Ireland 1 England 5
Ireland lost the third and final encounter of their men's hockey series against England as the visitors simply outclassed their opponents in Dublin today.
Ironically, it was Ireland who seized the early initiative from a penalty corner, which Stephen Butler converted in the third minute. For the next 20 minutes the hosts held their own until the inevitable equaliser came from England's Dave Mathews.
As if to rub salt in the wounds, Ireland went into the break a goal down after conceding a penalty corner in the final minute of the first half, with Mathews converting his second score of the game.
From there England came out determined to put the game beyond Ireland's reach. Rob Moore scored from open play in the 51st minute and a fourth from Brett Garrard in the 63rd consigned Ireland to their third defeat of the series.
Barry Middelton put the icing on the cake three minutes later as England completed the 5-1 rout.
Middleton was later named the English player of the series while Justin Sherriff was the choice from the Ireland camp.
Teams
Ireland: Nigel Henderson, Paddy Brown, Jason Black, David Smyth, Errol Lutton, Stephen Butler, Chris Jackson, Justin Sherriff, Andy Barbour, Nigel Buttimer, John Jermyn. Subs used: Gordon Elliott, Mark Irwin, Mark Raphael, David Hobbs.
England: Jimi Lewis, Robert Todd, Dave Mathews, Mark Pearn, Jimmy Wallis, Brett Garrard, Andy West, Ben Hawes, Barry Middleton, Martin Jones, Mike Johnson Subs used: Simon Mason, John Peckett, Craig Parnham, Rob Moore, Danny Hall.
Umpires: Colin Hutchinson (Irl), Robert Graham (England)