal lead.

A positive start to the second half saw Ireland win an early penalty corner, Ben Walker once again in the middle of the action. Greg Williams was the option again, but a smart save denied him his first senior goal.

Canada though remained lively, stepping their press up in an effort to disrupt the Irish rhythm, but Ireland showed their composure to continuously pick them apart.

Ireland’s continued attacking pressure paid off once again, with Greg Williams driving into the circle and finding Jeremy Duncan. With his back to goal, Duncan pulled the ball through his own legs and into the bottom corner to score Ireland’s third.

Canada pulled a goal back early in the final quarter from a penalty corner to give them a glimmer of hope in the closing stages. Ireland quickly cancelled it out through a Lee Cole penalty corner to restore their three-goal cushion. But Canada answered back, getting their second of the game from open play.

Ireland, though responded yet again, attacking with real intent down the left flank. Jonny Lynch found Adam McAllister in the circle who drew the foul from the Canadian defender to win a penalty stroke, which Lee Cole dispatched to seal a 5-2 win for Ireland.

The Ireland Women’s hockey team will begin their qualification campaign next, playing Malaysia on Monday at 6pm Irish time.

The Ireland Men are next in action on Tuesday, when they meet Korea at 2.15pm Irish time.