MEN'S HOCKEY/Russia 2 Ireland 1:Paul Revington's side let go a one-goal advantage to lose top spot in Pool A to Russia at the EuroHockey Nations Trophy in Wrexham today. They are still through to the last four, but will now play the winners of Pool B in Thursday's semi-final.
Ireland took to the field on a day that had a number of milestones attached to it, with Munster’s John Jermyn winning his 100th cap while it was the country’s 700th international hockey match since a clash against Wales in Rhyl in 1895.
Goalkeeper David Harte came to Ireland’s rescue on a number of occasions in the first half, and despite both sides creating opportunities, it remained deadlocked at the interval.
Ireland finally broke the deadlock in the 50th minute when Eugene Magee weaved in to find space to fire a shot. The lead lasted just two minutes when lack of discipline in the Irish camp upgraded a Russian free hit to a penalty corner, which proved costly as Nilolay Yaakun dragged home to level matters.
Peter Caruth was sin-binned in the closing stages and with just five minutes to go Russia took the lead through Alexander Korol’s drag low into the corner.
Ireland frantically searched for the equaliser and had a gilt-edged chance in the 68th minute but Jermyn’s attempt was palmed away by the Russian goalkeeper.
Revington was far from happy with his side’s showing after they had built up momentum. “This was a very disappointing result and performance. The timing of the performance was not good for us moving into the business end of the tournament. We will need to make some big individual and collective improvements before the next game.”