Latest news with #PoolA
RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Ireland edge past Italy at EuroHockey Championship II
Ireland 1-0 Italy Ireland earned a hardfought 1-0 win over Italy to make it two wins from two in Pool A of the EuroHockey Championship II in Portugal on Tuesday. Jeremy Duncan's goal in the second minute was enough to secure the victory for Ireland, who went three points clear at the top of the pool with one game to go. Ireland began brightly, winning their first penalty corner after just two minutes. Lee Cole's effort was well saved, but Duncan was on hand to follow up and find the net. Chances were few and far between for the remainder of the first half, with Italy sitting deep and crowding their circle to make things difficult for the Irish attackers. The tactic served them well, with Ireland unable to add to their one-goal lead before half-time. Despite an energetic start and a number of early circle penetrations, efforts on goal remained elusive. Two late penalty corners proved the best chances for Ireland, the first of which was deflected wide, and the second initially resulting in a penalty stroke, which was eventually overturned. The close scoreline set up a nervy final quarter for Ireland, with Italy winning a penalty corner that forced Jaime Carr into a good save. Italy continued to enjoy prolonged phases in the Irish half, but Ireland were alive to any efforts to manufacture a chance on goal. In a last-ditch effort to salvage a draw, Italy substituted their keeper in favour of an additional outfield player with three minutes left. But Ireland held out to secure the points and extend their lead at the top of Pool A. They'll play their third and final Pool A match against Portugal on Wednesday at 6pm Irish time. A draw would be enough to see Ireland secure top spot and a place in Friday's semi-finals.
Belfast Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Early strike gives Ireland victory over Italy in Portugal
Jeremy Duncan's early goal was enough to see off Italy to put them three points clear at the top of Pool A with one game remaining. Ireland began brightly, winning their first penalty corner after just two minutes. Lee Cole's effort was well saved, but Duncan was on hand to follow up and find the net. Chances were few and far between for the remainder of the first half, with Italy sitting deep and crowding their circle to make things difficult for the Irish attackers. The tactic served them well, with Ireland unable to add to their one-goal lead before half-time. Despite an energetic start and a number of early circle penetrations, efforts on goal remained elusive. Two late penalty corners proved the best chances for Ireland, the first of which was deflected wide, and the second initially resulting in a penalty stroke for Ireland, which was eventually overturned. The close scoreline set up a nervy final quarter for Ireland, with Italy winning a penalty corner that forced Jaime Carr into a good save. Italy continued to enjoy prolonged phases in the Irish half, but Ireland were alive to any efforts to manufacture a chance on goal. In a last-ditch effort to salvage a draw, Italy substituted their keeper in favour of an additional outfield player with three minutes remaining, but Ireland, held out to secure the points and extend their lead at the top of Pool A. They play their third and final Pool match against Portugal today at 6pm.
Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Ireland fightback to defeat Czechia in Portugal: ‘We made life difficult for ourselves'
Having trailed 3-1, an impressive third quarter display saw Ireland take control of the game, with Johnny McKee, Matthew Nelson and a Lee Cole brace giving Ireland a lead that they saw out to secure the win. Ireland dominated possession in the opening minutes, with Matthew Nelson's early effort deflected over the bar by the Czech defenders. McKee earned Ireland the first penalty corner of the match after Louis Rowe did well to release his Banbridge teammate on the break. Cole's effort from the corner was well saved. Czechia, however, drew first blood, breaking the deadlock just before the end of the first quarter, a deft touch in the circle from a crash ball beating Jaime Carr in the Irish net. Czechia added a second to their tally halfway through quarter 2, but Ireland pulled a goal back just before half-time thanks to some individual brilliance from Daragh Walsh. He cut inside from the right-hand side and beat two players before finding McKee on the penalty spot to strike into the back of the net. Czechia's pace on the break continued to cause Ireland problems in the second half, as they won a penalty corner after two minutes, which Ireland did well to defend initially. However, Czechia eventually found the net from the follow-up. Ireland responded immediately, McKee getting his second and a great pass from Matthew Nelson to fire in on his reverse from a tight angle. With the momentum now in their favour, Ireland launched another attack, McKee yet again getting involved with his effort at goal blocked on the line by a Czech body to win Ireland a penalty stroke, which Cole dispatched to draw Ireland level at 3-3. Sean Murray and Matthew Nelson combined to put Ireland ahead for the first time in the game, Murray weaving his way along the baseline and calmly flicking towards goal for Nelson to touch into the net. Ireland pressed immediately from the restart, with Cole eventually winning ball on the edge of the Czech circle and drawing a heavy foul to win a second penalty stroke, which he again dispatched to extend Ireland's lead to 5-3 and that was enough for victory. Speaking after the game, Ireland Head Coach Mark Tumilty said: 'We made that difficult for ourselves today. Any time they got into our circle they looked dangerous. We have enough experience in this competition to know how difficult it can be, but we need to manage those challenging patches better.' Discussing Ireland's comeback, Tumilty added: 'The positive was quarter three where we played better hockey, were more aggressive in the press, and scored some good goals.' Ireland will face Italy in their next game of Pool A on Tuesday, July 29 at 3.15pm.
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Ireland come from behind to down Czech Republic in Euro Hockey II opener
Ireland put in a big third quarter performance to come from behind and beat Czech Republic 5-3 in their EuroHockey Championship II opener in Portugal. A brace of goals each from Johnny McKee and Lee Cole, with Matthew Nelson nabbing the other, gave Ireland the victory after the Czechs had led by two goals twice in the match. After a bright start, Czech Republic scored goals in the first and second quarter before Johnny McKee got Ireland off the mark after great build-up play by Daragh Walsh. Czech Republic restored their two-goal advantage early in the third quarter but Ireland responded well as McKee scored his second shortly afterwards. McKee was busy as he earned Ireland a penalty which Lee Cole scored to draw the sides level, and the Green Machine were ahead for the first time when Matthew Nelson flicked home Sean Murray's pass. Another Lee Cole penalty pushed the gap to two with Ireland looking more likely to add a sixth than concede a fourth in the closing moments. Ireland will be back in action against Italy on Tuesday before concluding their Pool A campaign the following day against hosts Portugal, with the top two sides earning a place in Friday's semi-finals.
Telegraph
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
England v Australia: Teams and latest updates from World U20 Championship
'We were disappointed in how the last game transpired against South Africa, as we left many opportunities out there. With that said, our leadership group have rallied to refocus our players' efforts over the last three days. The squad's ownership to recognise there are big improvements to be made has been vital, as well as impressive. The squad have raised our performance levels in training and put an emphasis on refining our efficiency in the opposing 22 against what will be another strong challenge in Australia. 'A lot of these lads will go back to the Premiership, where if you lose a game, you have got to dust yourself off and get ready for the next one, and we have had that this week. Obviously, there is a bit of a shorter turnaround, and there is a bit of pressure to go and get five points. I know if these boys go and put our game on the pitch against anyone, they are capable of getting four-plus tries and five points. If they do that on Wednesday, it hopefully puts us in a great position to go into a semi-final if other things go our way.' Australia were thrashed 17-73 in the opening game by South Africa but bounced back with a 34-24 win over Scotland. They, like England, are in a similar position heading into the final group game, hoping for a favour or two. These sides met at the World Rugby U20 Championship in July 2023, with the game ending in a 22-22 draw. In the other game in Pool A, South Africa are taking on Scotland. Kick-off from Verona is at 5pm BST.
