HOCKEY:Shane O'Donoghue's hat-trick of low drag-flicks powered Ireland to victory over China yesterday in the FIH World League Round Two 2013, a result which ensures they qualify for the next phase of the competition and a step closer to World Cup 2014.
They were in control for most of the game, making the early running before Peter Brown – with his second goal of the tournament – got on the end of a smart Stuart Loughrey cross at the back post to get the green machine up and running. Ireland held possession for long periods thereafter and took the sting out of the game on the half-time hooter when O’Donoghue netted his first goal.
O’Donoghue hit the backboard four minutes after the turnaround and the victory was complete from the same source in the 50th minute.
Coach Andrew Meredith said: “Just one goal separated us from the side that finished first, who knows what might have happened if we were more effective from our corners?”
Finishing in the top two means Ireland qualify for round three of the World League where 12 of the 16 entrants will qualify for the 2014 World Cup.
IRELAND: D Harte, J Jackson, G McCabe, R Gormley, M Watt, E Magee, M Darling, P Maguire, P Gleghorne, S Loughrey, S O’Donoghue. Subs: C Cargo, A Sothern, B McCandless, C Harte, P Brown, D Carson, D Fitzgerald.
