Ireland 2 (C Cargo, J Jackson) Netherlands 7 (M van der Weerden 2, B Bakker, M Prusyer, J Hertzbeger, V Verga, J Croon Fatigue looked to play a part as Ireland fell 7-2 to world number two side the Netherlands in their Fexco challenge match at the Mardyke, their third game in three days and sixth in eight days all told.

Throw in a flight from Valencia to Cork on Sunday evening and the second half downfall was understandable.

The first quarter was scoreless while Ireland enjoyed sustained second quarter pressure before Mink van der Weerden broke the deadlock from a corner in the 25th minute.

Jeroen Hertzberger and Chris Cargo traded goals to leave it 2-1 to the Dutch at the break but three goals between the 40th and 42nd minute killed off the battle.

John Jackson did get one back in the closing stages but the Dutch closed out the win with plenty to spare, 17-year-old wonder kid Jorrit Croon scoring his first international goal at the death.

Ireland meet the Dutch again on Wednesday evening at the Mardyke in their final pre-Olympic game before departing for Rio de Janeiro on July 17th.

IRELAND: D Harte, J Jackson, R Gormley, C Cargo, J Jermyn, E Magee, P Caruth, M Darling, T Cockram, P Glegorne, C Harte

Subs: J Bell, M Watt, K Shimmins, S O’Donoghue, M Bell, K Good