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Irish Examiner
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Ireland battle but fall short against World No.1 Netherlands in close first encounter
Netherlands 2-0 Ireland Ireland resumed their FIH Pro League season with a close encounter against World No.1 and Olympic champions the Netherlands in Amstelveen. A strong performance from a battling Ireland saw them enjoy long periods of possession and create several chances in front of goal. However, two fortunate goals for the Netherlands saw the home side secure a 2-0 win. The Netherlands threatened from early in the match, with defender Lee Cole called into action almost immediately to clear the ball off the line from an early chance. Ireland responded positively, holding possession well and managing to progress into the Dutch final third, with Ben Walker making his way into the circle, followed by a blocked shot from Alistair Empey. Ireland continued to dominate possession, but a rare chance for the Dutch called Jaime Carr into action to make a smart save. Thierry Brinkman thought he had broken the deadlock with a reverse stick shot but Ireland immediately opted to refer for backstick, which the video umpire agreed with chalking the goal off, seeing the sides end the opening quarter locked at 0-0. Early Dutch pressure again forced Ireland to defend resolutely, answering any questions asked from them. Luke Madeley responded by dribbling out of defence to break the Dutch press, allowing Ireland to mount an attack that ended in Ali Empey drawing a clumsy challenge and winning the first penalty corner of the tie. Luke Madeley's subsequent effort was well blocked by the Dutch first runner. Ireland continued to ask questions of the Dutch, with incisive runs from Fearghus Gibson and Daragh Walsh providing chances. However, a controversial penalty corner for the Netherlands offered them a chance to open the scoring, which Luke Dommershuijzen dispatched to score his first senior goal. Late pressure from the Netherlands in the first half threatened to widen the gap, but a superb block from Matthew Nelson and further defending denied them their second as the sides went into the break. Ireland got the second half underway and immediately looked to attack. Positive play in the final third led to a shot from Lee Cole inside the first minute, but his strike was deemed dangerous, and the Netherlands were given a free out. Patience in possession for Ireland continued to pay dividends, as Matthew Nelson attacked the circle and was unlucky not to get an outcome. The Netherlands, however, showed their goalscoring prowess to double their lead from their first chance of the second half, Steijn van Heijningen deflecting the ball into the net with the deftest of touches. Ireland, though, were determined to continue their positive performance, immediately winning a penalty corner which, again, the Netherlands defended well. Ireland followed this up with another well-worked attacking move which, again, the Dutch cleared. A late flurry of penalty corners before the end of the third quarter called the Irish defence into action again, denying the hosts on three occasions to keep the score at 2-0 at the end of quarter 3. The Netherlands found a higher gear in the final quarter, enjoying longer periods of pressure and manufacturing a handful of shots at goal which Jaime Carr was alive to. Ireland's determination would continue to show with Ali Empey winning Ireland their third penalty corner of the game. Lee Cole's resulting effort was saved and cleared. A penalty corner for the Netherlands inside the final five minutes offered the last moment of note of the game, with Jaime Carr again making a save, to see the game finish in a two-nil win for the Dutch, with the result seeing them extend their lead at the top of the FIH Pro League table to 7 points. The pair will meet again tomorrow, June 12, at 7pm.
RTÉ News
03-06-2025
- General
- RTÉ News
India edge Ireland to complete series win
India edged a thrilling second encounter with Ireland 2-1 at Pembroke, despite the hosts' best effort to draw level in the closing minutes. After losing the opening match in the series on Monday 4-0, the Irish came out of the blocks quickly. Early periods of possession allowed the hosts to settle into the game and produce chances. India, however, eventually producing a number of circle entries late in the opening quarter, but Ireland defended soundly to keep it scoreless The first penalty corner of the game would go the way of India in the subsequent corner, with Harmanpreet Singh's drag-flick deflected wide by the Irish defensive penalty corner team. Ireland responded, winning a penalty corner of their own which was well saved off Luke Madeley. The resulting long corner saw India steal the ball and break quickly, eventually breaking the deadlock when Lakra Shilanand finished off the smooth counter-attacking move. Ireland's intensity continued into the second half as they looked to find a route back into the game. Sustained pressure and good counter-pressing kept India pegged back deep in their own half for long periods as the Irish looked to break their way into the Indian circle. A rare attack from the visitors gave them an opportunity at goal which they didn't squander, Dulpreet deflecting home on the back post to double their lead. The home side responded almost immediately, however. An attacking move down the left almost straight from tip-off saw an inviting ball into the circle reach Louis Rowe, the Banbridge forward did well to find an inch of space and flick goalwards, squeezing the ball into the side netting It was almost exclusively one-way traffic in the final quarter, with Ireland throwing every remaining ounce of energy at India as they searched for an equaliser. An incisive run from Mark McNellis and clever piece of skill won Ireland a late penalty corner and a golden opportunity to equalise with just seconds remaining. Luke Madeley's effort from the corner looked destined to end up in the back of the net, but the attempt was parried wide thanks to a textbook save from the India keeper. Both sides will now travel to Amstelveen to face the Netherlands in their next stage of the FIH Pro League. Ireland will face the Dutch on 11/12 June at 7pm (Irish time).
Irish Independent
03-06-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Ireland go down battling to India in thrilling second game of two-match series
The Olympic bronze medalists and world number five ranked nation managed to hold onto their 2-1 lead as Ireland fought to draw level in the closing minutes. Ireland's second encounter against India on home soil saw them come out of the blocks quickly as they looked to improve on the performance from the previous day. Early periods of possession allowed Ireland to settle into the game and produce chances. India did, however, managed to work themselves into the game eventually producing a number of circle entries late in the opening quarter, but Ireland defended soundly to keep the scoreline level. The first penalty corner of the game would go the way of India in quarter two, with Harmanpreet Singh's drag-flick deflected wide by the Irish defensive penalty corner team. Ireland responded, winning a penalty corner of their own which was well saved off Luke Madeley. The resulting long corner saw India steal the ball and break quickly, eventually breaking the deadlock when Lakra Shilanand finished off the smooth counter attacking move. Ireland's intensity continued into the second half as they looked to find a route back into the game. Sustained pressure and good counter-pressing kept India pegged back deep in their own half for long periods as Ireland looked to break their way into the Indian circle. A rare India attack gave them an opportunity at goal which they didn't squander, Dulpreet deflecting home on the back post to double their lead. ADVERTISEMENT The home side responded almost immediately, however. An attacking move down the left almost straight from tip-off saw an inviting ball into the circle reach Louis Rowe, the Banbridge forward did well to find an inch of space and flick goalwards, squeezing the ball into the side-netting to grab Ireland's first goal and half the deficit. It was almost exclusively one-way traffic in the final quarter, with Ireland throwing every remaining ounce of energy at India as they searched for an equaliser. An incisive run from Mark McNellis and clever piece of skill won Ireland a late penalty corner and a golden opportunity to equalise with just seconds remaining. Luke Madeley's effort from the corner looked destined to end up in the back of the net, but the attempt was parried wide thanks to a textbook save from the India keeper. India walked away as 2-1 victors. Both Ireland and India will now travel to Amstelveen to face the Netherlands in their next stage of the FIH Pro League. Ireland will face the Dutch on June 11 and 12 at 7pm Irish time, with both games available to watch on the TG4 player.
